Created in God's Image

Last Updated on Thursday, 07 April 2011 13:13 Friday, 04 March 2011 12:03

Contemporary Challenges and Principles in Relating to Early Human Life

Introduction

When does life begin? What does it mean to be created in God's image? And what are the implications of recent medical and scientific advances? How should Christians, and our churches, respond?

The report, Created In God's Image, was written by Methodists, Baptists and members of the United Reformed Church in 2008. This study guide is intended to help groups and individuals to engage with the issues raised by the report.

How to use this website

This website features six group sessions covering issues raised by different aspects of early human life, including abortion, pastoral care, disability, infertility, assisted reproductive technologies.

Each session includes leader's notes and handout, downloadable as PDFs.

Depending on your group you could cover the whole series, pick a “taster session”, or tailor a session to the particular needs of your church community

Handouts are in PDF format, and leader's notes are in two formats - PDF, and Word in case you want to add to the notes by editing them on your computer.

About the sessions

Each session is structured to last 90 minutes – people rarely concentrate for longer than this! You may decide to skip over certain sections – eg the discussion questions at the end of each session – if it looks like over-running

Each session begins and ends with a prayer – you may wish to use the prayers provided or have time for silent or shared reflection

People learn in different ways – each session contains a variety of learning activities, eg doing, listening, thinking visually, discussing, studying the bible, and reflecting. Depending on the balance of your group, some ways may work better than others.

Most of the sessions include a closing activity in which group members are invited to reflect on what they have learnt from the session, and how this might affect how they engage with people and the world in the future.

About the group facilitator

Each session will require preparation from you, the leader.

The leader's notes offer guidance on the structure, input and activities for each session. Do not feel you need to stick rigidly to this – you know your group and what will work.

Activities are inset in bold together with a suggested timeframe

Input is in normal type. You will not want to read these sections out to the group as they will make for very boring sessions. Instead try reading through them beforehand to identify what you think are the important things that the group takes away. Then either use these points to guide a discussion or summarise what the learning points might be.

Download the Sessions

 Download the entire study guide as one PDF

or download the individual sessions below

 Introduction for Group Leaders

Session 1: Breathed into Life

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF

Session 2: Set Free to Make Choices

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF
Handout 1
Handout 2

Session 3: Set Free to Care

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF
Handout 1
Handout 2

Session 4: Abortion

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF
Handout

Session 5: Assisted Reproductive Technology

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF
Handout 1
Handout 2 
Handout 3 
Process of Conception Powerpoint 

Session 6: Care of the Child

Leader's Notes: Microsoft Word PDF
Handout

Evaluation

Evaluation Form for Group Leaders

Thank you for exploring the challenges and principles in relating to early human life. We hope that this will be a useful resource for you and your church as you discern what God is calling you to in your local community and in the wider world.

About the authors

The Created in God's Image Study Guide was written by Rosemary Kidd, Rachel Lampard, Paul Morrison and Graham Sparkes of the Joint Public Issues Team. The working group which wrote the original report included Professor Ian Cooke, Deacon Margaret Cox, Revd Ruth Gee (Chair), Revd Martin Hobgen, Revd Dr Helen Jenkins, Revd Dr Rosemary Kidd, Rachel Lampard, Revd Michael Peat, Revd Dr Jonathan Pye, Revd Allan Smith and Revd Daphne Williams.

The Joint Public Issues Team was set up to work together in living out the gospel of Christ in the church and in society. It works on behalf of the Baptist Union of Great Britain, the Methodist Church and the United Reformed Church. The Team aims to promote equality and justice by influencing those in power and by energising and affirming local congregations. It has produced The Created in God's Image Study Guide to help churches to explore the importance of Christian engagement with public issues.

We want to learn from your comments and improve future editions of this resource. Please complete the evaluation form at the end and return it to us.