See Rejoicing Before the Lord: The Sanctuary and Worship (July 23)

Key Thought: The sanctuary worship services centered on God’s provisions to save us from sin and make us holy on a daily basis.

1. Have a volunteer read Exodus 25:1-9.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. Why did God ask Israel to make Him a dwelling place when no building can contain Him?

C. Personal Application: Do you really believe that God sits in the congregation with you when you meet in church on Sabbath? How should that make you feel and act? Share.

D. Case Study : One of your relatives states, “God may have dwelt in the tent sanctuary in the desert, but with the final destruction of Solomon’s temple, God no longer has a sanctuary to dwell in. You don’t believe God would sit in one of your Adventist churches, do you? And which one would He choose each week?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read Exodus 35:1-10.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. Why was God’s call for materials and workers a request for those willing, rather than a command for all to be involved, like the Sabbath command in verses 1-3?

C. Personal Application: Think of your giving of offering, time, talents. Have you experienced feelings of satisfaction and fulfillment in return? Are these sacrifices a part of worship? Share.

D. Case Study : One of your friends states, ”I go to church, pay what I am supposed to pay, and that’s all I have to do. I don’t want people asking me to spend my time on one project or another, because it never ends. When one asks for money, you get five requests the next week. You help one group and six more are at your door. I don’t need to be used up.” How would you respond to your friend?

3. Have a volunteer read Exodus 25:18-22.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. What was the purpose of building the Ark of the Covenant with the cherubim and the mercy seat?

C. Personal Application: How does God communicate to us today without the Ark, the Urim and Thummin, without the prophets? Does He speak to us today? Share.

D. Case Study : One of your neighbors states, “How do you keep a balance between keeping the sanctuary holy and refined and rejoicing in the Lord in your Christian experience? Has your church been too rigid in worship, or become too liberal and lax in sanctuary deportment?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Leviticus 23:39-44.

A. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.

B. What was the significance of the Feast of Booths and how does it relate to our day and age?

C. Personal Application : How much of your personal worship, or the
Church’s, has become a mere formality – berift of the spirit of joy and
thanksgiving? How can this be remedied?

D. Case Study : Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this
week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with
them.

(Note: “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149)

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