Game Time Captains & Imago Dei

[This essay was initially written Fall of 2015 in Theology of Christian Leadership class at Criswell College under the supervision of Dr. Christopher Graham.]

“Why are they team captains,” a 5th grade boy shouted, as a four and a five year old boy were picked as team captains. He was dismayed by the choice. How the youngest and the incapable could be chosen as team captains was beyond him. Most remote from Noah’s mind was these youngsters' identity and who they are in relation to Christ.

On any given Wednesday or Sunday, churchmen choose the best and most athletic children during game time as team captain and compliment children on their dress with no recognition of the child’s character or who the child is and is becoming in Christ. Against the concept of the image of God (imago dei) in man, normative social practices can be examined for the edification of the church and its witness in the world. This examination is exceptionally important within children’s ministry. During this period, a child’s identity is forming and shaping who he will become.

The concept of the image of God in man is derived from Genesis’ creation account, when God says, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness” (Gn. 1:26a). While there has been some debate throughout Christian history concerning the mode by which God’s image is in man, Stanley Grenz argues that “at the heart of the divine image…is a reference to our human destiny as designed by God.” How then does mankind created in the image of God affect the way we engage our children in the church?

1. We evaluate our social practices and values. Evaluating our social practices allows us the opportunity to recognize where we are placing value. Do we really value the dress of a little boy or girl on Sunday over their relationship in Christ? Of course we don’t. Whenever we find ourselves putting emphasis and value on these things to the neglect of the child’s character and person, we reinforce social practices that do not strengthen the child’s identity in Christ or as created in God’s image. It is important for us to consider something as simple as the manner we handle a child learning memory verses. A child should not be considered as more valued because he can’t learn or retain verses as other children. While none of us would consciously agree that a child who learns more verses is valued more than a child who does not, often times this is unconsciously worked out through unevaluated practices that we have unthoughtfully picked up. What we reinforce in a child’s life will play a role in the formation of their identity.

2. We conform our social practices and values to reflect the image of Christ. For the apostle Paul writes, “And we all, with unveiled face, beholding the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from one degree of glory to another” (2 Cor. 3:18). As we assess our social practices and values under the matrix of imago dei, we begin to conform these practices in support of a child’s image as being made in the image of God and as being conformed to the image of his Son.

3. Conforming our social practices and values to reinforce a child’s understanding of their identity as being made in the image of God and being conformed to the image of the Son brings glory to God. God is glorified by us conforming our social practices toward supporting a child’s understanding that she is created in the image of God and being conformed to the image of his Son, because it honors and brings into existence what He values. In other words, God’s kingdom is demonstrated when children experience and exercise imago dei.

Yet how is this conformity specifically worked out in the context of children’s ministry? Two considerations come to mind. First, those responsible for children are to consider how they relate to children. “Why do I” questions, “How do I” questions, and “What do I” questions may help us start this process. For example, “How do I compliment a child?” or “What do I compliment about a child?” Once the question is answered, explore the answers’ relation to God’s image in man. Does this answer support the child’s person as being created in God’s image and being conformed to his Son? If not, ask yourself, “How can I compliment a child in a manner that reinforces his/her image as made in the image of God?” The second consideration to take into account is the child’s perception of himself/herself (as well as others) as made in God’s image. Ideally speaking, a change of practice for us who are responsible for children will help a child’s understanding of her self as made in God’s image. Another way to support a child’s understanding is to teach them and keep on his mind that he is created in God’s image and is being conformed to the image of Jesus.

Imago dei is an important concept which affects the social practices and values of the church, and is particularly instrumental in helping children understand who they as their identity is forming and being shaped in a broken and chaotic world.