[Sunday] House - Rise & Fall
David feels bad as he looks around his really nice house made of cedar; the Lord needs a house like this. Peter sees Jesus bright and shiny on the mountain and immediately wants to build a house for Jesus. But Jesus, with the Lord’s house behind him, says, “Tear it down, and I will rebuild it in 3 days.” We realize it has never been about the house we want to build.
Questions This Week
Read 2 Samuel chapters 6 and 7.
What is the greatest church building you’ve ever seen? What made it so great?
What are ways we are tempted to think we are building things for God that actually honor ourselves?
Read 2 Samuel 7:1-17. Why does David want to build a house for the Lord?
How does God describe being with his people? As David thinks he’s going to build a house for God, what does God promise to do (see verses 12-16)?
God isn’t confined to a building and promises to go with you wherever you go. Describe a time when this has given you peace.
Virtually every life transforming event recorded in Scripture includes a journey, a process the people involved go through that leads to insight, transformation and new life for all willing to engage that journey. The journey always includes elements of sacrifice, worship, trust and faith. Christmas is about Jesus making the journey from heaven to earth, for the Magi it was the journey from wisdom to humility. For us, it is a journey to wonder and new life.