We all know the story of Genesis 1: God created the world and everything in it. But this familiar passage also shows us God’s purpose and priorities for our parenting. Today, Pastor Kevin Peck helps us look at Genesis 1:26-28, which shows the purpose and function for which God designed us.
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, all the earth, and the creatures that crawl on the earth.’ So God created man in His own image; He created him in the image of God; He created them male and female. God blessed them, and God said to them, ‘Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth, and subdue it. Rule the fish of the sea, the birds of the sky, and every creature that crawls on the earth.’”
When it comes to leading our families, there are three things we see in this passage:
- We’re called to reflect God’s glory.
God created mankind in His image and according to His likeness, so that we could faithfully reflect His glory. As much as redeemed sinners can, we must be faithful to embody the character and nature of God through our own lives. When our children see us, it should be a showcase for the spectacular character of the gracious and holy God.
- We’re called to multiply.
We are given a mandate to fill the whole earth with other image bearers that have been saved and renewed by Jesus. Simply put, as disciples of Christ, we’re called to make disciples. One of the primary ways we do this is by demonstrating and declaring the gospel to the children God has entrusted us with. We must never take a passive back-seat on faithfully pursuing and discipling our children.
- We’re called to cultivate.
As Adam and Eve were instructed to cultivate their environment, we are to strive to cultivate an environment where those around us can flourish in light of the glory of God. We are not only to bear fruit ourselves, but to create an environment in our homes where our spouses and children can experience the peace of God. We want our families to thrive spiritually, but also physically and emotionally.
The mandate God gave our first parents hasn’t changed. He has called us into His plan of filling the earth with His image bearers, and this starts in our homes. Let us be faithful to this calling, looking forward to the day when “the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the LORD’s glory, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).
Kevin Peck is the lead pastor at Austin Stone Community Church. He is one of the contributors to ROOTED, Hope for Orphans’ new curriculum for adoptive and foster parents.