Family Worship (Aug 09)

Have you ever built something with blocks? You may have chosen where every block belonged. Some became walls, some became windows, and some became a tall tower. Each block had a place and a purpose.

God made something much greater than a block tower. He made the whole world! He created light, sky, land, plants, animals, and people. Everything he made was ordered, beautiful, and good. Since God made everything, every square inch belongs to him—including us.

God made us in his image. That means we are special, we belong to him, and we can show others what he is like. He also gave us work to do. We can care for his world, help people, create beautiful things, and bring order to messy places.

But we do not always live for God. Jesus came to forgive us and bring us back to him. Because of Jesus, we can know who we are, do God’s work, and rest in his love.

Genesis 1:26–28
Then God said, “Let us make mankind in our image, in our likeness, so that they may rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky, over the livestock and all the wild animals, and over all the creatures that move along the ground.” So God created mankind in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. God blessed them and said to them, “Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea and the birds in the sky and over every living creature that moves on the ground.”

Genesis 2:1–3
Thus the heavens and the earth were completed in all their vast array. By the seventh day God had finished the work he had been doing; so on the seventh day he rested from all his work. Then God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it he rested from all the work of creating that he had done.

Discussion Questions

1. What does this passage teach us about who we are and why every person is valuable?
2. What is one part of God’s world that our family can help care for?
3. Why do you think God wants us both to work faithfully and to stop and rest?

Activity: Every Square Inch Belongs to God

Gather several sticky notes and write “Belongs to God” on each one.

Walk together through your home. Let each family member place a note on something different, such as a toy, table, book, computer, musical instrument, garden tool, or family photograph.

At each object, ask:

- How can we use this in a way that honors God?
- How might this help someone else flourish?
- Do we ever let this become more important than God?

Finish by placing one note on each family member. Say together:

“I belong to God. I am made in his image. Jesus loves me and is making me new.”

Then hang a blanket between two chairs or make a comfortable “hammock” on the floor. Sit together for one quiet minute. Remember that you can rest because God is caring for his world. You do not have to hold everything together.

Prayer
Creator God, thank you for making us in your image and giving us a place in your good world. Forgive us for loving created things more than we love you. Thank you for Jesus, who brings us back to you. Help our family care for every square inch you give us, show your love to others, and rest in your faithful care. Amen.

Memory Work:

New City Catechism
32. What do justification and sanctification mean?
Justification means our declared righteousness before God. Sanctification means our gradual, growing righteousness.

Memory Verse
Deuteronomy 31:8
The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged.