Psalm 139:13–16 — "You formed my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb… I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made… Your eyes saw my unformed substance; all the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."
What we learned
Image: God made humanity in his צֶלֶם (tselem)—male and female together reflect his character (Gen 1:26–27).
Artistry: God knit and embroidered us (סָכַךְ / רָקַם, sakhakh / raqam)—we are crafted, not accidental (Ps 139:13–16).
Honor: Bodies are covered not from shame but because they're valuable—treated with "special honor" (cf. 1 Cor 12:23).
Talk & Practice (toggle by audience)
Conversation Starters
What's one thing you appreciate about how God made you?
When do comparisons or criticism about looks show up most?
How can our family speak about our bodies with gratitude and respect?
Family Practices
Gratitude Mirror: "God, thank you for my ____." (Track below—three different things this week.)
Encourage: One-sentence note affirming a God-given strength (not just appearance).
Preteens 11–13
When is it hard to believe you're wonderfully made?
What helps you feel grateful for your body?
How can you remind a friend they're valuable to God?
Teens 14–17
How do social media/comparison shape self-view?
Difference between caring for looks and being defined by them?
What does honoring your body look like this week?
Parents
How to talk about body image & modesty in healthy ways?
What messages about the body should kids hear at home & church?
How do you model gratitude for your own body?
🪞 Gratitude Mirror Challenge
Complete this three times this week: "God, thank you for my ____." Tap each day when you do it!
Day 1
Tap to complete
Day 2
Tap to complete
Day 3
Tap to complete
💡 Idea: Share what you thanked God for at dinner or before bed!
Chiastic Study (for the curious)
Understanding the Pattern
Hebrew writers often structured revelation like a mirror — the first half rises toward a center of meaning, then descends in reverse order.
A → B → C → B′ → A′
The center (C) carries the heart of the theology — the hinge where divine purpose and human identity meet.
Genesis 1:26–27 — Humanity in God's Image
A. "Let us make humankind in our image… rule the earth."
B. So God created humankind in his own image,
C. In the image of God he created him,
B′. Male and female he created them,
A′. God blessed them: "Be fruitful and fill the earth and subdue it."
Center emphasis: Humanity (A–A′) is created for vocation — to reflect God's dominion in fruitful stewardship. At the center (C) lies Imago Dei — our being itself mirrors God's being; the two halves (B/B′) reveal male and female together as the full expression of that image.
Psalm 139:13–16 — God's Intimate Formation
A. You formed my inmost being; knit me in the womb.
B. I praise you—your works are wonderful.
C. My frame was not hidden; embroidered in secret.
B′. Your eyes saw my unformed substance; my days written.
A′. How precious your thoughts!
Center emphasis: God's forming and knowing mirror each other (A/A′). The center (C) reveals the sacred hiddenness of creation — life as divine artistry "woven in the depths of the earth." The surrounding halves (B/B′) celebrate both the wonder and foreknowledge of that creation.
The Mirror Between Genesis 1 and Psalm 139
Cosmic creation (Gen 1) meets personal creation (Ps 139).
Image & vocation ("let us make… be fruitful") meets intimate artistry ("knit… embroidered… days written").
Male and female together image God publicly; each life is privately woven by God's hand.
Summary: God's cosmic image becomes visible in the intimate artistry of every life; honoring our bodies is part of our vocation to reflect Him.
Two halves of glory: from one breath, two hearts; from one light, two flames—together they image the Invisible.