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MEET MR KNOW-IT-ALL.

He is about to put together a special present for his daughter’s birthday...

(Ta Da! What did Mr Know-It-All try to make? Did it work? Why or why not? What is the unopened booklet for? Why would it have been a good idea to use the instructions sent from the designer?)

In this lesson we will watch as Moses and the people build a very important tent for worshipping God. Will they make it their own way or will they follow the instructions given by the designer?

START UP:

Instructions? Who Needs them?

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BIBLE FACTS:

Moses is about to tell the people about a very special tent for worship called the tabernacle that God wants them to build. (Some Bible versions call it a tent of meeting, others call it a tabernacle.) God said, (Ex 25:8) "Have them make a sanctuary for me and I will dwell with them."

(Tabernacle means "dwelling place.")

GOD PROVIDES A CENTRE OF WORSHIP

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WHERE ARE THE ISRAELITES?

Sinai Desert

WHERE IS MOSES?

Up on Mt Sinai

FOR HOW MANY BIBLE VERSES WILL THEY REMAIN HERE?

Rest of Exodus, All of Leviticus, Numbers 1-10

WHY IS HE UP THERE?

receiving laws and instructions from God

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how the tabernacle may have looked. It had:

A large tent at one end that was made of boards covered with...
Four layers of coverings, the last one waterproof
A large rectangle of curtains that made a courtyard around the tent.
Only one entrance—through a 9-meter-wide curtain beautifully embroidered in blue, purple, and scarlet.

WHAT DO YOU THINK THE TENT HAD INSIDE IT?

some gold furniture

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The Tabernacle and its courtyard were rich in symbolism. The Tabernacle ("dwelling place") was a structure with three rooms, protected by four layers of curtains, including hides, skins, and fine linen. It housed the Ark of the Covenant, symbolizing Jesus and containing God's commands and miracles. Only the High Priest could approach the Ark annually, but when Jesus died, the dividing veil was torn, symbolizing open access to God.

Key elements inside the Tabernacle included:

Lampstand: symbolizing God's word, always burning.
Basin: for priestly washing, symbolizing spiritual cleansing.
Bronze Altar: where sacrifices were offered, representing Jesus' ultimate sacrifice.
Altar of Incense: symbolizing prayers to God.
Table of Bread: with 12 loaves representing God’s provision.

The Courtyard was surrounded by high linen curtains, ensuring separation and sanctity. The entrance curtain, facing east, symbolized the only way to approach God, as Jesus described in John 10:9. The entire structure was designed to place God at the center of the Israelites' lives, while remaining set apart as holy.

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CHOOSE ONE OF THESE VERSES AND WRITE IT OUT:

BUILDING CHECKLIST & ARCHITECT PLAN

There are 50 chapters about the tabernacle, emphasizing how important it was to follow God's plan precisely.

Example verses:

Exodus 25:9
Exodus 25:40
Exodus 26:30
Exodus 27:8
Numbers 4:4
Hebrews 8:5

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THE KOHATHITES WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR CARRYING IT (NUMBERS 4:15).

WHO CARRIED THE TABERNACLE?

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EASY AS 1, 2, 3!

The Tabernacle consisted of the Holy Place and the Most Holy Place, each filled with specific items:

Most Holy Place:

Item: Ark of the Covenant

Courtyard:

Two items: Bronze Altar and Basin for Washing

Holy Place:

Three items: Altar of Incense, Table of Bread, Lampstand

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Write out the 13 types of materials needed:
Refer to Exodus 25:1-7 for a complete list of materials.
Who were the two named workers?
Bezalel (from the tribe of Judah)
Oholiab (from the tribe of Dan)
What were some skills they used?
Woodwork, Crafting, Design, Embroidery, and more.

MATERIALS AND WORKERS - THE WILL AND THE SKILL (EXODUS 35:4-36:7)

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Memory Verse: Acts 17:11b - "They received the message with great eagerness and examined the Scriptures every day to see if what Paul said was true."

FIND OUT WHAT GOD WANTS (ACTS 17:11B)

Bible Verse: "Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others." - 1 Peter 4:10a

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Big Idea: The tabernacle serves as a symbol of God's presence and our relationship with Him. It teaches us about worship, sacrifice, and obedience.

WHAT IS THE BIG IDEA OF THIS LESSON?

Making it happen: We can apply these principles in our own lives by worshiping God regularly, offering sacrifices of praise and obedience, and following His design for our lives.

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Tabernacle: A portable dwelling place for God.

(I) TABERNACLE (II) SANCTUARY (III) LAVER (IV) VEIL

Sanctuary: The holy place within the tabernacle where the presence of God was manifested.

Laver: A basin used for washing.

Veil: A curtain separating the holy of holies from the holy place.

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WHO DESIGNED THE TABERNACLE? DID IT MATTER IF THE ISRAELITES FOLLOWED THE DESIGN? HOW MANY BIBLE CHAPTERS TELL ABOUT THE TABERNACLE? WHAT DOES THIS TELL US ABOUT HOW WE WORSHIP GOD?

Designer: God designed the tabernacle.

Importance of following design: Yes, it was crucial for the Israelites to follow the design, as it represented God's specific instructions and symbolized His perfect plan.

Bible chapters: The exact number of Bible chapters dedicated solely to the tabernacle is not specified. However, the tabernacle is mentioned throughout the Old Testament, emphasizing its significance in God's plan.

Worship: The tabernacle teaches us that worship should be conducted according to God's specific instructions and with reverence and respect.

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SAY ACTS 17:11B OFF BY HEART. SHOW ME THIS VERSE IN YOUR BIBLE.

Acts 17:11b: "Searching the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so." (NIV)

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NAME THE SIX ITEMS OF FURNITURE FOUND IN

THE TABERNACLE AND COURTYARD USING 1,2,3 TO HELP YOU.

Altar of burnt offering: Located in the courtyard.
Brazen altar: Also located in the courtyard.
Table of showbread: Inside the holy place.
Menorah: Inside the holy place.
Golden altar of incense: Inside the holy of holies.
Ark of the Covenant: Inside the holy of holies.

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ENTRANCE TO THE COURTYARD:DESCRIPTION: THE ENTRANCE WAS LIKELY A GATEWAY OR OPENING, POSSIBLY WITH CURTAINS OR HANGINGS.
SYMBOLISM: THE ENTRANCE REPRESENTS THE PATHWAY TO GOD'S PRESENCE. IT SIGNIFIES THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE TO ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

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ENTRANCE TO THE COURTYARD:DESCRIPTION: THE ENTRANCE WAS LIKELY A GATEWAY OR OPENING, POSSIBLY WITH CURTAINS OR HANGINGS.
SYMBOLISM: THE ENTRANCE REPRESENTS THE PATHWAY TO GOD'S PRESENCE. IT SIGNIFIES THE NEED FOR REPENTANCE AND OBEDIENCE TO ENTER INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM.

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THE TWO WORK LEADERS:

Bezaleel: Tribe of Judah, skilled in working with gold, silver, bronze, stone, wood, and colored fabrics.

Aholiab: Tribe of Dan, skilled in working with embroidery, tapestry, and blue, purple, scarlet, and fine linen.

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IF JESUS SACRIFICED HIMSELF FOR THE SINS OF ALL OF US, DOES THAT MEAN WE DON'T MAKE ANY SACRIFICES ANYMORE? SAY WHAT YOU THINK, THEN LOOK UP HEBREWS 13:15-16.

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THE BAD (EXODUS 32)

"WE WILL DO EVERYTHING THE LORD HAS SAID," PROMISED THE ISRAELITES WHEN MOSES TOOK GOD'S MESSAGE TO THEM. BUT THEN, MOSES DISAPPEARED UP MT. SINAI FOR 40 DAYS, AND ISRAEL DECIDED HE'D GONE FOR GOOD. SO THEY DECIDED TO BUILD AN IDOL TO WORSHIP. WHAT ANIMAL WAS IT?

ANSWER: THE ANSWER CAN BE FOUND IN EXODUS 32:4, WHICH TELLS US THAT THE IDOL WAS A GOLDEN CA

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THE GOOD (EXODUS 35)

The Israelites were ashamed of their bad behavior, and when God asked for donations, they gave so generously that Moses had to ask them to stop bringing items! What a great example for us. In Proverbs 11:25, we are told that "a generous man will prosper."