I taught Sunday School for a number of years. Every fall, I’d sit those wide-eyed four-year-olds down to explain the first chapter of Genesis: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” (Genesis 1:1, ESV)
It’s an important theological truth: God made all things, even you! I’d go through the days of creation with the children, detailing how God created each part of the earth and its inhabitants in an intricate, swirling dance. Every piece of this earth is perfectly balanced, and God’s world is a perfect habitat for people.
The Unique Value of Human Life
It’s easy to let the second half of day six of Creation just blend in with the list of all the other spectacular creatures God made. But God himself separates humans from animals. Take a look:
Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.” ~ Genesis 1:26-28, ESV
That’s pretty amazing, isn’t it? Our kiddos are made in the image of God. Theologians call this unique quality imago Dei—the image of God. We don’t know exactly how we represent God, because He didn’t tell us. We just know He told us we do!
Scripture speaks many times of the importance of human life, and specifically refers to life in the womb a number of times. Just as it’s important that our children learn that God created all things, and that He made human beings in His image, it’s important to teach kids that babies in the womb are also imago Dei–created in the image of God. Our Heavenly Father values and cares for life in the womb enough to tell us in His Word that He ordained and “knit together” each baby (Psalm 139:13).
Teaching Kids About the Value of Life in the Womb
My boys loved hearing the story about how God wove them together in the womb. Their little eyes lit up when I’d tell them how they’d do somersaults and press their hands against my belly. They’d giggle when I’d tell them (non-graphically) about the day of their birth. Even more importantly, we’d talk about the second birth–how we can believe in Jesus, repent of our sins, and be saved. When we’re “born again,” we come to represent God in a way we never can when we are living in our sin.
I’ve written a book to help you share this special story of God’s creation of life in the womb, and of His offer of new life in Christ, with your 5-11 year olds (or in a couple readings with your preschoolers).
Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth tells children the story of their development in the womb. Let’s teach our kids about the unique value of human life!
Giveaway ~ Ends 3/21/16 ~ One Hardcover Copy
Void where prohibited by law. Must be at least 18 years of age. This giveaway is in no away associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, or Pinterest. No purchase necessary for entry. Odds are determined by the number of entries. Selected winners will have 48 hours to respond to email notification to claim their prizes or another winner will be drawn.
Danika Cooley is a mother of four wonderfully made children. She and her husband live in the Pacific Northwest where they homeschool their youngest two children. In addition to her new book, Wonderfully Made, Danika is the author of When Lightning Struck!: The Story of Martin Luther (Fortress Press, 2015), and Bible Road Trip.
Cheryn says
Our Family is very young in our active & open walk of Faith. Books like this are helping us, as parents, learn right alongside our children.
Mica says
Looks like a lovely resource for teaching my children about the importance of tiny life.
becky says
I would love this book. I would use it with my kids to remind them that they are made in God’s image and how special they are to God.
Jennifer Mathesz says
I love that it is made for younger kids
Judith Martinez says
What a wonderful resource this is! I love books that highlight the human creation and give glory to the creator.
Sherri Osborne says
I would love to share this with my daughter. I want her to know how very special she is to God.
Hillary says
I love that this is for my youngest children. The older children were able to observe their siblings in utero, listen to heatbeat, feel movements, etc. which facilitated numerous discussions. That hasn’t naturally come about for the younger ones. This looks like a beautiful book, sharing the details, without sharing what they aren’t mature enough for.