LifeGroup Discussion Guide
VISION SERIES
Session 3: A Resting Place for the Presence
“Where God is wanted”
Start the discussion.
This third session challenges us to be a people who not only desire God’s presence but seek to grow in holiness and obedient sacrifice.
Scripture text(s):
“When they came to the threshing floor of Kidon, Uzzah reached out his hand to steady the ark, because the oxen stumbled. The Lord’s anger burned against Uzzah, and he struck him down because he had put his hand on the ark. So he died there before God. Then David was angry because the Lord’s wrath had broken out against Uzzah, and to this day that place is called Perez Uzzah. David was afraid of God that day and asked, “How can I ever bring the ark of God to me?”He did not take the ark to be with him in the City of David. Instead, he took it to the house of Obed-Edom the Gittite. The ark of God remained with the family of Obed-Edom in his house for three months, and the Lord blessed his household and everything he had.” – 1 Chronicles 13:9-14
“This is what the Lord says: “Heaven is my throne, and the earth is my footstool. Where is the house you will build for me? Where will my resting place be?” – Isaiah 66:1
Have one of you open this time in prayer.
Share key points from the Session.
Other passages:
Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 55:2-3; Psalm 24:3-6; 1 Samuel 6:19b; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:7; 1 Chronicles 15; Genesis 3:8; Revelation 21:22-23.
Main idea:
God comes and rests where His people truly honour Him and orient their lives toward Him and all that matters to Him.
Some key points:
Many are experiencing disruption fatigue. But in revival, God disrupts our lives and schedules such that He revives us and reorients our misdirected lives. Revival is an acceleration of the work of the Spirit in our lives (Jonathan Edwards). Revival is an infusion of new spiritual life imparted by the Holy Spirit to existing parts of Christ’s body…to reconnect Christian communities with the power of the gospel (Richard Lovelace).
Spiritual hunger is a fundamental principle of the Kingdom of God (Matthew 5:6; Isaiah 55:2-3). God calls us to hunger for righteousness - both personal holiness and world transformation. But hunger and passion in itself is not enough. God seeks those who would set themselves apart in reverence and obedience (Psalm 24:3-6).
In the Old Testament, we learn of the Ark of the Covenant – considered the most holy of objects used in Tabernacle worship, and later the Temple. It housed God’s Presence among His people. After the Philistines captured the Ark but faced afflictions because of it, it stayed with Abinadab for 20 years before David retrieved it (1 Samuel 6:19b; 1 Chronicles 13:1-14; 2 Samuel 6:7). God’s people treated the Ark carelessly. There was much celebration, but no sacrifice was made. Hunger and desire was present, but obedience and reverence was not.
Then there was Obed-Edom. Instead of afflictions, his household was abundantly blessed from housing the Ark for three months. He was a gentile. Later we see 62 of his descendants included in service of the Temple (1 Chronicles 16). His honouring God blessed his home, then led to generational blessing and national revival.
God’s presence among his people has always been his heart’s desire, not a building to belong in but a people to walk among (Genesis 3:8; Revelation 21:22-23).
Lessons from Obed-Edom’s life: (1) Hunger for God’s presence; (2) Reverence for the holiness of God; and (3) Sacrifice that fuels worship.
Will God find a resting place where He is desired, honoured and welcomed?
Discuss Questions
What was the main thing from this message that impacted you?
From the passages about the Ark, we draw these lessons from Obed-Edom’s life: (1) Hunger for God’s presence; (2) Reverence for the holiness of God; and (3) Sacrifice that fuels worship.
Discuss what this means for us as a church.“Where God is wanted” and “building Him a resting place” — how is this your desire or difficulty, in your life right now? What is your response?
Do It
Action steps:
Praying with others
Fasting
LifeGroup worship
Consider which one God is inviting you to say yes to, then share for prayer and accountability.
Get with two others and spend time honouring and responding to God’s presence.
Resources:
Prayer: Join The City prayers; also this ministry — Burning Hearts .
Fasting: Commit to a rhythm you can practise weekly or monthly, whether yourself or with your CORD group. More on Fasting here
With your LifeGroup, review worship as a shared priority. Explore ways you can engage in creative or contemplative worship to enrich your group’s expression of the worship.
Lent is a time of self-examination, humility, change of heart and spiritual renewal. Find out more about Lent and how you can engage in it here
Some recommended reads on Prayer, Intercession and/or Church: Why Revival Tarries by Leonard Ravenhill; Experiencing the Depths of Jesus Christ by Jeanne Guyon; Intercessory Worship by Dick Eastman; Mercy Before Judgment: The Invitation to Intercession by Samuel Whitefield (comes with online sessions here); How to Pray by Pete Greig; A Praying Church: Becoming a People of Hope in a Discouraging World by Paul Miller; Prayer in the Night by Tish Harrison Warren;
For more info, email us at hello@thecity.sg or reach out to our leaders.