Created for a Purpose: Family in the Image of God

Passage: Genesis 1:27-28; Matthew 28:16-20

We've seen in our series on being Created in the Image of God, that God created us male and female, equal in dignity but uniquely different in design to perfectly complement and complete one another as image bearers. And that dignity and value as well diversity extends to all life as part of God's plan and purpose for the flourishing of creation. This week and next, we'll look at that purpose for humanity as it is reflected in God's call to be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and have dominion over all creation. The first part of what is known as the "cultural mandate," points to the importance of family and the significance of children to Gods as recipients of covenant promises and agents of his redemption and rule of his kingdom. In a world where raising children is hard and increasingly seen as a burden to be avoided, understanding and embracing the blessing of God's commission to be fruitful and multiply, is not only vital to the flourishing of culture and society in general, but significant to the salvation and growth of God's people in the family of faith.