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Love
Teaching Text: Ephesians 2:19-22
Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.
Themes
Consider these themes and ask your group what else they see in the passage:
The Temple of God as a place of Prayer
Presence
Watch or listen to the sermon. Then take a moment of silence and think about these questions:
Ask God to open your heart and mind to understand Ephesians anew as we start this season.
Thank Him for the blessings He has given you already, even those you might be unaware of.
“And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.” - Ephesians 2:22
Take a moment of quiet and consider what it means that God made us his dwelling place.
Pray a prayer of gratitude that God would do such a great thing for us.
Formation
Thoughts and notes you can use for discussion:
This text says we are to be the temple of God. the place He dwells.
NT Wright says that in Jewish culture many believed that the temple was the place where earth and heaven met. And so what we have is the Creator God leaving His dwelling place in the skies (translated as heaven, or the heavens), and coming to earth in the temple. So the temple was a place where heaven and earth would meet.
Dwelling – the presence of God (Heaven is meeting earth)
Image – a representation of God
Solomon prays that God would hear them when they pray in the temple… and God’s response is incredible.
“If my people, which are called by My name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” - 2 Chronicles 7:14
God says He will hear.
God says He will forgive.
God says He will heal.
When we come to Him humbly. And pray.
God has promised to hear our prayers
His attention is fixed on those who are His temple on earth.
The place heaven meets earth.
Heaven’s understanding meets our confusion
Heaven’s resources meet our lack
Heaven’s power meets our weakness
Heaven’s truth meets our confusion
God himself meets with us.
““It is written,” He said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’...” - Matthew 21:13a
Jesus is actually quoting the prophet Isaiah here.
In Chapter 56 of Isaiah, the prophet is speaking the word of the Lord, so these are God’s words. And this particular chapter is all about inclusivity–much like Paul is saying in Ephesians, God is saying, everyone gets in (foreigners, eunuchs–anyone who keeps my sabbaths, abstains from evil, do what pleases me and hold fast to the covenant). And in that context he says:
“these I will bring to my holy mountain and give them joy in my house of prayer. Their burnt offerings and sacrifices will be accepted on my altar; for my house will be called a house of prayer for all nations.” The Sovereign Lord declares— he who gathers the exiles of Israel: “I will gather still others to them besides those already gathered.”” - Isaiah 56:7-8
God is saying that his plan is to gather everyone together–everybody gets in. And the defining characteristic of His people–what God wants to be most true about the house that is going to bear His name–is that it is going to be a place of prayer.
The Lord’s prayer is a place to start as we trust that God wants to hear us and meet our needs.
Take some time to read and meditate on this prayer. Maybe read it twice and listen to what stands out to your heart.
Our Father, in heaven, Hallowed be thy Name.
Your Kingdom come.
Your will be done on earth, As it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread.
And forgive us our sin, As we forgive those who have sinned against us.
And lead us not into temptation, But deliver us from evil.
For yours is the kingdom, The power, and the glory, Forever and ever. Amen.
What about this prayer stands out to you?
Which part may surprise you this time you read it?
Why do you think the spirit of God is highlighting this part of the prayer?
Love
Read these notes and discuss the questions below:
We saw through the texts above that God’s intent with temple prayer is inclusivity. It becomes an invitation for others to enjoy Him too.
If we are the place where God dwells, then we are the place where people around us see Him and meet Him.
Consider people who God has brought into your life whom He wants to show Himself and His character and love through your life to them.
Mention to each other one or two names of people who God might have placed in your life so they might see Him.
