40 Days of Prayer – Youth Devotional Day DAY 25

THE CHURCH AS THE DWELLING OF GOD’S SPIRIT EPHESIANS 2:21–22  

What do you think of when you think of “the Church?” Do you think of a building? A group  of people? An institution or an organization? I think in order to grasp the meaning of these  verses, we need to look at the historical context of God’s presence dwelling on earth. In the  Old Testament, we see that God’s presence once dwelt in the tabernacle and then in the tem 

ple—actual buildings. You may be thinking, “Isn’t God’s home in heaven?” Well, the earthly  temple was the place that overlapped with God’s heavenly home. However, in 586 BC, the  temple was destroyed, and God’s presence no longer resided in a building on earth.  

Fast forward to Jesus’ life here on earth. God’s presence then dwelt in our world in a new way.  Jesus made many bold claims; one in which He said: “Destroy this temple, and in three days,  I will raise it up” (John 2:19). The Jews were shocked to hear this, but Jesus was referring to  the temple as His body. 

After His Resurrection, Jesus promised God’s presence would come and dwell among His  followers. Sure enough, communities throughout the ancient world sprung up and became a  place where God ruled. Jesus’ death and Resurrection made a way for the Holy Spirit to dwell  within God’s people. That’s us—the Church. By following Jesus, you become a dwelling in  which God lives by His Spirit. 

PRAYER POINTS: 

1. Ask God to refresh you with His Spirit. Take a couple minutes to sit  quietly and rest in His presence. 

2. Praise God for sending the Holy Spirit to dwell in you and for being  your Helper and Advocate. 

3. Ask God to give you bold faith so that more people will come to  know Him and join in the “building” of His followers. 

»by Jonas Wharton