Break the ice. Who do you think you look like? (A parent? A cousin? A movie star?)

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Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, according to our likeness. They will rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, the livestock, the whole earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.” ~ Genesis 1:26

Jesus came into Galilee, proclaiming the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.” ~ Mark 1:14-15

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation. ~ 2 Corinthians 5:17-18

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Discuss the text. Oftentimes in January, we consider the gospel work we are to do while waiting for Jesus Christ to return. As a church, we want to celebrate God's gift of life, commemorate lives lost to abortion and educate to fight against modern-day slavery. As Christ’s followers, God commissions us into this Imago Dei work. As his ministers of reconciliation, we are to be participants in this work, not spectators.

1. What did you find yourself thinking about and/or feeling after the service on Sunday?
2. Did you stop by one of the tables and talk with someone from IJM, Real Options, Human Coalition or Refugee Relief? Will you tell us about that conversation?
3. What do you think Jesus meant when he said, “The kingdom of God is at hand.”
4. An easy application question might be, how will you get involved in the fight to end slavery, sex trafficking or abortion? But a better question to ask might be, are you in love with Jesus? If you are, describe how your heart reflects God’s heart and his kingdom about these injustices.
5. How can you live your life in the present with the future kingdom in view?

Close in prayer. Let’s spend a couple of minutes in silence, meditating on the words, “in our image.” Praise God for making you in his likeness. Ask God to show you how to love other image bearers as he loves them. Ask God for courage and a kingdom-focused heart to get involved in Imago Dei work.