Made in God's Image: Genesis 1

“How Do I Help My Child Feel Confident in Who God Made Them to Be?”

It doesn’t take long for kids to start asking the big questions. “Why am I here?” “Am I
good enough?” “What makes me special?” The world offers a thousand competing
answers. But the Bible gives a powerful and foundational truth: Your child was made
in God’s image. When kids grasp this truth, it can reshape how they see
themselves—and how they treat others.

Big Idea:

Your child is created in the image of God, with value, purpose, and dignity that no
one can take away.

Scripture Summary: In the Beginning, God Made Humans Different

Genesis 1 walks us through the creation of the world, light, sky, land, stars, animals.
Everything God made was good. But on the sixth day, something unique happened.
God said “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness.” (Genesis 1:26)
No other part of creation was described this way. Humans alone were created to reflect
God's nature, to bear His image. This means your child was made to show the world
something about God’s character. Love. Creativity. Justice. Leadership. Compassion. Verse 27 emphasizes the point, “So God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.”

This image-bearing identity is shared by every boy and girl, no matter their gifts,
personality, or background. God also gave humans a purpose, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion...” (v. 28)

This doesn’t just mean raising kids or ruling animals. It means living intentionally as
caretakers of God’s world, making decisions that reflect His wisdom and heart.
Finally, God steps back and calls His creation “very good.” That includes your child.
Their identity and worth were established not by their performance but by God’s design.

How to Teach This at Home

Here are three simple ways to help your child internalize this truth:

1. Remind them: “You were made on purpose.” Say it often. Write it on their mirror. Help your child understand that they are not an accident. They were designed by a loving Creator to reflect Him in the world.
2. Help them see God’s image in others. Point out ways different people, classmates, neighbors, even siblings show parts of God’s character. This reinforces that every person has dignity and is worthy of respect.
3. Connect actions to identity. When your child is tempted to follow the crowd or doubt their worth, remind them: “You are made in God’s image. Let’s make choices that reflect Him.” It reframes discipline and encouragement around their core identity.

How This Points to Jesus

The image of God in us was marred by sin, but not erased. Jesus came as the perfect
image of God (Colossians 1:15) to restore what was broken. Through His life, death,
and resurrection, He makes it possible for us to be renewed in His image again.
When kids trust in Jesus, they’re not just saved from sin. They’re invited into a new
life, where we become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), impowered by the Holy Spirit to begin truly living as image bearers of God. 

Want help teaching your kids one story at a time?

Download our free [Foundations Sample Pack] and start this week. It’s a simple way
to help your kids build confidence in who God is—and who He created them to be.