God’s Image of You

DAILY READING

Romans 8:29

FIELD NOTES

Lloyd Ogilvie, a former chaplain of the U. S. Senate, tells of a parishioner shaking his hand, saying, “Lloyd, I hope you continue to grow into the image of what God had in mind when God first thought of you.” Later, Lloyd pondered, “What did God have in mind for me?” Eventually, his answer emerged, “Christ!” Romans 8:29 states that we are all predestined to conform to the image of Jesus Christ.

The verse says, “For those whom he foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son . . .” Who did God know before their creation? Everyone! What does predestined mean? A plan! What is God’s plan? We are all to become like Christ.

While we may have trouble discerning our vocations, relationships, and use of our talents, the scripture clearly states that we are to be Christ-like in words and deeds. I pray for God’s Holy Spirit to transform all of us into the image of Christ, to be Christ to each other, and to treat others as if they are Christ. 

QUESTIONS FOR THE FIELD

• How might this world be different if we acted as Christ to others, and treated others as if they were Jesus?
• Is there someone you know who is like this?
• How might your workplace be different today if you acted as Christ, and treated others as if they are Christ? Your home? Your community? Your church? The shopping center?
• Think of one thing you can say and do with specific people in order to be Christ to them and treat them as if they were Christ.

FAMILY FIELD TALK

• Discuss how Jesus treated people—children and adults.
• Discuss how Jesus wants us to be like him with other people.
• Discuss, “What if Jesus is sitting with us now? How would we treat him? How would we treat each other?”
• If Jesus wants us to treat others as if they are Jesus, how might we do that in our family? At school? At work? On the playground? Doing homework? Preforming chores around the house?

PRAYER GUIDE

Dear loving, gracious God, thank you for all of the many blessings you give us. Lord, please help us be like you in what we do and say, and please help us act towards others as if the others were you. In your gracious name, I ask. Amen!