ALTHOUGH HE IS HIGH ABOVE US, GOD DESIRES TO DWELL WITH US. 

SCRIPTURE | 1 Kings 8:3-11,54-63 

CENTRAL TRUTH 

If we are really going to live out our faith—if we are really going to be devoted to God and obey Him— then our hearts have to belong to Him. Our love of God motivates our obedience to His commands. 

KEY QUESTION 

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT FOR OUR HEARTS TO BE DEVOTED TO GOD IF WE’RE GOING TO “WALK IN ALL HIS WAYS” (V. 58)? 

KEEP IN MIND 

Our students want to be respected. In fact, some of them work really hard to gain the respect of family members, friends, and peers. But they aren’t always great at showing respect. This shows up in the ways they treat authority figures; they buy into the mentality that people in authority don’t deserve respect until they’ve earned it. Here’s the deal with God though: He is worthy of respect. His very nature commands it. He is perfect, holy, good. While most of our students would probably agree with this, their actions each day may not reflect that they respect God. Push students to consider if their life reflects a deep respect for God. Encourage them to examine their words, actions, and priorities—even their behavior during worship. Does it reveal a respect for God’s holy presence? 

APPLICATION 

WHAT NEEDS TO CHANGE THIS WEEK SO THAT YOU’RE LIVING AS IF YOU’RE GOD’S TEMPLE? 

THE WIN 

FOR THE STUDENT: Students can consider praying something like, “God, make me more aware of Your nearness to me. Make me more aware of Your Spirit living within me. And help me to live in a way that honors Your presence.” God has promised He will draw near to us when we draw near to Him (James 4:8). When students move toward Him, He will be faithful to make them more aware of His presence. 

FOR THE LEADER: We should feel honored that God wants to be so close to us that He is willing to live within us. Next, we should realize the responsibility we have to conduct our lives in a way that reveals He lives within us.