Solomon builds the temple for the Lord. Note:
To love Christ more is the deepest need, the constant cry of my soul…. Out in the woods and on my bed and out driving, when I am happy and busy, and when I am sad and idle, the whisper keeps going up for more love, more love, more love!– Elizabeth Payson Prentiss
(6-7) The Picture: How would you describe the temple building and its furnishings? What is it supposed to convey about God?
(6, 9) The Promise: What promise does God make to Solomon regarding the temple in 6:11-13 and 9:4-9? How do we see this play out in later history?
(8) The Presence: What happens after the ark is brought into the temple (v10-11)? What does this tell us about God?
Where does God dwell according to v13, 27, & 30? What twin truths does this tell us about God? How should we respond?
(8) The Prayer: What is the repeated request in Solomon’s prayer (v28-53)?
What does this prayer tell us about our nature and our need?
Describe the interplay between God and people as it relates to our hearts (v39-40, 57-58, 61). How should we respond?
(8) The Purpose: What is one important purpose of the temple (v43, 60)? How well did Israel fulfill this purpose? How well do we?
(6, 8) The Preview: How does 8:19 point forward to Jesus and a greater temple (see Ephesians 2:19-22)?
How do 6:11-22 preview a final temple in Revelation 21?
Here are some good posts for your weekend reading:
What We Need Most – Kevin DeYoung
I’m convinced that more evangelism, more prayer, more fruitfulness, more holiness will flow from the fountain of our lives only when we start drinking more deeply of Christ.
70 Prompts for Praising God – Lianna (Of Larks)
Praise Him with me through this list of 70 prompts…
The King Is Within Earshot – Tim Challies
If you would simply consider how much God loves that other person, you would never speak ill of him.
The Weight of the Church – Nicholas Batzig
…the church is far weightier than any job or school in this world. It is the place of God’s promised spiritual blessing.
Hope you have a great week worshiping our great Lord with your local church!
Solomon asks for wisdom and prepares to build the temple.
David makes Solomon the next king and charges him to be faithful to God.
(2) God wanted David’s descendants to walk before Him in faithfulness with all their heart and soul (v4). What does faithfulness to God look like in the context of v3?
Why does faithfulness require us to pay close attention to ourselves (v4a)? Do you?
Why is the phrase “with all their heart and soul” so significant to being faithful? How would you describe your heart?
(2) David charged Solomon to be strong (v2). Why is being strong essential to being faithful to God?
In what specific situations in your life do you need to be strong?
What hinders you from being strong?
Where does strength ultimately come from (Ephesians 6:10)?
(3) Solomon answered the call to faithfulness – loving the Lord and walking in His ways (v3). How do “loving” and “walking” relate to each other (see also John 14:15)?
(3) God offered Solomon anything he wanted, and Solomon asked for wisdom. Why is wisdom essential for faithfulness to God?
(3-4) Despite Solomon’s overall faithfulness, he followed the way of the world in two ways – he married Pharaoh’s daughter as part of a treaty (3:1) and amassed many horses for his army (4:26, see Deuteronomy 17:16). From the world’s point of view, why do both of these things make sense? What spiritual dangers do they bring?
In what ways are we tempted to follow the way of the world today instead of being faithful to God?
What principles from this study do we need to apply to our lives to help us overcome these temptations?
Behold our Lord – He is with us, As His church to Him belong
Serving, enduring for Jesus, Living right, in doctrine strong
As we do this, living like this,
Jesus will commend our church
But now this I have against you, You have strayed away from love
From dull hearts turn to love anew, People and your God above
Come remember, Come and repent,
Church arise to love again
If we will not, He may remove, Our Church – may this never be
But to those who conquer in love, Life with Him eternally
Let those with ears, His words now hear,
As the Spirit speaks to us
To the tune of “Lo! He Comes with Clouds Descending”
– John MacArthur on Ephesians 2:1-7 in Because The Time Is Near
Here are some helpful posts for singles:
Three Crucial Things Single People Need To Know – Stephen Altrogge (TBC)
The Most Satisfying Single Years – Marshall Segal (DG)
12 Struggles Singles Face – David Murray
Brian J. Mikul 