Teaching Kids About the Unique Value of Human Life

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

Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth (Christian Focus 4 Kids, 2016) is a science- and Scripture-filled picture book for kids ages 5-11. The book is told from the perspective of a mother telling her child about his or her development in the womb week-by-week. You can learn more about Wonderfully Made and download free resources like posters, Scripture memory cards, and a fetal development lapbook over at the Wonderfully Made book page.

Wonderfully Made: God’s Story of Life from Conception to Birth {Homeschool Encouragement}

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.