Session 3: The Doctrine of Man

June 3, 2025
Bethany Leadership Podcast
Bethany Leadership Podcast
Session 3: The Doctrine of Man
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Theme: Who We Are Before God – Created, Fallen, and Redeemed

  1. The Bible Tells Us Who We Are
    • In a world of confusion about identity, Scripture reveals the truth: We are created in God’s image with dignity and purpose, yet fallen and in need of redemption.
    • Any attempt to define humanity apart from God leads to distortion and despair.
  2. Made in the Image of God
    • We reflect God in our reasoning, relationships, morality, creativity, and capacity to worship.
    • The image of God hasn’t been destroyed by sin—but it has been deeply marred.
    • Every human has value—not because of usefulness, but because of who made them.
  3. What Went Wrong: The Fall
    • Sin didn’t just break rules—it broke us. It corrupted our minds, wills, and desires.
    • We are not merely “mistakers” but rebels against a holy God.
    • Only Christ can restore what was broken in the Fall.
  4. Modern Confusion about Identity
    • From gender to purpose to morality, people are redefining the self apart from God.
    • The biblical story confronts this by reorienting identity around Creator and Redeemer, not personal autonomy.
    • The gospel speaks powerfully into the identity crisis of our age.
  5. The Hope of Redemption
    • Jesus is the perfect image of God—and by faith in Him, we are being renewed into that image.
    • Sanctification is not about self-improvement, but about restoration.
    • Leaders must model this: humble, Christ-centered transformation.

Notable Quotes

  • “We don’t define ourselves—God does. And He does so with clarity and compassion.”
  • “The image of God gives every person dignity. Sin doesn’t erase it, but it does distort it.”
  • “We’re not just people who mess up—we’re rebels in need of grace.”
  • “When we try to create our identity apart from God, we lose ourselves.”
  • “Christ isn’t just an example—He’s the restoration of the human image.”
  • “Sanctification isn’t polishing up the old self; it’s becoming who God made us to be.”
  • “Leadership isn’t about asserting identity—it’s about reflecting Christ.”
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