INCLUDED IN THIS GUIDE
1. Connect
2. Pray
3. Study and Discussion
4. Personal Application
5. Scripture Meditation
6. Scripture Memory

CONNECT
Here are some questions to get the conversation rolling.
◾ Where’s your favorite place you’ve ever lived?
◾ Share either a burden or joy you experienced recently.

PRAY
Spend a few minutes in prayer, drawing your attention toward God.
◾ Begin by taking a few deep breaths to allow your mind and heart to settle.
◾ Ask God to break through the noise so you can hear His voice.
◾ Release to God specific people, responsibilities, burdens or areas of life.
God, I trust you with this…, and I trust you with this…
◾ Lord, please use this time to draw my heart closer to You.

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
This week’s study focuses on the idea that God dwells with, and eventually in, His people. Notice the progression throughout the Scriptures: God dwelt in beautiful union with Adam and Eve in Eden. Though their intimacy was broken when they turned away from Him, God continued to dwell with the people He made. He traveled with the Israelites in the tent of meeting, the tabernacle and the temple. In the New Testament, God came to earth in the person of Jesus and dwelt (literally, tabernacled, John 1:14) among us. Because of the work of Jesus, His Spirit now fills His church and ultimately dwells in the hearts of those who believe. He has come to make His home in us.

To learn more about the dwelling place of God, read the following Scriptures, then respond to and discuss the questions that follow.

◾ How would you describe the relationship between God and Adam and Eve?

◾ Union with God was broken when they ate the fruit. Because of their guilt and shame they hid from God. When have you found yourself hiding from God?

◾ How did God respond to their hiding?

◾ What do these passages teach you about God?

◾ How did the Israelites experience the presence of God?

◾ Have you ever experienced God this way? Explain.

◾ How does it feel knowing God came to earth as a man to dwell with us?

◾ What do these passages teach you about the heart of God and what’s available to us?

◾ What words or phrases stand out to you in these passages?

◾ How does God dwell in the church?

◾ What does it mean that God dwells in you?

◾ What would it look like for rivers of living water to flow through you this week?

PERSONAL APPLICATION
Spend a few minutes in silence and ask God what He wants to say to you. Pay attention to thoughts that come to mind and what stirs in your heart as you wait for Him. Share how you sense God wants you to respond to this week’s lesson.

SCRIPTURE MEDITATION
Slowly read and reflect on this passage throughout the week. Try turning this passage into a prayer!

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
One of the best ways to hear God throughout the day is to memorize Scripture. God often brings His words back to mind at just the right time!

Here’s a verse to commit to memory based on this week’s theme:

Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 (NIV)

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.