Equality
Created Equal in His Image
A 16-week family-oriented devotional and journal.
If talking to your kids about racial equality, gender equality, and other subjects around this topic is important, this is the devotional for you.
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As we open our Bible and begin to read in the very first chapter of Genesis, all men and women are created equal in God’s image. We are endowed with the same rights, afforded the same dignity, and designed with the same virtues by an all-powerful Maker. This thread of equality runs throughout the entirety of God’s word and as Christians, we are commanded time and time again to show others that same love.
But diversity and equality are concepts easily talked about but not necessarily clearly practiced. How do we love people we don’t agree with? How do we care for those and show respect for those who aren’t like us? Our sin nature is skewed to show only those who look like us and think like us, favor. And while we may not like to admit prejudice is within us, it most certainly is. It’s our sinful nature.
This devotional and journal is designed to be a thought-provoking and challenging study into what God’s word has to say about such topics. It also challenges us, as a family, to have conversations about these subjects with our kids and talk about our responsibility as Christians relating to these things.
In this devotional, let’s learn about how we, as believers, are commanded to respond to these truths about equality and diversity.
Equality: Created Equal in His Image
What’s inside
Devotions
16 Devotions
Equality
Learn what the Bible teaches us about Equality
Blank Journal Pages
Blank journal pages for open discussion
Journal
5 Journal Pages/Week
Guided Questions
For Adults and Children for Easier Journaling
16 Different Authors
Different authors to connect with
Week Seven
Day One
Ruled by Peace
“Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful.” (Colossians 3:14-15)
Have you ever compared yourself or your circumstances to others? I know I have. The voice in my head says, “I wish I were more like…,” or “I’m not as successful/attractive/respected/thin/etc. as…,” or “They have it all together, not like me.” Sometimes the voice sounds more along the lines of, “I’m glad I’m not like…,” or “They should try harder to make better choices as I do,” or “Their kids are so messed up, not like mine. What did they do wrong?” Sound familiar? When we compare ourselves to others, we fall into the enemy’s trap of believing what I call “Ladder Lies.” This is where we are ruled by the worldly perspective that we exist in a system of hierarchies, where some are above and some fall below, and the goal of life is to climb up and keep others down.
At their core, these lies are judgments. Whether we judge ourselves as inferior or superior, judgments are based on insecurity in who we are in Christ: existing on an equal plane with others as “heirs of God and co-heirs with Christ” (Romans 8:17). As Paul described, “There is no Jew or Greek, slave or free, male and female, since you are all one in Christ Jesus” (Galatians 3:28). Ladder Lies oppose the Kingdom’s perspectives of equality and unity.
If we are not to judge (Matthew 7:1) or be ruled by worldly regulations (Colossian 2:20), what do we exchange for our Ladder Lies? Colossians 3:14 instructs us to, “Above all, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity.” When we look at others through Christ’s loving eyes, we see ourselves as equal and unified. We stand side-by-side before God’s throne, “holy and dearly loved” (Colossians 3:12). Comparing ourselves to others robs us of contentment. Ladder Lies are forms of idolatry that lead to anger, hatred, malice, and wrath. Knowing who we are in Christ and standing in equality and unity with others are the pathways to peace.
We are to “let the peace of Christ, to which you were also called in one body, rule your hearts. And be thankful” (Colossians 3:15). If God is the God of peace, as Paul calls Him, walking in His Spirit means allowing His peace to rule our hearts. We are not to focus on things we don’t have or circumstances we didn’t expect; instead, we are to focus on Christ’s ongoing redemption and “give thanks in everything” (I Thessalonians 5:18). When we release our judgments, the peace of God replaces those Ladder Lies, and the hierarchical ways of the world fade as our hearts are ruled by peace. We will then be “filled with all the fullness of God” (Ephesians 3:19).
Prayer
Lord Jesus, cleanse my thoughts of all judgments of myself and others. Remove my Ladder Lies and all hierarchical perspectives, and help me to put on love. Allow me to see myself and others through Your eyes, not the eyes of the world. Fill me with your Holy Spirit so my heart is ruled by peace. In Your holy name I pray, Amen.
Written by Donna E. Lane, Ph.D.
Questions
Adult Question Day 1
What are some areas in your life where you have compared yourself to others? (Be sure to consider both inferiority and superiority judgments.)
Child Question Day 1
When you compare yourself to your friends, how do you feel?
Adult Question Day 2
What does your “comparing voice” say in your thoughts? What are your “Ladder Lies”?
Child Question Day 2
Have you ever looked down on others? What were the reasons you did? How did you feel?
Adult Question Day 3
In what ways is your mind set on earthly things? In what ways is your mind focused on things above?
Child Question Day 3
Have you ever felt put down by others? How did you respond? How did you feel?
Adult Question Day 4
What does it mean to be an heir of God and a co-heir with Christ? How does this knowledge produce peace?
Child Question Day 4
What do you think about the idea that you are a child of God?
Adult Question Day 5
If you saw yourself through Christ’s eyes, what and who would you see? How would this perspective change how you see others?
Child Question Day 5
What does the word “equality” mean to you?
Adult Question Day 6
How does judgment impact how you view your circumstances? How does having a thankful heart impact your perspective of your circumstances?
Child Question Day 6
If you imagine what Jesus sees when He looks at you, what do you think He would say?
Devotions
Pages
Equality: Created Equal in His Image helps us learn how we are commanded to respond to these truths about equality and diversity.
As you complete this book, we hope that you will have a better understanding of all types of equality, be able to convey those principles to your family, and journal about this topic as you pray and read about them each week.
About the authors
Devotable is a collection of writers seeking to encourage believers, reach the lost, and spread God’s word around the world. We bring together over 100 authors, bloggers, and writers to create content that inspires and challenges believers daily. We create content through our website, mobile app, print material, social media, podcasts, and more.
We invite believers around the world to engage with daily devotions that challenge and inspire their faith. We invite them to connect with God daily as they continue in their Christian journey. We represent a variety of people, who come together to proclaim the great gospel of Christ as far and wide as we can. We seek to spread the gospel, encouraging people to accept Christ as their savior.
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