Kingdom Tension Part 13 with Discussion Guide
Kingdom Tension Part 13 Discussion Guide
Summary
In this sermon, Pastor discusses the concept of the temple in biblical history and its significance for Christians today. He explains how God’s original plan was to create a ‘cosmic temple’ where heaven and earth connected, with humans as His family. After the fall and exile from Eden, God worked throughout history to restore this connection—first through the tabernacle, then Solomon’s temple, and ultimately through Jesus Christ. The sermon culminates with the powerful revelation that believers themselves are now temples of the Holy Spirit, places where heaven and earth connect.
Intro Prayer
Heavenly Father, as we gather to discuss Your Word today, we ask that You would open our hearts to understand what it means to be Your temple. Help us to grasp the magnitude of Your presence dwelling within us. May our discussion today not just be an intellectual exercise but a transformative experience where we encounter You in new ways. Guide our conversation and help each person receive exactly what You have for them today. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Ice Breaker
If you could design your dream house with unlimited resources, what one unique feature would you absolutely have to include and why?
Key Verses
Ephesians 2:19-22
1 Corinthians 3:16
1 Corinthians 6:19-20
John 1:14
Matthew 27:50-51
Questions
The pastor described how God’s original plan in Eden was for heaven and earth to connect. How does this change your understanding of God’s purpose for creation?
What struck you most about the progression of ‘temple’ throughout biblical history (Eden, tabernacle, Solomon’s temple, Jesus, and now believers)?
The sermon mentioned that we are ‘portable presences’ of God. What does this mean to you practically in your daily life?
How does understanding yourself as a ‘temple where heaven and earth connect’ change how you view your purpose?
The pastor said many believers love Jesus but don’t read the Bible. What obstacles have you faced in consistently engaging with Scripture?
How might seeing the Bible as one connected story rather than disconnected parts change your approach to reading it?
What does it mean to live with ‘temple awareness’ in places like your workplace, traffic, or the grocery store?
The sermon emphasized that we’re included in God’s story. In what area of your life do you find it most challenging to live as part of this story?
Life Application
This week, commit to living with intentional ‘temple awareness.’ Choose three specific environments you’ll be in (work, home, social settings, etc.) and before entering each one, take a moment to pray: ‘Lord, remind me that I carry Your presence here. How can I reflect You in this place today?’ Then look for opportunities to bring peace, show compassion, or share hope in those environments. At the end of each day, reflect on how being conscious of God’s presence within you affected your interactions and decisions.
Key Takeaways
We are now temples of the Holy Spirit—places where heaven and earth connect through God’s presence dwelling in us.
Understanding the Bible’s bigger story awakens passion for Scripture and helps us see our place in God’s ongoing work.
As ‘portable presences’ of God, we carry Jesus with us wherever we go, making every environment we enter sacred space.
God’s original plan in Eden was for heaven and earth to connect, with humans as His family dwelling with Him.
Living with ‘temple awareness’ means recognizing that our words, choices, and relationships matter deeply because we host the Holy Spirit.
Ending Prayer
Lord God, thank You for the incredible truth that we are Your temples—places where heaven and earth connect. We are humbled and amazed that You would choose to dwell within us. Help us to live with this temple awareness this week, conscious that we carry Your presence wherever we go. May we bring Your peace into tense situations, Your compassion to the overlooked, and Your hope to the hopeless. Forgive us for the times we’ve forgotten our sacred purpose and lived carelessly. Empower us by Your Spirit to be faithful representatives of Your presence in our homes, workplaces, and communities. We pray this in the powerful name of Jesus, who made a way for us to be reconciled to You. Amen.
This series may be taken as a course offered by the Online Bible Institute. For more information check out the Keys Vineyard Ministries Courses page.
Steve Lawes is a Church Consultant and also provides coaching for pastors, churches, ministries and church planters.
