INTRODUCTION TO THE SERIES
We were created not only by an infinite, all-powerful God—the One who measures the waters in the palm of His hand (Isaiah 40:12) and holds the endless number of stars in the sky (Isaiah 40:26)—but by a God who is closer to us than the air we breathe. From Genesis to Revelation, God has pursued us with His love, that we might have a personal, intimate relationship with Him.

The Bible is full of stories of people who encountered this powerful and personal God. People who suffered, people who lost their way, people who longed for hope and redemption. Moses was one of these people. During this series, we’ll look at several stories in the life of Moses that give us a picture of these divine, intimate encounters with God. May we learn from Moses what it looks like to walk with God, face to face.

SERIES THEME VERSES
The LORD would speak to Moses face to face, as one speaks to a friend. Exodus 33:11a (NIV)

Since then, no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom the LORD knew face to face…
Deuteronomy 34:10 (NIV)

CONNECT
Respond to either or both of these to get the conversation rolling.
1. I just don’t know how people can live without…
2. What stood out to you from the Sunday morning message?

PRAY
A simple centering prayer: Dear Lord, You are the giver of Life.1 You have redeemed me.2 Your love cannot be measured or stolen.3 With joy You have drawn water from the wells of salvation.4 Because I have Jesus, I have life.5

Lord, we lay down the burdens and responsibilities of the day and turn our eyes toward You. Help us be present with You. Help us be here and nowhere else. Quiet our minds and restore our union with You. [This would be a good time to take a few deep breaths.]

We pray You’d put thoughts in our minds and stir our hearts in ways that draw each of us closer to You. Help us hear Your voice and experience more of who You really are. Amen.

Add to this your own words of prayer.
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1 Job 33:4; Acts 17:25 2 Isaiah 43:1; Hebrews 9:12 3 Jeremiah 31:3; Romans 8:38-39; 4 Isaiah 12:3; 5 1 John 5:11-12.

A COUPLE QUICK INSIGHTS ABOUT THE TABERNACLE
◼️In Exodus 25, the terms sanctuary and tabernacle are related but not identical.
🔘Sanctuary means holy place, set apart – describing its purpose as the sacred dwelling place of God.
🔘Tabernacle means dwelling place, tent – describing the physical structure of the tent itself.

◼️It is estimated that the present-day value of the materials total more than $13 million. Their combined weight would be almost 19,000 pounds and measure 150 ft. x 75 ft. (Based upon generally agreed translation of Bible numbers and measurements.)

◼️Despite its size and weight, the tabernacle was portable. The Levites were responsible for setting it up and taking it down during travel (see Numbers 1:50–53).

Recommended Reading:
God Dwells Among Us: Expanding Eden to the Ends of the Earth, G.K. Beale and Mitchell Kim

These questions primarily involve the idea of God dwelling with us. For more in-depth study and discussion, continue on with the Gospel Focus section below.

1. How does it strike you that God designed the tabernacle, but wanted the Israelites to build it instead of making it Himself? What do you think He had in mind?

2. Why do you think God gave such detailed instructions for the tabernacle?

3. Ultimately, why did God want the Israelites to build a sanctuary? What did He know that they didn’t?

4. Share ways God’s gracious promise to dwell in us has softened your outlook on life and impacted the way you treat others.

5. How would your approach to relationships and daily responsibilities be different if you were more aware of God’s desire to be near? Discuss some relevant examples.

6. Read Exodus 28:9-13. What’s the significance that the names of the sons of Israel were to be engraved on the onyx stones?

7. Discuss ways in which life’s challenges distance us from the nearness of God. Reflect on some personal examples.

8. How has the promise of God’s nearness been influencing the prayers you’ve been praying?

9. How can our church be a modern-day tabernacle – a place where God’s presence is felt and known?

10. What’s a specific way you can make space for God this week? Anything special or unique come to mind?

11. Pause and think of someone you know who’s far away from God. Who comes to mind? Pray their heart would be softened and that God would draw near to them.

GOSPEL FOCUS
1. How does this passage foreshadow Christ as the ultimate dwelling of God among us?

2. The primary place that makes the connection between the tabernacle and Jesus can be found in Hebrews 8-10. Read and reflect on these chapters. What do you see? What do these mean to you personally?

PERSONAL APPLICATION
Close your time with a minute or two of silence, quietly allowing your heart and mind to settle. Ask God what He wants you to know or do from this week’s study and discussion. Write down what you sense He’s saying to you. Share this with the group and pray for each other.

The only thing that will fill the soul is the divine indwelling.
A.W. Tozer, The Knowledge of the Holy

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.