Further Study

Review Questions

These questions are designed to help you review important material covered in the lecture.

1. What is the nature of our office as the “image of God”? Where is the nature of our role first introduced and explained in Genesis?
2. How did images of false gods function in biblical times? How would this cultural practice have affected the way Moses’ audience interpreted Genesis 1:27?
3. Scripture tells us that we are the image and likeness of the one true God. Using biblical references, explain what this means, especially in regard to our office as “image of God.”
4. What are “moral attributes”? How were our moral attributes damaged by the Fall, and how are they being restored?
5. Give evidence from Scripture of ways in which some of our rational abilities were lost in our fall into sin. What does Paul tell us in Colossians about the restoration of our rational abilities?
6. What does it mean to us, as God’s images, that only Adam is reported to have received his soul by God directly breathing it into him?
7. When God created humanity, he entered into a covenant relationship with us. List and explain three aspects of this covenant relationship that are specific to our role as God’s images.
8. What does Scripture tell us about the nature of our relationship with other human beings? Use specific references to support your answer.
9. Explain what is meant by the “cultural mandate” in Genesis 1:28. What responsibilities did God give human beings, and what does this teach us about how we are to treat the earth and its creatures?

Application Questions

Application questions are appropriate for written assignments or as topics for group discussions. For written assignments, it is recommended that answers not exceed one page in length.

1. What can we learn about ourselves from the fact that we’ve been created in God’s image?
2. God allowed Adam and Eve to participate in the work he began at creation. What does this suggest about the significance of our vocations, as well as our roles within our families and society?
3. What idols can you identify in your surrounding culture? Which of these do you also see in your own life?
4. In John 14:9, Jesus said, “Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father.” How does your knowledge of Jesus as the perfect image of God help you better understand who God is?
5. What does it mean to you personally that God has appointed you as a vice-regent to rule over creation on his behalf? How does this influence the way you minister to others?
6. Give some specific examples of ways that God has begun to renew and restore your moral and rational abilities since you came to faith in Christ. How can you use your experience to help those around you grow as believers?
7. It is an enormous task to reflect God’s character. How does God’s law guide us in this task? How can we reflect God’s character even after we break God’s law?
8. We are called to promote dignity and justice for all human beings. What does this teach you about the way you should treat those around you who are unbelievers?
9. Subduing the earth may look a bit different today than it did for Adam and Eve. How are you fulfilling the cultural mandate in your own life and time?
10. What is the most significant thing you learned in this lesson?