SMA Family Faith Formation

Lesson 2 2024: Made in God’s Image

This page is for SMA Family Faith Formation Catechists only. Content for this lesson is linked below.

Summary of Lesson

The Bible and the Creed tell us that God created all things… including us! All of creation is a gift from God, and when we enjoy nature – like the beach or the mountains or animals – we can thank God for giving us such great treasures. In a special way, every human being is made in the image of God. THis doesn’t mean that we look like him but that we have characteristics inside each of us that reflect God – that are God’s same characteristics like the ability to be good, to pray, to help others, and to be creative! This link to God gives us a very special dignity and worth. The first sin of Adam and Eve and everyone’s sin after that tarnishes this image, but God still sees us as his own, love us, and promises to save us.

Lesson Bullet Points:

  • God created all things, including human beings.
  • In a special way, all people are made in God’s image.
  • We have characteristics inside of us that “reflect” God.
  • God’s image, though, can be “stained” by sin.
  • God reaches out to us even if we have sinned.

Scripture Passage: Genesis 1:27

“God created mankind in His image; in the image of God He created them; male and female He created them.”

Discussion Prompts/Questions:

  1. What is one thing in nature that inspires you to think of God?
  2. What does it mean that we are made in God’s image?
  3. What is a time when you saw the image of God reflected in someone else?
  4. What makes it hard to see God’s image in myself or others?
  5. How should we treat each other if we are made in God’s image?
  6. What makes us different from the rest of creation, plants and animals?

Saint of the Month: St. Therese of Lisieux (Feast Day: October 1st)

Saint Therese of Lisieux teaches us how to “reflect” God. She grew up in a very holy family and wanted to follow in her sisters’ footsteps and be a nun. Even from when she was young, she tried to live like a saint, but was sometimes disappointed in her own weaknesses. She learned to trust God and to rely on his strength – not her own – to become holy. She focused on doing little things with great love.

Catechist Resources

  • Lesson 3 Parent Essay: “Made in His Image, but Fallen from Grace” (Included)
  • Lesson 4 Parent Essay: “Called to be His People, Promised a Savior” (Included)
  • Ch. 6 of the Adult Catechism of the Catholic Church: “Man and Woman in the Beginning” (pp 65-75) (Included)

Songs & Videos

Games/Activities

  • Have the students make a representation of themselves out of play-dough and talk about what it means to create something. Ask them if they can make their play-dough selves come to life?
  • Common Denominator: Bring a can of corn and at least 5 of the following items (white glue, lipstick, wax paper, liquid hand soap, glass cleaner, toothpaste, matches, licorice, diaper). Have the students guess what these things have in common. Hold up one of the items kids found hardest to believe. Say: But this…this just doesn’t seem like it’s made of corn, does it? All these things look different and perform different functions. Even though they’re all made of corn, you shouldn’t eat any of them for dinner…besides the canned corn! And yet, even though they’re all different, they’re all made with one of the same ingredients. Discuss how God’s likeness is our “common denominator”.
  • Follow the Leader Round Circle: Sit in a circle. Send one student out in the hallway. With the rest of the students, pick a “leader”. This leader will start an action (like clapping hands, or pretending to brush hair) and everyone else will have to copy. The leader will have to try *not* to make it obvious that they are the leader. The student in the hall comes back and tries to guess who the leader is, once everyone starts the actions. Once the leader is identified, switch who guesses and who is the leader. Have a discussion about how we should imitate God.

Crafts

  • Creation Coloring Accordion Ball (here)
  • Creation Brad Wheel (here)
  • Days of Creation One Page (here)
  • Days of Creation Paste Items (here)
  • Creation Cartoon (here)
  • St. Therese Coloring Page (here)
  • Image of God fingerprint craft (below):

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