Genesis 1:27- 2:7

WHO AM I?
Mans Identity, Nature and Responsibilities
Intro: In the previous lesson, we looked at creation as a whole. Today, we look at man. What is he made of? What is his
nature? What is expected of him? Who are we really? For us to live a meaningful life on earth, these questions need to
be answered.
Read Genesis 1:27- 27
A. Mans Identity
From Genesis 1:27 and Psalm 139:14, we see that man is the handiwork of God, fearfully and wonderfully made.
1. In what ways can we say that man is wonderfully made? For instance, many so-called inventions of man
are patterned after parts of the human body. Give examples.
# Every part of man is wonderfully made. Many so-called inventions of man are patterned after parts of
the human body. Ex: a) cameras are patterned after eyes, b) Computers are patterned after human brains.
Computers can do calculations, but still cannot do creative thinking c) pumps are patterned after hearts. The
human heart pumps blood non-stop every minute of the day, every day of the year without resting or repair,
outlasting most household pumps.
2. How valuable is man?
The value of a masterpiece of art depends on who created it. Give examples of the masterpieces of art that
you have heard of, and their relative worth. Since man is made by God Himself, what is mans worth?
# the value of the masterpiece depends on who created it. A painting by Juan Luna is valued in millions of
pesos. A painting by Picasso, Michael Angelo and Da Vinci is worth millions of dollars. Since our God our
creator is God Himself, our value is beyond priceless.
3. Since we are the handiwork of God, fearfully and wonderfully made, we are precious in Gods sight. And
each of us is unique. There is only one (fill in your name) in the world. Sometimes people have the tendency
to compare themselves with others. Should we do so? Why or why not?
# avoid comparing ourselves to a different person because we are uniquely created by our God.
4. Why is it important for us to accept ourselves as we are, with gladness and dignity?
# because we are handiwork of God Himself. We need to have a wholesome self-image in order for us to
have joy, and become a channel of Gods blessing to others. If we feel bad about ourselves, our negative
attitude colors the way we think and feel, and it will drag down our whole person. In addition, we are
insulting God for making us the way we are. (Ex. Mga taong mahilig magpa-retoke ng mukha ot parte ng
katawan).
B. Mans Nature
1. What do you learn regarding mans nature from the key words of the following passages?
a. in the image of God (1:27)
Godbreathed (2:7)
b. dust of the ground (2:7)
# Man is a spiritual being. He made in Gods image, and God breathed life into him.
2. a. How is man different from angels?
# Angels are pure spiritual beings. They dont have bodies.
c. How is man different from animals?
# Animals are pure earthly beings, they do not have spirits, so they cannot communicate with God. Man
in the only being with a double nature. He is both a spiritual being and an earthly being.

Application
1. Since man is a spiritual being, what are the implications in his life if he gains everything the world has to offer
but do not have God in his life? See also Matthew 16:26
# Blaise Pascal said, There is a God-shaped vacuum in the heart of every man which cannot be filled by any
created things, but only God, the creator, made known through Jesus.
Are you still searching for something? Perhaps you dont even know what you are searching for, but you know
something is missing, then COME TO GOD. COME TO JESUS John 14:6
When a person comes to know God, and receives Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, it does not mean his spiritual
journey has ended. In fact, it has just began. A Christian should continually hunger for God, and draw near go
Him. Psalm 42:1 As the deer pants for streams of water, So my soul pants for you, O God.
2. Since man is an earthly being, how should we treat his body? See also 1 Corinthians 16:26.
What are the ways man should take care of his body? Discuss how you are doing each of them. What do you
commit to do from here on?
a) Are you taking good care of your body by exercising regularly?
b) Do you have proper rest and recreation? Discuss workaholic people.
c) Are you eating proper diet (with fish, vegetable, fruits)?
d) Do you refrain from any substance abuse? Discuss drinking, smoking etc..
C. Mans Responsibilities
1. Since God is the creator of life, and man is His handiwork, man should respond by worshipping God.
What does it mean to worship God?
Since God is the author of life, and man is His handiwork, man should respond by worshipping God.
John 4:24
2. Why do you think God made man in His image? What does it mean to bear Gods image? How is it reflected
in our character?
Man needs to reflect Gods image because man was made in Gods image. When we worship God regularly,
we should become more and more like Him.
Reflection: our abilities, function and character should reflect Gods image. When people see us, do they see
God in us? Do they see holiness? Love? Truthfulness? Faithfulness? Give examples.
3. Since Gods breath is in man (2:7), and man is made in Gods image (1:27), God wants man to communicate
with Him.
In verses 28 and 29, the word you appears for the first time in Genesis, when God speaks directly to the
people He created to be like Himself- and says, I am putting you in charge and, I have providedfor
youThis shows a very special relationship between God and human beings which is not possible between
other creatures and the Creator.
a. How does man communicate with God?
b. Discuss how you are doing it
c. Reflection: Am I intimate with God? What do I commit from here on?
Reflection: Am I reading His word? Have I been talking with Him through prayer? Have I been listening to
Him? Have I been obedient to Him?
4. How can we responsibly obey Gods command in 1:28?
Responsible parenthood calls for proper family planning.
5. a. What is Gods intention for man regarding all the animals and plants, according to 1:28-29?
What responsibilities come with having authority?
b. Today people are becoming more and more concerned about controlling pollution (harmful
Chemicals or waste materials which are put into our water and air making them unclean) and

having clean air to breathe and clean water to drink. They also care that resources such as coal,
wood and oil are not all consumed and depleted, and enlarged plants and animals, of which only a
few are left, do not die out.
Discuss practical ways we can be environmentally responsible.
Reflection: This is both privilege and a responsibility. Many of us have little direct contact with animals and
plants nowadays. But if we are environmentally responsible, it will have an impact on nature.
Are you environmentally responsible? Are you recycling, saving water and electricity? Not littering? Not
polluting?
Conclusion
Man is a unique handiwork of God. He is both a spiritual being and an earthly being. As such, he needs to worship God,
reflect Gods glory, communicate with God, take care of nature and his own body. May we fulfill our responsibilities
properly.

Prepared By: Willy Guinto

PCFC Small Groups 2015
Genesis Series Lesson 2