Building the Tabernacle
(Exodus 35-40)
June 8, 2025
Sunday Recap
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Sunday Recap •
Hey Fams!
This week's Bible passage highlights the wonder that a holy God would desire to dwell among His people. In the previous chapter, God instructed the Israelites to obediently abide within His covenantal love. Now, it was time to build the place where God would dwell with His people as they journeyed toward the Promised Land.
What was the significance of the people’s tabernacle offerings? Why don’t Christians meet with the Lord in a tabernacle today?
God’s instructions were for each of the tabernacle’s components to be freely given by all who were willing. He called for artisans to use their skills to construct, create, and design the tabernacle and all its furnishings. Scripture details that everyone whose heart was moved and whose spirit was prompted brought an offering to the Lord for the tent of meeting and its services, as well as for the priest’s holy garments. The people offered up their finest jewelry, textiles, spices, and oils—all of which were initially provided by God Himself when the people fled Egypt. Skilled designers were even gifted the ability to teach others their craft. Together, these craftsmen lent their time and skills to the work of the tabernacle. Eventually, people brought much more than was needed, so Moses ordered them to stop! They had more than enough materials to construct a tent according to God’s commands and worthy of His presence.
Today, though we gather at local churches to worship God and commune with fellow believers, it is not in physical structures where God dwells among His people. Instead, those who are in Christ receive the gift of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. Jesus tells us in John 16:7 that the gift of the Holy Spirit is greater than His physical presence was as He walked among His disciples! Pray for the Lord to prompt the kids in your family to heed His call of salvation, that He would dwell within them as their Lord. May we read of the tabernacle’s splendor and respond, not out of obligation, but in awe of the closeness and kindness of our Lord.
** Next week: Worship at the Tabernacle (Leviticus 16; 19; 26)
This Week's Main Ideas
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This Week's Main Ideas •
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BABIES-TODDLERS
When we trust and believe in Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit, who is always with us.
PRESCHOOL-K
God told Moses to build the tabernacle so He could be with His people. We do not need a tabernacle, because when we trust and believe in Jesus, we are given the Holy Spirit, who is always with us.
1ST-5TH GRADE
God told Moses and the people to build the tabernacle so that He could dwell among them. We no longer need a tabernacle because those who trust in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have been given the Holy Spirit so that God lives in us, not merely near us.
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Q: Why do we need to be saved?
A: We are sinful and cannot save ourselves - we need Jesus to rescue us from sin.
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There isn’t anyone holy like the Lord. There isn’t anyone except him. There isn’t any Rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 NIrV
Family Discipleship Activities
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Family Discipleship Activities •
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Read Exodus 35:4–40:38 from the Bible.
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The Royal Standard is a unique flag that shares the location of the King of England. The flag is used to let the locals know that the King is near them. When he is staying in Buckingham Palace, the flag flies over the palace to show that he is home. When he travels, the flag is flown from the car, plane, or other home for however long he is there. When he leaves, the flag is lowered and goes with him to the next location. With a flag that always tells people where he is, it doesn’t sound like the King would be good at hide and seek!
When the Israelites left Egypt, God went with His people. Like the Royal Standard that shows the King’s presence, God made His presence known by leading the people with a cloud by day and fire by night. God desired to dwell with His people, so He gave Moses instructions to build the tabernacle. This tent would be God’s home to dwell among His people.
Wherever they traveled, the Israelites would set up the tabernacle in the center of camp as a powerful reminder that God was with His people. God has always wanted to be with His people. Even when sin separated Adam and Eve from God in the garden, God had a plan to be with His people. God sent His Son, Jesus, to live on earth with people. Through Jesus, all who believe can be reunited with God, and one day they will dwell with Him for all eternity!
God told Moses and the people to build the tabernacle so that He could dwell among them. We no longer need a tabernacle, because those who trust in Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection have been given the Holy Spirit so that God lives in us, not merely near us.
Pray:
God, thank You for loving us with an everlasting love and always wanting to be with Your people. Even when sin separated us from You, You sent Jesus to dwell with people. Help us to believe in Jesus so we can have new life and dwell with You forever and ever. Amen. -
There isn’t anyone holy like the Lord. There isn’t anyone except him. There isn’t any Rock like our God.
1 Samuel 2:2 NIrV -
Mornings
Ask God to remind you of His presence throughout your day. How does God’s presence bring us peace? How can our love for others be a reminder of God’s desire to have a relationship with them?
Evenings
Thank God for your church. Church, like the tabernacle, is a place where we can worship God. Anyone who believes in Jesus has received the Holy Spirit, who dwells with them and in them. This means we can always experience His presence and worship Him!
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For Fun
Use blankets and furniture to make an indoor tent. Climb into the tent and read the Bible story together. Tell stories of times you felt God’s presence with you and celebrate the fact that God wants to dwell with His people!
To Serve
When you’re at church next Sunday. Walk around and find one thing to clean up with your kids - pick up trash, throw away a coffee cup, etc. As you walk, talk with kids about the specific instructions God gave for the tabernacle construction. Remind your kids that the Holy Spirit dwells with and in every believer.