A SIMPLE THEOLOGY OF PRAYER PART 1
Why Pray? (Understanding the Power and Purpose of Prayer)Lesson 2: We Are God’s House
The Bible teaches clearly that we, as the Church, are God’s house, both individually and corporately. We are Living Stones that make up the house of God Himself. As God’s people, who desire conversation and connection with Him, finding our “tent of meeting” as Moses did, is vital to a healthy, thriving life of prayer. Using Scripture, you will be able to see God’s clear intent for His people and for His Church.
In this lesson you will:
• study the scriptures affirming that you are God’s house.
• discover that being God’s House means you are to be a person of prayer.
• learn how you are a Living Stone and why that is important.
• connect the Day of Pentecost with the dedication of Solomon’s Temple.
• understand the importance of your own “tent of meeting” with God.
Reading:
• Forgotten Power (Chapter 1, pg. 8 [beginning with the last paragraph] – pg. 11)
• Where Is Your Tent of Meeting? https://www.harvestprayer.com/where-is-your-tent-of-meeting/
• Time in the Tent https://www.harvestprayer.com/time-in-the-tent/
• Dwelling in God’s House by Dave Butts https://www.harvestprayer.com/dwelling-in-gods-house/
• Definition: Shekinah glory of God – the visible manifestation of the presence of God…God coming to dwell or inhabit. Examples: smoke filling the temple following Solomon’s prayer of dedication; the flames hovering over the heads of believers at Pentecost; the pillar of fire in the wilderness.
Video 2: We Are God’s House
Questions to Consider:
1. How would your life be different if you had more awareness that you are God’s dwelling place on earth?
2. Consider these two truths from God’s word: You are God’s house (Ephesians 2:22) and You are to live in His house (Psalm 23:6, Psalm 27:4). Is this difficult to grasp? Why or why not?
3. Think about what it means for you to be a “living stone.” How will this scriptural fact affect how you see yourself as part of the Body of Christ? Will it change your thoughts and behavior? Why or why not?
4. How did the explanation of the two appearances of the Shekinah glory of God 1,000 years apart help you to see God’s intent for how you are to live as a believer?
5. How do you relate to this statement in Dave’s blog, Where Is Your Tent of Meeting?: “You can’t hide a life hidden with God. By its very nature, a life of spiritual intimacy and prayer is quiet and doesn’t cry out for attention, but the transformation it brings to an individual’s life begins to cry out with power.”?
6. Time in the Tent describes Joshua’s journey of intimacy with God as he is led towards becoming Moses’ successor. Discuss how this time with the Father shaped Joshua into the leader God intended him to be.
7. As a group, or on your own if you are studying this material individually, take these three scriptural realities and define them in a way that makes sense to everyone in the group: Tent of Meeting, Living Stone(s), House of Prayer for All Nations.
8. Do you see your church struggling to define itself in the midst of the culture in which we live? Explain your answer. How might becoming a praying church change this definition?
Watch Dave’s Summary Video (2-3 minutes)
Spend Time in Prayer
- You Are God’s House (Click for PDF)
- Group Leader Instructions – Lessons 1-6 (Click for PDF)
- Instructions for Individual Prayer – Lessons 1-6 (Click for PDF)
Using the PDF provided, read and pray through the scriptures affirming that you as an individual, and you as the community of believers in your church, are God’s house.
Next Steps:
Prayerfully consider these things as you go about your week:
• Finding Your Tent of Meeting by Kim Butts https://www.harvestprayer.com/finding-your-tent-of-meeting/
• Where is your tent of meeting with God? Maybe you have several places. If not, find a place in or near your home where you can meet with God regularly just to spend time alone with Him.
Hint: His word is one place to meet with God that can be with you wherever you are.
• Ask God to reveal how your personal house of prayer (your living stone) builds up your church. What will you do about what you hear/sense from the Father? What might happen if your stone is not put into the building up of the corporate house of prayer – your church?
If you think your stone doesn’t matter, ask God to show you how it fits perfectly into His design plans for the community of believers you worship with.
Supplemental Material for Lesson 2:
•Has God Moved Your Heart to Build His House? By Dave Butts
https://www.harvestprayer.com/has-god-moved-your-heart-to-build-his-house/
• A Prayer Concerning God’s House by Dave Butts
https://www.harvestprayer.com/a-prayer-concerning-gods-house/
Optional Consultation/Question-Answer Session
With every PrayerU course, there is an option to have a one-hour Zoom session with your instructor(s). This is your opportunity to engage your instructor(s) on a personal level with either a question-answer session, a deeper level conversation about the course content, or both.
There is an additional cost for the consultation session and scheduling is subject to availability.