In his Bible class lesson "Doing God's Work," Michael Meade draws parallels between Solomon's construction of the temple in 1 Kings 5-7 and the modern church's calling to build a spiritual house through the gospel, emphasizing that God's promises motivate faithful action. He highlights how God provided Solomon with wisdom, resources, alliances, and peace to complete the massive project, assuring believers today that God equips them for kingdom work without fail. The lesson challenges the congregation to step out in faith, obey God's word, reflect His glory, and give their best in time, treasure, and talent, trusting in His timetable and comprehensive provision.

Michael Meade's Bible class lesson, delivered on March 8, 2026, at Oak Hollow church of Christ, explores the theme of "Doing the Work​ of the Lord" by examining Solomon's building of the temple in 1 Kings 5-7 as a model for contemporary Christian service. Inspired by a late-night sermon and personal reflections, Meade begins with anecdotes about his family's routines and church history to illustrate how God's promises, such as the one made to David in 2 Samuel 7, fuel purposeful action, as seen in Solomon's faith-driven initiative. He stresses that while the physical temple required immense resources and seven years to complete, God miraculously provided everything—wisdom, alliances with figures like Hiram of Tyre, skilled artisans, and peace—without exclusions, mirroring how He supplies believers today for building the spiritual church as "living stones" (1 Peter 2:4-5). Meade ties this to Oak Hollow's values of loving God and neighbors, fostering belonging, and pursuing discipleship, urging the audience to prioritize obedience, reflect God's glory in their efforts, and remain steadfast in labor that lasts, knowing it is not in vain (1 Corinthians 15:58). Through personal stories, scriptural references, and applications like golfer Scottie Scheffler's reliance on Jesus already winning the eternal victory for us. The lesson encourages patience with God's timing and wholehearted devotion in ministry.

Outline
I. Introduction: Setting the Context for the Lesson
- Personal inspiration: Late-night sermon on Moody Radio by Jonathan Griffiths, routines with Alexa, and church revitalization class.
- Tools and preparation: Use of Gamma.app for slides; tying into Oak Hollow's core values (loving God/neighbor, sense of belonging and purpose).
- Main theme: Building God's house—not a physical temple, but a spiritual one through the gospel (1 Kings 5-7).

II. Our Calling Today: A Spiritual House
- The church as God's dwelling place by the Spirit (1 Peter 2:4-5).
- Distinction between physical buildings and the true church (people as living stones).
- Personal anecdotes: Memories of childhood churches in West Virginia, meeting his wife Laura, and family photos to emphasize people over structures.

III. Doing the Work of the Lord: His Promises
- Point 1: Work flows from God's promises, which motivate and direct servants.
- Promise to David (2 Samuel 7:11-16): Offspring to build a house for God's name.
- Solomon's response: Believes, receives as his calling, and acts in faith (1 Kings 5:5).
- Application for today: Jesus' promises fuel our work.
- Building the church (Matthew 16:18).
- Great Commission (Matthew 28:19).
- Labor that lasts (1 Corinthians 15:58).
- Anecdote: Scottie Scheffler's Masters win inspired by a friend reminding before him teeing off on Sunday that eternal victory is already won.

IV. Doing the Work of the Lord: His Provision
- Point 2: Work rests on God's comprehensive provision; He equips for what He commands.
- The temple as a superhuman project: Massive scale with ancient tools, yet fully resourced.
- Key provisions: Wisdom (1 Kings 4:34), alliance with Hiram (cedars and labor, 1 Kings 5:1-12), peace (1 Kings 5:3-4), skilled artisans like Hiram of Tyre (1 Kings 7:13-14, bronze works including pillars, sea, basins).
- Supporting scriptures: Philippians 4:19, 2 Peter 1:3-5, Matthew 6:31-33, Ephesians 3:20.
- Analogy: God's provision as a comprehensive policy without exclusions (unlike insurance).

V. Key Requirements and Reflections
- Obedience to God's word: Mid-construction reminder to Solomon (1 Kings 6:11-13); activity is no substitute for godliness.
- Reflecting God's glory: Temple details (cedar walls, gold overlay, vessels) show surpassing worth; give God our best.
- God's timetable: 480 years from Exodus, 7 years to build (1 Kings 6:1, 37-38); learn patience and trust.

VI. Conclusion: Abound in the Work
- Challenge: Be steadfast and immovable; labor is not in vain.
- Closing thought: Give God our very best in time, treasure, and talent.
- Prayer: Thanks for promises, provisions, and the Spirit; call to show Christ's love.