How can we apply the message of Ezekiel 37:11 in our church community? Setting of the Vision • Ezekiel stands in a valley littered with “very dry” bones—lifeless remnants of Israel’s exile and despair (Ezekiel 37:1–2). • God identifies the bones plainly: “these bones are the whole house of Israel” (Ezekiel 37:11). • The people’s confession is heartbreaking: “Our bones are dried up, and our hope has perished; we are cut off” (Ezekiel 37:11). Core Truths in Ezekiel 37:11 • Spiritual dryness is real and recognizable. • Hopelessness often follows prolonged hardship. • God acknowledges the honest lament of His people before He sends renewal. Timeless Principles for Today • God sees the true condition of His people more clearly than we do (1 Samuel 16:7). • No situation is beyond His power to revive (Ephesians 2:4–5). • Hope is restored when God speaks and breathes life (John 6:63). How Our Church Community Can Apply This Message 1. Recognize Dryness • Schedule intentional times to examine where ministry, worship, or fellowship feels “dry.” • Encourage testimonies that honestly admit current struggles (Psalm 42:5). 2. Speak Life-Filled Words • Read passages of promise aloud in services and small groups (Romans 15:4). • Train members to encourage each other with Scripture (Hebrews 3:13). 3. Invite the Breath of the Spirit • Set aside moments for silent waiting on the Lord during gatherings (Acts 4:31). • Integrate songs that exalt Christ’s resurrection power (John 11:25–26). 4. Restore Hope Through Community Care • Pair newer believers with seasoned saints for discipleship, reviving mutual confidence in God (Titus 2:3–5). • Launch practical help teams for the grieving, unemployed, or isolated, showing that no one is “cut off” (James 2:15–16). 5. Reclaim a Shared Identity • Emphasize that we are “one body in Christ, and individually members of one another” (Romans 12:5). • Celebrate multi-generational and multi-ethnic expressions of unity, affirming that God’s family is whole, not scattered (Ephesians 2:14–19). Action Steps for the Coming Month • Week 1: Congregational Scripture-reading marathon of Ezekiel 37 and related resurrection passages. • Week 2: Church-wide fast one day, focusing on repentance for spiritual lethargy. • Week 3: Home-group outreach—each group serves a local need, bringing hope outside the walls. • Week 4: Testimony service highlighting how God has “brought life to dry bones” this month. Cautions to Avoid • Replacing dependence on the Spirit with clever programming (Zechariah 4:6). • Ignoring early signs of discouragement among leaders or volunteers. • Limiting God’s reviving power to past eras instead of present expectation. Promises to Embrace • “I will put My Spirit in you and you will live, and I will settle you in your own land” (Ezekiel 37:14). • “Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13). |
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