Church Encourager

Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 11 Discussion Guide

Summary

The sermon focused on the significance of the Tabernacle in the Old Testament as a precursor to Jesus Christ. The Tabernacle was a portable place of worship for the Israelites, symbolizing God’s presence among His people. The sermon highlighted how the Tabernacle’s structure and rituals pointed to Jesus, who is the true Tabernacle, providing direct access to God through His sacrifice. The message emphasized the importance of not taking God’s presence for granted and recognizing the profound access to God that Jesus has made possible.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for gathering us here today. As we delve into Your Word and discuss the message from the sermon, we ask for open hearts and minds. Help us to understand the depth of Your love and the significance of Your presence in our lives. May we be receptive to what You want to teach us today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What is one of your favorite memories from a church event or service?

### Key Verses

1. Hebrews 10:19-23
2. Exodus 40:34-35
3. John 1:14
4. Psalm 16:11

Questions

1. What stood out to you the most about the description of the Tabernacle?
2. How does understanding the Tabernacle enhance your appreciation of Jesus’ sacrifice?
3. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the true Tabernacle?
4. How can we avoid taking God’s presence for granted in our daily lives?
5. In what ways can we draw near to God with a sincere heart, as mentioned in Hebrews 10:22?
6. How does the concept of ‘fullness of joy’ in God’s presence resonate with you?
7. What are some practical ways we can live out our restored access to God through Jesus?
8. How can we help others understand the significance of Jesus’ role as the true Tabernacle?

Life Application

This week, take time each day to intentionally seek God’s presence. Whether through prayer, worship, or reading Scripture, focus on drawing near to Him with a sincere heart. Reflect on the access to God that Jesus has provided and let it transform your daily interactions and decisions.

Key Takeaways

1. The Tabernacle was a foreshadowing of Jesus Christ and His role in providing access to God.
2. Jesus fulfills all the elements of the Tabernacle, from the sacrifice to the priesthood.
3. God’s presence is the source of fullness of joy and eternal pleasures.
4. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God, which should never be taken for granted.
5. Our actions should flow from a heart that is already accepted by God, not from a desire to earn His love.

Ending Prayer

Lord, we thank You for the profound truths we’ve discussed today. Thank You for sending Jesus, our true Tabernacle, who grants us direct access to Your presence. Help us to live in the fullness of joy that comes from being close to You. May we never take Your presence for granted and always seek to draw near to You with sincere hearts. Guide us this week as we apply these truths to our lives. In Jesus’ name, 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.

Kingdom Foreshadowed Part 10 Discussion Guide

1 Sermon Summary

In today’s sermon, we delved into the concept of the Tabernacle as part of our ongoing series, “Kingdom Foreshadowed.” We explored the significance of the Tabernacle in the wilderness, a portable place of worship that God instructed the Israelites to build after their escape from Egypt. This Tabernacle served as the meeting place between God and His people, symbolizing the connection between heaven and earth. We traced the journey from creation, through the fall, to the establishment of the Tabernacle, and how it foreshadowed the coming of Jesus Christ.

We also examined how the Tabernacle points to Jesus, who “tabernacled” among us by taking on human flesh. Through Jesus, we have direct access to God’s presence, a privilege that was once limited to the high priest entering the Holy of Holies. This sermon emphasized the importance of understanding the entire biblical narrative as it points to Jesus, encouraging us to deepen our relationship with Him and recognize our mission to bring His glory into every corner of creation.

2 Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You with grateful hearts, thankful for the opportunity to gather and learn from Your Word. As we discuss today’s sermon, we ask for Your Holy Spirit to open our hearts and minds to receive the truths You want to impart to us. Help us to understand the significance of the Tabernacle and how it points to Jesus. May our discussion draw us closer to You and inspire us to live out Your mission in our daily lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

3 Ice Breaker

What is one place you’ve visited that made you feel a sense of awe or wonder?

4 Key Verses

1. Exodus 40:34-38 – “Then the cloud covered the tent of meeting, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. Moses could not enter the tent of meeting because the cloud had settled on it, and the glory of the Lord filled the tabernacle. In all the travels of the Israelites, whenever the cloud lifted from above the tabernacle, they would set out. But if the cloud did not lift, they did not set out until the day it lifted. So the cloud of the Lord was over the tabernacle by day, and fire was in the cloud by night, in the sight of all the Israelites during all their travels.”
2. John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
3. Genesis 1:1 – “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.”
4. John 1:1-3 – “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made.”

5 Questions

1. What stood out to you the most from today’s sermon about the Tabernacle?
2. How does understanding the Tabernacle enhance your appreciation of Jesus’ role in our lives?
3. Why do you think God chose to dwell among the Israelites in a portable Tabernacle?
4. How does the concept of Jesus “tabernacling” among us change your perspective on His presence in your life?
5. What parallels can you draw between the Tabernacle in the Old Testament and the presence of the Holy Spirit in believers today?
6. How can we, as a group, better reflect the glory of God in our community?
7. What are some practical ways you can “pitch your tent” and bring God’s presence into your daily life?
8. How does the story of the Tabernacle and Jesus’ incarnation inspire you to engage more deeply with the Bible?

6 Life Application

This week, take time each day to intentionally invite God’s presence into your daily activities. Whether it’s through prayer, reading Scripture, or simply being mindful of His presence, make an effort to “tabernacle” with God in your everyday life. Share your experiences with the group next week.

7 Key Takeaways

1. The Tabernacle as a Meeting Place: The Tabernacle was a portable place of worship where God’s presence dwelled among the Israelites. It symbolized the connection between heaven and earth and served as a foreshadowing of Jesus’ coming.
2. Jesus as the Ultimate Tabernacle: Jesus “tabernacled” among us by taking on human flesh. Through Him, we have direct access to God’s presence, a privilege that was once limited to the high priest entering the Holy of Holies.
3. Understanding the Biblical Narrative: The entire Bible points to Jesus. By understanding the story of the Tabernacle and its fulfillment in Christ, we gain a deeper appreciation of God’s rescue plan and our role in it.
4. Living Out Our Mission: As believers, we are called to bring God’s glory into every corner of creation. This mission is energized by our worship and shaped by the story of Jesus as seen in the Bible.
5. Daily Presence of God: Just as the Israelites followed the cloud and fire of God’s presence, we are called to invite and recognize God’s presence in our daily lives. This transforms our ordinary moments into opportunities for divine encounter.

8 Ending Prayer

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the rich insights we’ve gained from today’s discussion. As we go forth from this place, help us to carry Your presence with us in all that we do. May we be mindful of Your glory and seek to reflect it in our interactions and decisions. Empower us to live out our mission with passion and purpose, bringing Your light into every corner of our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray. 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.