Image of God, more for Kids

 A Simpler Way to View the Word Image in Scripture

In Genesis 1:26, the term "image" does not primarily refer to what someone looks like on the outside. It means humans were made to reflect God in the way they think, choose, love, rule, and relate to others, a bit like a child can resemble a parent in family traits, not just in looks.

A fifth grader could understand it this way: God made people to be like Him in some important ways, so we can show His character in the world. That includes being able to reason, care, make moral choices, and have responsibility over creation.

What “image” is not

“Image” does not mean humans are gods, and it does not mean God has a human body that looks exactly like ours. It also does not mean every human is perfect, because the Bible later shows that people can still bear God’s image even though sin has damaged how we live it out.

What “image” is

The word points to representation: humans are like God’s appointed representatives on earth. In the verse itself, that idea is tied to “dominion,” meaning people were given authority to care for and govern the animals and the earth under God’s rule.

A kid-sized picture

Think of a king putting his seal or badge on a helper he sends to speak and act for him. The helper is not the king, but he carries the king’s authority and is supposed to act the king’s way. That is close to what Genesis is saying about humans being made in God’s image.

One more helpful detail

The verse also says “let us make man in our image,” which many Christians understand as showing a conversation within God’s own being, while others see it as a royal way of speaking. Either way, the main point of the verse is that human life has special value and purpose because people represent God on earth.

In secular English, image generally means a visual representation, appearance, or mental picture of something, and likeness means resemblance or similarity to something else. If you mean the Genesis phrase “image and likeness,” many secular dictionaries and modern usage would still read it as “something that resembles or represents another,” rather than a separate technical theology term.

Plain definitions

- Image: a copy, representation, portrait, reflection, or mental picture of a person or thing.

- Likeness: similarity, resemblance, or having features in common with something else.

In ordinary use

In everyday speech, people often use them close to synonymously, especially when describing a picture, statue, or mirrored reflection. The main difference is that image emphasizes representation, while likeness emphasizes resemblance.

A photograph is an image of a person, and if it looks very accurate, it also has a strong likeness, or similarity to that person.

Hebrews 1:3 describes Jesus as the "express image of his person" (KJV) or "exact representation of his nature" (NASB), confirming he is the perfect, divine reflection of God the Father. Jesus reveals God's nature, substance, and glory, acting as the complete, visible representation of the invisible God.

Biblical Details on Jesus as the Express Likeness:

"Express Image" (Charaktēr): The Greek term in Hebrews 1:3 suggests an exact stamp, imprint, or engraving, similar to a seal on wax, implying Jesus is not just similar to God, but identical in essence and nature.

"Image of the Invisible God": Colossians 1:15 affirms that Jesus makes the invisible God visible. He is the "firstborn over all creation," indicating his preeminence.

"Brightness of His Glory": Jesus radiates God’s glory, just as rays of light emanate from the sun.

The Final Revelation: While God spoke through prophets, Hebrews 1:1-3 shows Jesus as the final and perfect revelation of God's character.

Equal in Essence: The description indicates Jesus is both personally distinct from yet equal to God the Father, upholding the universe by his power.

Supporting Scriptures:

John 14:9: Jesus tells Philip, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father".

This is why we must study the scriptures, for to know Jesus and His life then we also know all about The Father, and The Holy Spirit, for they all are the same, and all are one as defined in the word Elohim.

Yes, many Christians believe that the Son existed before He was born as a baby, came willingly to earth, and had glory with the Father before creation. They also believe Jesus is the clearest way God has ever shown Himself in a visible form to people.

Why many believe this

They point to verses like:

- Jesus saying He had glory with the Father before the world existed.

- Passages saying all things were made through Him.

- Passages saying Jesus is the image of the invisible God.

So the idea is: Jesus did not start at Bethlehem; He was already there, then became human for our rescue.

Why some say He appeared before birth, a hard to accept concept.

Some believers read Old Testament appearances of God, especially the Angel of the Lord, as times when the Son was seen before His birth. Others connect this with verses that say no one can see God in His full nature, yet God still showed Himself in ways people could see. Many point to the trhee Hebrew men thrown in the fiery furnace and the king saw a forth, so who was the forth?

That is why some say Jesus is the only true visible form of God, or the fullest way God can be seen by humans.

Why others disagree

Not all theologians read those passages the same way. Some say the Old Testament appearances were not Jesus Himself, but special messages or signs from God. Others say “image of God” means Jesus perfectly shows God’s character, not that God can only be seen in Jesus.

Simple words for kids

You could say it like this:

- “Jesus was with God before He was born.”

- “He came to earth because He loved us and wanted to save us.”

- “When people saw Jesus, they were seeing the best picture of what God is like.”

- “Some people think Jesus also showed Himself in the Old Testament before He was born as a baby.”

So, did this make sense? What do you think about God and Jesus in physical form?