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Solomon Builds the Temple SESSION 9 Solomon Builds the Temple Summary and Goal Solomon built a temple for the Lord, and that temple bore God’s name, manifested God’s presence, and represented God’s glory to the world. As Christians, we belong to the church, described by the apostles as “the temple of God.” In the Old Testament, the temple referred to a place. In the New Testament, the temple refers to a people. We are being built together as God’s residence—a beacon of light and hope to the world. Main Passages 1 Kings 5:1-5 1 Kings 8:10-14,54-61 Session Outline 1. The temple bears God’s name (1 Kings 5:1-5). 2. The temple hosts God’s presence (1 Kings 8:10-14). 3. The temple is for God’s mission (1 Kings 8:54-61). Theological Theme Because of the Holy Spirit’s presence, God’s people are the temple of God today, the people who bear His name and join His mission. Christ Connection The temple was to be a place where the name of God would be upheld and the presence of God would be experienced so that the nations would know that the Lord is God. Jesus spoke of Himself as God’s temple, and in His life, death, and resurrection, He upheld God’s name, embodied God’s presence, and extended God’s mission. Missional Application God calls us to be devoted to Him in obedience so that the original purpose of the temple can be fulfilled—the people of the earth will know our God is King. Date of My Bible Study: ______________________ 103 © 2016 LifeWay Christian Resources. Permission granted to reproduce and distribute within the license agreement with purchaser. Session Plan Solomon Builds the Temple Session 9 Introduction Pack Item 8: Share the information about Burj Khalifa, the tallest building in the world, to The Temple show how large structures send a message (leader p. 106; PSG p. 83). Display this poster prior to the group meeting and refer List some of the great structures and buildings of history. to it as needed throughout this session. What comes to mind when you think of them? What do these buildings communicate? Introduction Option Say that many of the greatest leaders and world powers of history have Prior to the group meeting, buildings that bear their name (leader p. 106). Then summarize this session enlist a group member who has visited a world-famous about Solomon’s building the temple for the Lord (leader p. 107; PSG p. 84). monument or building to open the session by sharing briefly about his 1. The temple bears God’s name (1 Kings 5:1-5). or her experience and Mention that names are powerful, and then ask a volunteer to read reflections about that visit, especially the “message” 1 Kings 5:1-5. Give some background on how before the construction of that was being sent by the the temple, Israel’s God was not associated with any particular place. Note monument or building. the first of two reasons that Solomon built the temple: Through God’s Then, if time allows, ask one or two volunteers to sovereign work, God gave Solomon rest on every side (leader pp. 107-108; share their experiences and PSG pp. 84-85). the message that was sent. What ideas and beliefs do you think were communicated to the Israelites when they visited the temple? For Further What ideas and beliefs do you think were communicated to Discussion people outside Israel when they saw the temple? How does Jesus’ speaking of Himself as the temple distinguish Christianity State the second reason that Solomon built the temple was because of God’s from other religions? gracious promise to King David that he would. Then comment on how the What does it say about temple points to Jesus (leader pp. 108-109; PSG p. 85). Reference Pack Item 3: God’s initiative and grace Seeing Jesus in the Kingdom toward humanity? as you make this connection between the temple and Jesus. What purposes of the temple are fulfilled by Jesus? 104 Leader Guide 2. The temple hosts God’s presence (1 Kings 8:10-14). Point 3 Option Read the “Essential Read 1 Kings 8:10-14, and talk about what the event signified Christian Doctrine” (leader pp. 109-110; PSG p. 86). Use the examples provided in the leader Temple of the Holy Spirit content to illustrate the larger biblical theme of God’s presence (leader p. 110). (leader p. 112; PSG p. 89). Ask groups of 2-3 to discuss the following When have you sensed the reality of God’s presence? questions (consider writing What was it about that time that convinced you it was the them on a board or sheet of paper for groups to have; Spirit working? also available on the DVD in The Gospel Project for Transition to the New Testament’s teaching about Jesus and believers as the Adults: Leader Pack): • How should our identity temple of God. Call attention to how many Christians fail to consider this as the temple of the Holy reality during worship gatherings (leader pp. 110-111; PSG p. 87). Spirit inform our everyday lives, including the Talk honestly about your attitude toward gathering for mundane moments? worship on Sundays. What are some things you can • Why do we find it difficult to remember we are the do to prepare for worship to make it more meaningful temple of the Holy Spirit, and edifying? and what can we do to help us remember? 3. The temple is for God’s mission After a couple of moments, call for the groups to share (1 Kings 8:54-61). some of their responses Read 1 Kings 8:54-61, introducing how the notion of mission emerges from and reflections the passage. Use Psalm 67; Exodus 19:5-6; and Habakkuk 2:14 to show how the temple in Israel represented what God wanted to do in the whole earth (leader pp. 111-112; PSG p. 88). If we are the temple of God today, then we are to represent God to the world. What should our identity as God’s temple communicate to the nations today? Christ Connection: The temple was to be a place Emphasize the urgency of mission for Christians as those who are where the name of God would be upheld and the now the temple of God on the earth, saying that mission begins with presence of God would be ordinary Christians having ordinary conversations with ordinary people experienced so that the (leader pp. 112-113; PSG p. 89). nations would know that the Lord is God. Jesus spoke of Himself as God’s temple, What is your greatest fear when it comes to living on and in His life, death, and mission for the gospel? resurrection, He upheld God’s name, embodied God’s presence, and How does God’s heart for the world help you overcome extended God’s mission. these fears? ........................................................ Missional Application: God Conclusion calls us to be devoted to Him in obedience so that Restate the two great truths of this session: 1) God wants to dwell among His the original purpose of the people, and 2) God wants to make His name known to the nations temple can be fulfilled—the people of the earth will (leader p. 113; PSG p. 90). Apply the truths of this session with “His Mission, know our God is King. Your Mission” (PSG p. 91). Session 9 105 Expanded Session Content Solomon Builds the Temple Session 9 Introduction Voices from Burj Khalifa, located in Dubai, is the tallest building in the world. the Church The building’s website states: “More than just the world’s tallest building, “The church is the temple Burj Khalifa is an unprecedented example of international cooperation, of the living God…built on symbolic beacon of progress, and an emblem of the new, dynamic and the foundations of the prophets and apostles, prosperous Middle East. It is also tangible proof of Dubai’s growing role with Jesus Christ as the in a changing world. In fewer than 30 years, this city has transformed chief cornerstone.” 2 itself from a regional centre to a global one. This success was not based –Michael Bird on oil reserves, but on reserves of human talent, ingenuity and initiative. Burj Khalifa embodies that vision.” 1 As you can tell from this summary, the Burj Khalifa is not just a building; it’s a message. Its significance extends beyond its towering summit. It is intended to communicate something to the rest of the world. History has seen its share of large structures—towers, castles, and walls. People have been building things since the tower of Babel. If you want to get the world’s attention, build a large building! List some of the great structures and buildings of history. What comes to mind when you think of them? What do these buildings communicate? Many of the greatest leaders and the world powers of history have buildings that bear their name. The same was true in King Solomon’s day. The surrounding nations had erected temples for their gods. But Yahweh, the God of Israel, was no local deity. He is the God of the whole world (Ex. 9:16). He is the maker and sustainer of the universe, the ruler of all the nations, and Israel was to represent His name and renown before the rest of the world. 106 Leader Guide Session Summary In this session, we will learn about Solomon building a temple for the Lord.
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