Apr 20-26
Build Me a Sanctuary
๐ Exodus 25-27; 30-31
God Wanted to Live Next Door
Last week, we learned about God's rules for being kind. This week, God asks the Israelites to build Him a very special tent โ so He can live right in the middle of their camp!
A Tent for Heavenly Father
The Israelites didn't have houses. They lived in tents and traveled through the desert. So when God said, "Build me a place to live so I can be close to you" (see Exodus 25:8), He asked for a tent too. A really beautiful one.
This special tent was called the tabernacle. It was made of:
- Gold, silver, and bronze โ shiny and precious
- Blue, purple, and red fabric โ the most beautiful colors they had
- Soft animal skins โ to keep everything protected
God told Moses exactly how to build it. Every measurement. Every color. Every piece. He cared about every single detail because this was going to be His home among His people.
And guess where it went? Right in the very center of the camp. Not far away on a mountain. Right in the middle of everybody. Like the best neighbor ever moving in next door.
The Coolest Things Inside
Inside the tabernacle were some amazing things:
๐ The Ark of the Covenant โ A gold box with two golden angels on top. God said, "I will talk to you from above this box" (see Exodus 25:22). His rules (the stone tablets) were kept safe inside it.
๐ A Golden Lampstand โ Shaped like a tree with seven branches and little flowers. It was the only light inside. Imagine a golden tree glowing in a dark room!
๐ A Bread Table โ Twelve loaves of bread, one for each tribe, sitting in front of God all the time. Like always having a place set at the table for your whole family.
Everyone Helped
Here's the best part: God asked the people to bring what they had โ gold, fabric, jewels, wood, oil. But only if they wanted to. Nobody was forced.
And the people brought SO MUCH that Moses had to say, "Stop! We have more than enough!" (see Exodus 36:6-7)
Can you imagine your teacher saying, "Stop bringing supplies! We have too many!"? That's how excited the Israelites were to help build God's home.
A Builder Filled with the Spirit
God picked a man named Bezaleel to be the main builder. And God gave him a special gift โ the ability to carve, build, and make beautiful things. Bezaleel was filled with God's Spirit so he could do his best work.
That means being good at making things โ art, building, crafts โ can be a gift from God!
๐ฎ What was the tabernacle? - A castle [correct: false] - A special tent where God could live among His people [correct: true] - A boat [correct: false] - A mountain [correct: false]
๐ฎ Where was the tabernacle placed in the Israelite camp? - On a faraway hill [correct: false] - Right in the very center [correct: true] - Next to the river [correct: false] - Outside the camp walls [correct: false]
๐ฎ What was inside the Ark of the Covenant? - Food [correct: false] - Gold coins [correct: false] - The stone tablets with God's commandments [correct: true] - Water [correct: false]
๐ฎ What did the golden lampstand look like? - A star [correct: false] - A tree with seven branches [correct: true] - A big candle [correct: false] - A sun [correct: false]
๐ฎ How did the people get the materials to build the tabernacle? - God made the materials appear [correct: false] - Moses bought them from Egypt [correct: false] - The people donated willingly โ and brought so much Moses said to stop [correct: true] - They found everything in the desert [correct: false]
๐ฎ What special gift did God give Bezaleel? - The gift of singing [correct: false] - The gift of craftsmanship โ building and making beautiful things [correct: true] - The gift of cooking [correct: false] - The gift of running fast [correct: false]
Your Mission This Week: You have gifts and talents too โ just like Bezaleel! This week, use one of your skills to do something kind for someone. Draw a picture for a friend. Help fix something at home. Build something. Make something. When you use your talents to help others, you're doing exactly what Bezaleel did โ using your gifts for God.
Family Activity: Build a mini tabernacle! Use a shoebox, blankets and pillows, or building blocks to make a small tent or house. Talk about what you'd put inside if you were making a special place for God. Decorate it with your best art supplies. While you build, read Exodus 25:8 together: "Let them make me a sanctuary; that I may dwell among them." Talk about how our homes can feel like a place where God's Spirit lives too.