God has always wanted to dwell among his people. The Tabernacle is part of the story of God’s presence, but what we have now is so much better.

What is one thing you have learned about the Tabernacle during this series?

On the day the tabernacle, the tent of the covenant law, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. —Numbers 9:15-17 (NIV)

What do you picture when you read about the cloud of God’s presence?

The Tabernacle remained in use (in some form) for just shy of 500 years. It was then replaced by the Temple Solomon built.
The Temple had many similarities to the Tabernacle with several upgrades (as it were), but the point was the same. It was a place for God’s presence to be visible among his people.

When the priests withdrew from the Holy Place, the cloud filled the temple of the Lord. 11 And the priests could not perform their service because of the cloud, for the glory of the Lord filled his temple. —1 Kings 8:10-11 (NIV)

Some form of the Temple would be in use for just about 1,000 years, until Jesus shows up.

In the beginning of John’s gospel, he talks about who this Jesus is. And he calls him the “eternal Word”… Then notice what he says in verse 14.

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. —John 1:14 (NIV)

What point is John making?
What connections do you see between Jesus and the Tabernacle/Temple?

For 1500 years, God’s people were going to a place to see and feel part of the presence of God… But Jesus shows up as the full presence of God and “dwells with” his people. But the story of the presence of God among humanity was not finished in Jesus.

If you love me, keep my commands. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another advocate to help you and be with you forever—17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you. —John 14:15-17 (NIV)

Multiple places in scripture talk about the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
What do you understand about God living in his people?
What connections do you see between this indwelling of the Holy Spirit and the Tabernacle/Temple?

And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple. What’s more, you are his holy priests. Through the mediation of Jesus Christ, you offer spiritual sacrifices that please God. —1 Peter 2:5 (NLT)

What do you understand God’s desire for his people from this passage?

How will you live as God’s spiritual temple this week?