The Gospel Project Devotion-August 18-24, 2013

Unit 12, Session 2: Solomon Built the Temple

1 Kings 6:1–8:66

Christ Connection: Because God is holy, only the priests could approach God—and only if they followed specific instructions. Ordinary people had no direct access to the holy presence of God. Jesus changed all that. By His death on the cross, Jesus took away our sin. We can approach God intimately and individually when we trust Jesus as Lord and Savior.

Adult Connection Point:

First Corinthians 6:19-20 says that our bodies are a sanctuary, or temple, of the Holy Spirit. What does the Holy Spirit do? The Holy Spirit will not leave the Christian alone. He promises to purify us, to clean up our mess, and to get rid of the garbage polluting our lives. (See 1 Cor. 6:9-11.) Before we came to Christ, we chose our own way. The only way for us to be made clean is through the blood of Jesus and the power of the Holy Spirit.

Family Devotion:

Materials: cereal boxes, index cards or playing cards, drinking straws, or other items that could be used for construction

Place the supplies in the middle of a table or on the floor. Challenge your family to build a structure that will stand on its own. Once the family builds the structure, talk about what items make it strong or able to stand on its own.

Discuss various elements of worship. Talk about singing. Sing the key passage song from the family app. Talk about giving. Share your family’s strategy for giving back to God through your local church. Talk about listening to a pastor’s sermon, which helps people understand the Bible. Encourage your kids to have a daily time where they read their own Bibles.

Say: “In the Old Testament, the temple was a very important place because God’s presence was there. Churches are important today because believers meet together to worship God there. But God is with believers everywhere. When you trust in Jesus, the Holy Spirit is with you always.”

Finally talk about prayer as being a part of worship. Say: “Prayer is talking and listening to God. We can talk to God anytime and anywhere.” Invite your family to pray silently.