Before there was a church, before there was a temple, there was a tent, a tabernacle in the wilderness. And in that tent, God was teaching His people how to worship – not just what to build, but who to become. Moses’s tabernacle is the heavenly pattern for worship, not just a physical structure, but a spiritual rhythm that still forms God’s people today. The tabernacle is not ultimately about construction; it’s about connection. It’s about God coming near. 

 

Put It into Practice: Choose the same time each day to stop for 3 minutes and sit quietly with God. No agenda. Just awareness that He is near. Then, name three things you’re grateful for, aligning your heart with God’s heavenly pattern for worship. 

 

Day 1 Exodus 25:1–9 

Reflect: Why do you think God begins the building of the tabernacle with an invitation to give? In what manner were the Israelites to bring the materials, and why was that God’s condition?  

Apply: How does this text challenge the idea that worship is something we design for ourselves? What offering – time, attention, service, generosity – is God prompting your heart to bring?

Pray: Lord, give me a heart for Your glory and use my offerings for a holy purpose. I pray that my life would be a sanctuary where Your presence can dwell.

 

Day 2 Exodus 29:44–46

Reflect: What does God’s act of consecrating the priests tell you about His character? How do consecration and relationship with God go together? What do you think our role is in this process? 

Apply: What strikes you about God’s desire to “dwell among” His people? What area of your life needs consecration – set apart again for God’s purposes? 

Pray: Father God, I pray that You would consecrate my life, my thoughts, and my actions to serve You, just as You consecrated the tent, the altar, and the priests in this passage. Set me apart for holy purposes and make me holy as You are holy.

 

Day 3 Exodus 36:1-7 

Reflect: What do you learn about the heart of the Israelites in their response to God? What does this text reveal about God forming a people, not just a place?

Apply: What would “willing worship” look like in your week—not out of pressure, but love? Worship shapes generous people. What does your generosity reveal about your relationship with the Lord?    

Pray: God, may my heart be overflowing with generosity, just as Your people were. I pray that my giving would be a willing and joyful offering of my time, treasures, and talents.

 

Day 4 Exodus 40:34-38 

Reflect: What does God’s visible glory communicate about His nearness and holiness? How would you describe God’s glory? Why do you think Moses could not enter when the glory filled the tent?  

Apply: What distractions or habits crowd out awareness of His glory? What rhythms in your life make room for God’s presence? How can your worship invite God to fill the “space” again?

Pray: Heavenly Father, I pray that today Your glory will fill my heart and life, and I will be unable to go about my day without acknowledging Your presence, just as Moses was when the cloud filled the tabernacle.

 

Day 5 Hebrews 8:1-5 

Reflect: Why is it important that the tabernacle was modeled after a heavenly pattern? How does knowing Jesus as the true High Priest expand your understanding of worship? 

Apply: What would it look like to align your life to God’s “heavenly blueprint”? Where is your worship more focused on earthly habits than heavenly realities? Center your worship on Jesus this week!

Pray:  Thank You, Jesus, for the true tent set up by You, not by man, which You serve in. I give You praise and thanks that You, our High Priest, offered Yourself as the perfect, glorified sacrifice on the heavenly altar.