Made to reflect

01 · GATHER ROUND

Start with a question.

“Have you ever noticed someone who laughs, talks, or looks just like their mom, dad, or grandparent? What was it that matched?”

Family resemblances are a fun way in. If family connections are tender for your kids, ask about friends or characters who “take after” someone instead.

03 · OPEN THE BIBLE

The moon’s borrowed light.

On a clear night, the moon can be so bright that it makes shadows on the ground. But here’s a secret: the moon doesn’t make any light of its own. None! It’s a big, dusty rock. It shines because sunlight bounces off it. When you see the moon glowing, you’re really seeing the light of the sun.

The very first chapter of the Bible tells us that God made people in his own image. An image is a likeness—something that shows what someone is like. God didn’t make us to be God. He made us to reflect him, the way the moon reflects the sun. When we love, create, tell the truth, and care for others, we show a little of what God is like.

Genesis also says God made people male and female. Boys and girls, men and women—all are made in God’s image, all are precious to him, and all get to show his goodness to the world. No one is a spare. No one is an extra.

Why did God make us this way? To glorify him. To glorify means to show how great and good someone is. The moon doesn’t shine to show off how amazing the moon is. Its light points us to the sun. We were made to point to God.

Being made in God’s image changes how we see other people, too. The kid who is different from you, the grandpa who moves slowly, the baby who can’t do anything yet—every one of them bears God’s image. That means every person deserves kindness and respect, even the ones who are hard to love.

Sin has smudged the reflection. We don’t show God the way we were made to. But Jesus came to rescue his people and make them shine again, and he helps us reflect God a little more each day. So when you look in the mirror this week, remember: you were made on purpose, for a purpose.

04 · WONDER TOGETHER

Let’s talk about it.

1. What are some ways people can show what God is like—his kindness, creativity, or truthfulness?
2. Who is someone that others sometimes overlook? How could you treat them as someone made in God’s image?
3. What’s the difference between shining to show off and shining to point to someone else?

Try answering one yourself first. “I don’t know yet” is a fine place to start a conversation.

06 · TALK TO GOD

Let’s pray.

Creator God, thank you for making us in your image, on purpose and with love. Thank you that every person we meet is precious to you. Forgive us for the times we try to shine for ourselves. Help us reflect your kindness and truth, and help us see your image in every face, especially the ones others overlook. Amen.

Then invite everyone to add one thing they want to tell God.

07 · MAKE IT STICK

A little truth to learn by heart.

Draw a family portrait—stick figures are perfect. Around the edge of the frame, write this week’s answer in big letters. Hang it where everyone will see it, and each time you pass it, read one phrase aloud until you can say the whole thing without looking.