#1537. Bring me an offering to make the Tabernacle (22/6/26)

Welcome to this Come to Jesus Daily Devotional (currently posted on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday) as we begin our series: I Will Dwell Among Them. 

Today, we reflect on the truth:

God provides for each of us so as to contribute to His work and the building of His church 

To watch this devotional, please select the link below:

1. Why does God ask the people for building materials?

This links very much back to our last teaching series on Stewardship; God asks the people to ‘bring me an offering’ for the building of His Tabernacle (as well as also gifting some with skill, and commissioning them, to create the structure and paraphernalia.)

Firstly, very simply, I hope we can see that the God who owns all things, who is Almighty, who has no lack, nevertheless, provides for His people things that they are to give back to Him. God’s work is usually carried out through the generosity and faith of God’s people! We may wish that God would just miraculously provide without our needing to be involved with prayerful, sacrificial faith, but that, in the end, would stunt our growth and remove the privilege and dignity that comes from making a real contribution to His work.  

2. How are we to be led in our giving to build God’s house?

This series is about how we are to be a people of worship and who have God’s presence at our heart, however, we cannot get away from how stewardship of our resources and skills is a big part of worship!

If we are to be led by God in giving to the building of His church, we must believe that we have an important part to play and that God wants us to play it! In football, as in any team, each player is ready and willing to play their part; likewise, none of us are to be spectators who are simply watching the match - maybe critiquing, whilst eating pies - we are to play a part on God’s team!

Additionally, we are to be prayerful and open to the Spirit’s leading in how we give. Our text tells us, 

Now, I think that this points to two things:

Firstly, this is not some sort of exemption for some not to give; everyone, I believe, was meant to get involved in giving to the Tabernacle, but God only wanted gifts from those with a good heart - a heart willing to give to God. 

Secondly, we are to prayerfully seek God on how we are to give:

3. We give out of what God gives to us

Finally, God’s people were able to give to God’s work because He had given to them. As they left Egypt, we read:

Response

God provides for each of us so as to contribute to His work and the building of His church. 

We read of their willing and generous response:

They were so generous that they even had to be commanded to stop giving:

• In response, firstly, how is our heart? Are we willing to respond to God as to how He wants us to give toward His work and building His church? 

• Secondly, are we aware that all that we have comes from God and is to be used as He leads - we are simply stewards of what He provides, and God has provided for many good reasons, one of which is to help to build His church. 

This year we celebrate the 150th anniversary of the founding of CCP; to watch our anniversary video, please select the link below:

Community Group Study

1. Notices

It might be good to begin with notices. Please share from this week’s Church News. 

2. Icebreaker

How has God been speaking to you from His Word this week, and how has this helped you? 

3. Worship together

Let’s begin our time together by lifting our eyes and hearts to worship our great God. Perhaps you have readings and songs that you would like to use together. Let’s be open to the gifts that the Spirit wants to give in order to encourage one another.

4. Study and pray together

Balanced Time Allocation - Please ensure a balanced focus on discussion, SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite), and prayer so that each section is meaningful and fruitful.

On Sunday, we began our I WILL DWELL AMONG THEM series, reflecting on God’s design for the Tabernacle and how this speaks to us of how we are to seek to build the church. 

Please read Exodus 25:1-9 and discuss:

1. Personal Reflection – What particularly inspired or challenged you from Sunday’s message? How did God speak to you through it?

2. Building Through Stewardship – What do these verses teach us about how God involves His people, through stewardship and generosity, in building His house? Why do you think God, who owns all things, chooses to involve us in His work? (See 2 Corinthians 9:7.)

3. God’s Desire – What does verse 8 teach us about God’s heart and His desire for relationship with His people?

4. God’s Presence – What promise is found in verses 8–9? How is this promise fulfilled in Exodus 40:34–38?

5. Building According to God’s Pattern – Read 1 Peter 2:5 and 1 Corinthians 3:16. What do these passages teach us about God’s dwelling place in the New Testament? How are we to build the church according to God’s plan and not our own ideas?

SIV (Serve, Invest, and Invite)

• From Exodus 25:1-9, Why will building the church according to God’s plan lead to evangelistic fruitfulness? 

• Share Stories – Have you had any recent opportunities to Serve, Invest in, or Invite someone toward Jesus? Let’s encourage one another by sharing testimonies of God at work through us.

• Practical Next Steps – Who is God putting on your heart to reach? Are there any ‘people of peace’ (*see note) in your life—those who are receptive to you and spiritual conversation?

Let’s pray together: 

• Let’s pray for one another based on our study, and bring before God any other needs or requests for prayer.

• Pray for one another's SIV opportunities and boldness in following the Spirit's promptings.

• Pray specifically for the “people of peace” in our lives—asking God to open hearts and provide opportunities to speak life and trut