Gospel BC – Soloman

Day 1: God Desires to Dwell with His People

Summary:

From Eden to the Temple, and ultimately through Christ, God’s consistent desire is clear: to dwell among His people. Solomon’s temple was a monumental moment in redemptive history—a visible symbol of God’s presence. But it was only a shadow of something greater to come.

Read:

• Exodus 25:8 – “They are to make a sanctuary for me so that I may dwell among them.”

• 1 Chronicles 28:20

• John 1:14 – “The Word became flesh and dwelt among us…”

Background:

Solomon was chosen to build the first permanent temple in Jerusalem. His father David had a deep longing for this, but God appointed Solomon to carry it out. This temple represented a new stage in God’s presence among His people.

Key Words:

• Dwell (Hebrew: shakan) – To reside, to abide.

• Tabernacle (Greek: skēnoō) – Used in John 1:14, meaning “to pitch a tent” or “to dwell.”

Theological Truths:

“God’s desire has always been to dwell with His people—not merely to redeem them from sin, but to commune with them in intimate fellowship.” – John Owen

“The Tabernacle and the Temple were types—temporary shadows pointing us to Christ, in whom all fullness of deity dwells bodily.” – Herman Bavinck

Questions for Reflection:

1. How do you typically think about God’s presence—distant or near?

2. What does it say about God’s heart that He desires to dwell with you?

3. Where in your daily life do you recognize God’s presence most clearly?

Application:

Spend time today in a quiet place and invite God’s presence. Reflect on His desire to be with you, not just in church but in every part of your life.

Day 2: The Temple Points to a Greater Reality

Summary:

Solomon’s temple, though grand, could not contain the infinite God. It was never about the building—it was about pointing to a deeper truth: God’s ultimate dwelling would be in Christ and in His people.

Read:

• 1 Kings 8:27

• Acts 17:24–25

• Hebrews 9:24

Background:

Solomon, the wisest king, understood that no earthly structure could house God. The temple was a symbol, a shadow of something greater that would come through Christ.

Key Words:

• Foreshadow – A symbol or event that prefigures a future reality.

• Glory – The manifest presence of God.

Theological Truths:

“The temple’s inability to contain God foreshadows the truth that only Christ—fully God and fully man—could perfectly reveal Him.” – Geerhardus Vos

“The ceremonial law pointed beyond itself to the substance, which is found in Christ alone.” – John Calvin

Questions for Reflection:

1. Why do you think God gave Israel a physical temple if He couldn’t be contained by it?

2. In what ways do we sometimes limit God to certain “places” or situations?

3. How does knowing that God is everywhere change how you pray or worship?

Application:

Walk through your home or workplace today and verbally acknowledge God’s presence in each space. Invite Him into every corner of your life.

Day 3: Jesus Is the True Temple

Summary:

Jesus is the fulfillment of everything the temple stood for—God dwelling with us. Through His incarnation, life, death, and resurrection, He made a way for God’s presence to be with us permanently.

Read:

• John 2:19–21

• John 14:15–17

• Colossians 2:9

Background:

Jesus refers to His body as the true temple. With His coming, the old system is fulfilled. The Word tabernacled among us—and in doing so, opened the way for us to become the dwelling place of God.

Key Words:

• Incarnation – God taking on human flesh.

• Indwelling – The permanent presence of the Holy Spirit in believers.

Theological Truths:

“Christ is the temple where God and man meet. In Him, the fullness of God dwells, and through Him, the veil is torn.” – Sinclair Ferguson

“The presence of God in Christ is the climax of all redemptive history.” – Louis Berkhof

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does it mean to you that Jesus is the temple?

2. How does Christ replace and fulfill the Old Testament sacrificial system?

3. How should your understanding of Jesus affect how you approach God?

Application:

Take 10 minutes to worship Jesus today—not asking for anything, but simply thanking Him for making God accessible to you.

Day 4: We Are Now God’s Temple

Summary:

Because of Jesus, believers are now the temple of the living God. His Spirit dwells within us—not temporarily, but permanently. This truth shapes our identity, our holiness, and our mission.

Read:

• 1 Corinthians 3:16–17

• Ephesians 2:21–22

• John 3:3–6

Background:

This is not just personal but corporate. The church, together, is being built into a holy dwelling. You are not just saved from sin—you are saved for presence and purpose.

Key Words:

• Sanctification – The process of being made holy.

• Temple – A sacred place where God dwells.

Theological Truths:

“Believers are not only justified—they are indwelt. The Spirit’s residence in the believer marks a radical transformation of identity and purpose.” – R.C. Sproul

“The church is not a building but a people—a spiritual temple founded on Christ.” – Charles Hodge

Questions for Reflection:

1. What does it mean that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit?

2. How should this truth affect how you treat your body and mind?

3. How does being a temple shape your relationship with other believers?

Application:

Ask the Holy Spirit today to show you any area of your life that does not reflect His holiness—and respond in obedience.

Day 5: Be the Presence of God to the World

Summary:

God doesn’t just dwell in you for your sake. You are now a living temple—a beacon of His presence to the world. Others should experience God’s nearness through you.

Read:

• Romans 12:1–2

• Matthew 5:14–16

• 2 Corinthians 5:20

Background:

The temple was where people came to meet God. Now, the world should meet God in you. Your life is a testimony to His love, holiness, and truth.

Key Words:

• Ambassador – A representative carrying the authority of another.

• Witness – One who reflects and testifies to what they’ve experienced.

Theological Truths:

“The church is the light of the world because it is the dwelling place of the Spirit. We are temples not only for worship but for mission.” – Abraham Kuyper

“The Christian life is a visible display of God’s invisible presence.” – Martyn Lloyd-Jones

Questions for Reflection:

1. Do people encounter God’s presence through your life?

2. What area of your life do you need to surrender so His presence can shine more clearly?

3. Who around you needs to hear or see the gospel lived out?

Application:

Choose one person this week to intentionally encourage, serve, or share the gospel with. Be the presence of God to them.