The Gospel Project: Parent's Help Week of Feb 6, 2013

Unit 6, Session 2: The Tabernacle Was Built

Dear Parents,

Talk about your church with your kids. What makes your church unique? Do you meet in a traditional church building structure, or do you meet in a more temporary place? The tabernacle was built as a temporary structure used to worship God and to house His presence. God’s presence would lead the nation of Israel, and they would follow. Whenever His presence would stop, the tabernacle would be set up for worship.

The tabernacle in the Old Testament was the physical place where God’s Spirit dwelled as the Israelites journeyed to the land God had promised Abraham. The tabernacle gives us a clear picture of God’s desire to dwell with His people and to be worshiped by them. The word tabernacle means “to dwell.” To show in the New Testament God’s desire for dwelling with His people has not ended, He sent Jesus to tabernacle (dwell) with people on earth.

 

Unit 6, Session 2: The Tabernacle Was Built

Exodus 35:4–40:38

 

Christ Connection:

 

God instructed the Israelites to build a tabernacle so that He could dwell with them. God desires to be with His people. As part of His plan of salvation, God sent Jesus to “tabernacle,” or dwell with people on earth.

Adult Connection Point:

Wisdom guides our priorities and points us to Christ (Eccl. 12:13-14). The Bible talks about Jesus in different ways so we see Him for who He really is. Jesus was sent to “tabernacle,” or dwell with people on earth. He is God’s presence with us - God with us. Jesus is also our wisdom: “But it is from Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who became God-given wisdom for us - our righteousness, sanctification, and redemption” (1 Cor. 1:30). Jesus fulfills these two Old Testament concepts and many more besides.

Family Devotion:

Supplies Needed: Bible, tent (or sheets and clothespins), picture of the tabernacle (if possible)

Set up a tent outside or make a tent out of sheets using clothespins to attach the sheet to your furniture. Allow your children to plan and create the “tabernacle” as much as possible. Sit inside the tent as you do your devotional.

Read Exodus 40:1-16.

Say: God was very specific on how He wanted the tabernacle and every article in it to be built. Moses and all the workers “did everything just as the LORD had commanded.” God would not have shown up if the tent had been built differently or not according to His plan.

Read Exodus 40:36-38.

Say: God wants to be present with His people. He was pleased to live among His people. Whenever the Israelites moved, the tent moved, too. And so did God. God had another plan for us, though, a very specific plan. He sent Jesus to “tabernacle” or dwell with us. This was His plan from long ago --to be present with us.

Have you seen evidence of God’s presence in your family? Encourage your family to look for ways God is present in their lives this coming week. Thank God for wanting to live among you.