The Glory Returns

Unit 8, Lesson 4

I. The Significance of the Temple

– How and where did the story of God and his people begin?

– Why was the temple needed and what did it represent?

– Why did God leave the temple, and what was the effect of God’s departure?

– Was the exile the end of the story? What came next?

– What day did all the prophets look forward to?

II. Ezekiel’s Vision of restoration

a. In his vision, Ezekiel saw God’s glory had returned to the temple and brought with it a healing river that gushed out of it.

b. For God’s presence to return, the temple needed to be cleansed and the people needed to turn their hearts to

God.

III. The Glory Returns

A. In your groups, answer the questions. Please be able to share them with the class.

Group 1

– Ezekiel 11:17-23• Which temple did God’s glory leave? Why?• What must happen to the hearts of the people?• How does this passage relate to our lives today?

Group 2

– Ezekiel 43:1-11• Why did god have Ezekiel tell his vision to the

people? • What do verses 10-11 suggest about what God

wanted for the hearts of the people? • How does this passage relate to our lives today?

Group 3

– Ezekiel 47:1-12• What new feature did the restored temple have?• What was the effect of this new feature on the

surrounding land?• What function did the leaves serve?• How does this passage relate to our lives today?

Group 4

– Acts 7:48-49; 1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19; 1 Peter 2:5; Ephesians 2:19-22

• How is the New Testament temple different from the Old Testament version?

• What materials are used in the construction of the new temple?

• What might Paul or Peter call the new temple? • How do these passages relate to our lives

today?

Group 5

– John 4:10; 7:37-38; Romans 5:5• Who changes the heart of the people? How?• What is the result of receiving new life in the

hearts and lives of believers?• How do these passages relate to our lives

today?

Group 6

– Revelation 21:22-22:5• Why won’t we need a temple building in the New

Jerusalem? • How many trees grow by the river? What does

the tree suggest?• What are the leaves on the tree of life sued for?

• How does this passage relate to our lives today?