Introduction and Prayer

Exodus 31 addresses the two primary contractors who will be building the tabernacle as well as the corresponding accessories. God designed us to fulfill His mission and purpose in community with others. God also understands the importance of rest. When we live and operate according to His design then we will experience the joy and peace of the Spirit-led life.

Read Exodus 31:1-5

Exodus 31:11Then the Lord said to Moses, 2“Look, I have specifically chosen Bezalel son of Uri, grandson of Hur, of the tribe of Judah. 3I have filled him with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, ability, and expertise in all kinds of crafts. 4He is a master craftsman, expert in working with gold, silver, and bronze. 5He is skilled in engraving and mounting gemstones and in carving wood. He is a master at every craft!

• What does it mean to be chosen by God?

• How does God equip us?

• What does it mean to be filled with the Spirit of God? [While there are many outward signs, at its core, it means that we are living in submission to the Spirit of God.]

• Based on this verse, what are the gifts of the Spirit of God? [giving wisdom, ability and expertise]

• If these are gifts of the Spirit, then what role do we play in regard to our skills and abilities?

So God fills Bezalel with His Spirit so that He can accomplish the holy task of building this sacred tent for God. God had equipped Bezalel with what was necessary for the job—it was a work of God’s Spirit.

Read Hebrews 13:20–21

20Now may the God of peace— who brought up from the dead our Lord Jesus, the great Shepherd of the sheep, and ratified an eternal covenant with his blood— 21may he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him…

• Give an example of when you felt ill-equipped for a job or task.

• Have you ever had a moment when you didn’t feel equipped to accomplish what God called you to do?

• Are there any characters from Exodus that had similar feelings? Did God agree with their assessments?

Read Exodus 31:6

6“And I have personally appointed Oholiab son of Ahisamach, of the tribe of Dan, to be his assistant. Moreover, I have given special skill to all the gifted craftsmen so they can make all the things I have commanded you to make:

• God sent an assistant for the leader. Does God intend for us to be lone rangers?

• Have you ever felt alone, like it was just you and God versus the world/work/situation? How did that feel?

• What creates the team or friendship community that God describes?

John records a prayer of Jesus in John 17. He is praying for certain of His followers. Read the prayer and consider the content of Jesus’ prayer.

Read John 17:20–24

20“I am praying not only for these disciples but also for all who will ever believe in me through their message. 21I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. 22“I have given them the glory you gave me, so they may be one as we are one. 23I am in them and you are in me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me. 24Father, I want these whom you have given me to be with me where I am. Then they can see all the glory you gave me because you loved me even before the world began!

• Who is Jesus praying for?

• According to the second part of verse 21, Jesus is praying that we would have a unity like what?

• Is the Jesus’ primary prayer for you and me to be one or is it that we should be one with God which will cause us to be one with each other?

• What should create unity in the church?

• What is causing division in the church today? Why?

• What are valid reasons that should cause a division?

Read Exodus 31:12-13

12The Lord then gave these instructions to Moses: 13“Tell the people of Israel: ‘Be careful to keep my Sabbath day, for the Sabbath is a sign of the covenant between me and you from generation to generation. It is given so you may know that I am the Lord, who makes you holy.

• What is a Sabbath?

• Who first modeled this behavior?

• In Exodus 31:17, God says that the Sabbath is a sign of His covenant with the people of Israel. Why would this be considered a sign?

• Does God require we practice a Sabbath today?

• Regardless of whether it is required, is the practice of a Sabbath beneficial?

• What might a Sabbath look like in your life?

Read Galatians 5:16–18

16 So I say, let the Holy Spirit guide your lives. Then you won’t be doing what your sinful nature craves. 17 The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions. 18 But when you are directed by the Spirit, you are not under obligation to the law of Moses.

• What does life look like when we are led by the Holy Spirit? [HINT: Galatians 5:22-23]

• What does Paul mean when he says that we are not under obligation to the law if we are directed by the Spirit?

Read Galatians 5:24-25

24 Those who belong to Christ Jesus have nailed the passions and desires of their sinful nature to his cross and crucified them there. 25 Since we are living by the Spirit, let us follow the Spirit’s leading in every part of our lives.

• We understand that following the Spirit means we don’t live in sin, but what did following the Spirit look like in the lives of Bezalel and Oho?

• How can following the Spirit of God impact everyday living?

Pray

Pray for one another that God helps us to live by the Spirit and to follow His leading at work, school, home and play.

Think On This

Reflecting back to Exodus 31:3-4, what does being led by the Holy Spirit look like, this week in your life specifically?