Although God is holy, He makes a way for us to come into His presence.

SCRIPTURE | Exodus 40:1-17,34-38

CENTRAL TRUTH

People couldn’t come into God’s presence and live (Ex. 33:20). The tabernacle shows just one of the lengths God went to so that He could be with His people. Though God is high above us, He bends from heaven to be with us. In fact, this is the gospel: God bending down to save us and be with us through Jesus Christ.

Key question

What does the tabernacle show us about God’s desire to be with His people?

Keep in Mind

Many students may struggle to feel God’s presence in their daily lives. It may be helpful to remind them that Jesus promised to send a Helper and Advocate to us after He returned to heaven (John 14:26). As believers, the Holy Spirit dwells inside of us. But to hear Him, we must “keep in step” with Him (Gal. 5:25). We often don’t hear God or feel His nearness because we’re surrounded by too much noise. We’ve packed our calendars and filled every minute of the day, and hearing His voice is difficult. To hear God, to feel His presence, we must draw near to Him, and He promises to draw near to us when we do so (James 4:8).

APPLICATION

How does knowing that God is physically with you help you to walk confidently through the week?

THE WIN

FOR THE STUDENT: Students have something better than a cloud and pillar of fire—even Jesus said so (John 16:7). God doesn’t dwell in a room behind a curtain. As believers, He lives within us. The Holy Spirit of God is our Guide, our Counselor, our Friend (John 14:26). He presses on our hearts when we need to move or act and when we need to stay or be still.

FOR THE LEADER: As we make decisions and lead our students, we can walk in confidence because God is our guide. Through the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives, God checks us, gives us the words we need, and helps us to make wise and godly choices.