Ephesians 2.19-22: A new place of worship
This chapter culminates in a vision of a new temple, or place of worship, which is Christ’s body. The temple represents the place where divine and human meet for forgiveness, healing, judgment and justice.
Getting to Know you: If you were a building, what kind of building would you be? Why? Consider sketching a picture.
Day 1:
Getting to know the Bible: Read Ephesians 2:19-22
What are your initial impressions?
Based on verse 22, what is the significance/purpose of the temple?
How do I apply myself to this message?
Attempt a sketch/diagram of the household/building/temple described in vs. 19-22. Consider locating some of the principle characters, including yourself.
Day 2:
Getting to know the Bible: Read John 2.13-25
How does Jesus feel about the purity of the temple?
If Jesus stepped into His Temple right now, what would His emotional/physical reaction be?
How do I apply myself to this message?
Based on Ephesians, if you have allowed Jesus to bring you near, you are being built into the temple. What are the implications from these two passages [Ephesians and John] about your significance to Christ? What are the implications for the significance of your purity? What is one way you could honor how significant you are better this week?
Day 3:
Getting to know the Bible: Read 1 Peter 2.4-12
Make two columns for notes side by side. In one column, bullet point out how “those who believe” react to and experience Christ. In the other column, bullet point out how “those who do not believe” react to and experience Christ. Indicate which column you identify with. Does this passage do anything to help you to understand people who fall into the other column?
How do I apply myself to this message?
Read 1 Peter 2:1-3. Have you tasted that the Lord is good? How so?
What are the implications from these three passages [Ephesians, John, AND 1 Peter] about your significance to Christ? What are the implications for the significance of your purity? What is one way you could honor how significant you are better this week [same or new answer from the previous day when this same question was asked]?
Day 4:
Getting to know the Bible: Read Psalm 149
Based on these verses, what does it mean to be God’s people?
Where do you learn things about being God’s people in the previous passages?
How do I apply myself to this message?
How much of this psalm describes how you regularly live your life? How does it describe how you might live your life?