Sanctuary

When you think about various dwellings in your story, what comes to mind? What makes certain places especially significant in your story?

Have you ever found yourself intrigued by a celebrities’ home? What is the draw?

Read 1 Corinthians 3:16-17. What do these verses tell us about God’s dwelling?

What encourages you about the connection between the Garden, Tabernacle, Temple, and Sanctuary?

How have you seen the words of Matthew 18:20 be true in your experience with the local church?

1 Corinthians 3:17 contains some harsh language for those who destroy God’s temple. Have you seen destruction come mostly from outside the church or inside the church?

How does the reminder that the local church is the dwelling place of God challenge you today? How is God inviting you to respond to this truth about his church?

How does Revelation 21:1-5 speak to you today regarding our eternal dwelling?

Spend some time praying that God would allow Sanctuary to continue to be a place powerfully indwelt by the Holy Spirit.

Read 1 Corinthians 3.10-15 incarnationally. How is this text speaking to you?

What similarities do you notice between Corinth and Cobb County? 

Where are you experiencing awakening? Where do you long to experience awakening? Who is travailing in prayer with you to experience awakening? 

Why does Paul want the Corinthians to have a physical place for them all to gather? 

What’s the primary reason for you participating in the Sanctuary Faith Family? 

How has this Family helped grow you toward maturity in Christ? 

Read Ephesians 2.19-22. How do you sense Christ as the Chief cornerstone of your life?

Read Exodus 25.1-8. Why does God want the Israelites to build a physical church? Who was asked to give? How were they asked to give? How are you growing in your desire to invest financially in the work of the church? 

John Ortberg says, “The only worship that really matters is costly worship.” How do you resonate or push back from that statement? How is your worship “costly”?

Read Matthew 6.19-21. How are you living out these words of Jesus? Where’s your greatest struggle in fully storing up “treasures in heaven?” 

The people of Israel had to be told to “stop” bringing their gifts to the Temple. How does their response inspire you? 

How might God be leading you to respond to what God is doing in our church? What tension do you sense within your spirit? How might God use this as a dynamic of spiritual transformation in your life? 

What is an area of your life where you work to see growth? A hobby, skill, gardening, working out, etc.? Why do you work to see growth in this area?

In 1 Corinthians 3:9, Paul refers to the Corinthian believers as infants in Christ. Why do you think there has been a lack of growth in these believers?

How would you describe the difference between “spiritual people” and “people of the flesh” that Paul speaks of?

We have been given a powerful force as we seek to grow in spiritual maturity (see 2 Corinthians chapter 2). How does Galatians 5:16 encourage you?

What is the sign of immaturity that Paul points to in 1 Corinthians 3:2-3? How do you see jealousy and strife surface in your life? What is God trying to do in you regarding these spaces?

Respond to this quote from John Piper: “So what is it about a person that makes them unable to digest solid food? It’s pride. Or to put it positively, the organ that properly digests solid food is humility. As long as a person is still largely influenced by a spirit of self-exaltation, he is not able to digest solid food. The throat of pride is too narrow and non-pliable to handle the solid food.”

1 Corinthians 3:4 sounds so petty when we read it today, but are there areas of your life where God would say that you are “being merely human?”

How is God inviting you to respond to him so that you can continue to grow in maturity?

Take some time to reflect on the power of the Spirit in you and thank God for what he has done, and continues to do in your life.

Listen to the song, Worlds Apart – Jars of Clay.

“What comes into our minds when we think about God is the most important thing about us.” – A.W. Tozer, The Pursuit of God. What comes to your mind when you think about God?

What is the Holy Spirit’s role in changing our thinking, reshaping our thinking and deepening our thinking?

Read 1 Corinthians 2.6-16.

What’s the difference in being a “spiritual” person and being a “Spirit” person? How would these differences express themselves in your daily life? How would these differences express themselves eternally?

Read 1 Corinthians 2.16 and Isaiah 40.13. What is Paul’s purpose in quoting the Old Testament when writing this portion of the letter to the Corinthians? What’s the overarching message Paul is conveying in this specific text?

In your own words, define the “mind of Christ.” Do you have the mind of Christ? If so, how does His mind permeate every area of your life?

How do you resolve the tension of your mind being the “mind of Christ” and your mind being sinful at times?

Do a quick search of Scripture to further understand the truths of the “mind of Christ.” What’s one area you desire to grow in your thinking and being? How is the “mind of Christ” growing you in this way?

Where did you first encounter the relevancy of the Spirit of God?

How are you sensing the Spirit as the author and perfecter of your faith?

Read the following phrases and the corresponding verses. Note how you see the Spirit at work in each dynamic. Be specific in what He is doing in you and through you.

The Spirit sanctifies us.

• 1 Corinthians 6.11

The Spirit transforms us.

• 2 Corinthians 3.18

The Spirit leads us to an ever-increasing love for God.

• Romans 5.3-5

The Spirit gives us the ability to discern God’s will.

• Romans 12.1-2

The Spirit helps us overcome temptation and sin.

• 1 John 4.4 (NLT)

The Spirit gives us life and abundant life.

• Romans 8.9-11

The Spirit leads us to eternal life.

• Revelation 7.9-12

Spend time meditating on Psalm 1.