Week 1: God’s Design for Man and Woman

Session type: Combined session (men and women together).

Main aim: To begin the course by seeing that every person’s worth is rooted in being created in the image of God — not in marriage status — and that this truth frees us to live with purpose.

Key Bible passage

So God created mankind in his own image.

in the image of God he created them.

Male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27, NIV

Opening question

When you imagine your life ten years from now, what is the first picture that comes to mind – and where does that picture come from: God, your family, your friends, or social media?

Main teaching points

• Man and woman are both created in the image of God. This is the foundation of everything else in this course.
• Both have equal dignity, value, and spiritual worth before God. One is not closer to God’s heart than the other.
• God created humanity male and female on purpose. Our maleness and femaleness are good gifts, not problems to solve.
• Our deepest identity comes first from Christ, not from being married or single. A baptised Christian already belongs to God.
• Marriage is important and beautiful, but it is not the source of human value. No wedding can add to the worth God already gave you.
• A person is not incomplete, failed, or worthless because he or she is unmarried.
• At the same time, if someone has no calling to celibacy, life should not be lived in drifting, avoidance, or endless ‘maybe later’.
• Christian maturity means living on purpose before God — whatever our state in life.

Coptic Orthodox reflection

In the Coptic Orthodox tradition we speak of the human person as created in God’s image and called toward His likeness. The image is given; the likeness is grown through prayer, repentance, the sacraments, and love. So the question is never only ‘Will I marry?’ but ‘Am I growing into the likeness of Christ?’ Marriage and celibacy are both roads on that same journey toward God.

Practical life application

• This week, notice where you look for your sense of worth—likes, looks, achievements, relationship status—and gently bring that back to God.
• Begin a simple daily prayer naming yourself as a beloved child of God before naming any goal.

Discussion questions (combined)

• What does it mean, in everyday life, that you are made in the image of God?
• Where do young adults today most often look for their value instead of God?
• Have you ever felt ‘less than’ because of being single? Where did that message come from?

Personal reflection questions

• Do I believe, deep down, that I have full worth before God right now?
• Is there an area where I am drifting rather than living on purpose?

Group activity

In pairs, each person finishes the sentence ‘Because I am made in God’s image, I can…’ three times. Share one answer with the whole group.

Homework for the week

• Read Genesis 1 slowly and write down three things God calls ‘good’.
• Write one short paragraph: ‘Who am I before God, apart from what I achieve?’

Short prayer

Lord, You made me in Your image and called me good. Free me from measuring my worth by anything less than Your love. Teach me to live with purpose before You. Amen.

Key takeaway: My worth is rooted in being made in God’s image — and that truth frees me to live on purpose, not to drift.