Creating Space Expecting Harvest: Tools That Work-Even Buildings
TEXTS: OT SURVEY, GEN 8:11; EX 4:16, 17; NUM 22:28-31; JONAH 4:6-11; EX 25-30; EX 31:1-11. NT SURVEY, MK 11:9-11, 15-17; AC 2:42-47; AC 14:1; HE 10:24, 25; 1CO 14:23-26
- Some of the tools God used to communicate (especially in the OT) and deliver messages to man were sometimes a bit unexpected (a dove, a stick, a donkey, a worm)! How does this square with the way God chose to bring His son, Jesus into the world? Why does God do this? How does God’s choice of tools impact our understanding of the gospel message?
- The Tabernacle, after the cross, served a different function than before the cross. From what you know about the Tabernacle/Temple, compare and contrast how they functioned as tools God used in pre/post cross days. How does this affect our understanding of how the church building should function today?
- While the church building is not the Temple, it is still an important tool God uses to advance His Kingdom. Should all of us, as believers, be involved in a local church? What do you think are the greatest challenges a larger church has in effective worship and disciple-making? What are some of your suggestions for improving how larger churches can most effectively use their tool? (Hopefully, Life Groups are high on your list!)
- Because we do it regularly, there is a sense in which coming to church can become ritualistic. How is coming together as the church more about being the church and not just doing church? After we leave the building how are we still the church?