September 20 – Revelation 2-3

THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS – Revelation 2:1-9

1. If Jesus were to write a letter to our church, what do you think He’d say?
2. If Jesus were to write you a personal letter, for what would He commend you, and in what ways would He correct you?
3. What do your actions say about who or what is most important in your life?
4. What do you think Christ meant when He said, “You have forsaken your first love”?
5. What does it mean to repent?
6. What about our faith are we prone to “outgrow”?
7. At what time in your life did you feel closest to God or the most dedicated to God?
8. How would you assess the health of your relationship with Christ right now?
9. What can cause us to lose our love for God?
10. How can we keep our commitment to Christ from waning over time?
11. Besides knowing all the right answers and doing all the right activities, what do we need for spiritual vitality?

THE CHURCH AT SMYRNA – Revelation 2:8-11

1. What is significant about the title Christ gave Himself (“the First and the Last, who died and came to life again”)?
2. How can a person in poverty be considered rich?
3. In your view, which is worse—physical or verbal persecution? Why?
4. If you had been in Smyrna about to suffer for your faith, how comforted would you feel with this revelation from Christ?
5. What kinds of persecution do Christians face today?
6. What kinds of persecution do you think would most tempt you to deny Christ?
7. What kinds of persecution have you faced for your faith?
8. How can the eternal promises of God give us courage and strength in the face of attacks on our stand for Christ?

THE CHURCH AT PERGAMUM – Revelation 2:12-17

1. What does it mean that Christ has a “sharp, double-edged sword”?
2. How does it make you feel to realize that Jesus wields a sword?
3. What should it mean to us that Jesus doesn’t overlook sin, even if we are doing lots of good deeds?
4. In what ways could it be said that Satan lives in your city?
5. How does sin in others affect us?
6. What “little” sins do we tend to allow into our life-style and habits?
7. What is the best way to deal with Christians (whether real or false) who circulate unbiblical ideas?
8. What are some potential problems for churches that discipline members publicly?
9. What does repentance have to do with following Christ?
10. How can we resist the influence of the world around us?
11. What do you think it means that we will get new names for persevering with Christ?

THE CHURCH AT THYATIRA – Revelation 2:18-29

1. What are some things people make idols (gods) of today?
2. What does it mean that Christ’s eyes were “like blazing fire”?
3. What sins do we tend to tolerate in our own lives or in the lives of our Christian friends when we should not?
4. What dangers do we face when we refuse to respond to God or repent of our sins?
5. What value is there in choosing to remain ignorant of certain evil ideas and practices?
6. When we are misled by others, what can we do to correct our mistakes? How?
7. When should we take responsibility for the errors of others in the church? How?
8. What have you been tolerating in your life that you need to reject and change?

THE CHURCH AT SARDIS – Revelation 3:1-6

1. How can a person know if his or her name is in the Book of Life?
2. What do you think is your reputation among your coworkers? Neighbors? People at church?
3. When in your life has your reputation been misleading? How?
4. How can a church appear to be alive and thriving and yet be dead?
5. In what way do we “soil our clothes”?
6. What does it mean to be “dressed in white”?
7. What advice would you give to a young Christian who asked, “How can I keep from sinning?”
8. Why isn’t it enough just to know what God wants from us?
9. What does it mean to “overcome” as a Christian?
10. In what specific areas of Christian devotion (Bible reading, evangelism, prayer, etc.) have you been lazy or sleepy over the last month?

THE CHURCH AT PHILADELPHIA – Revelation 3:7-13

1. What do you think about the idea that the world is getting better and better?
2. What difference does it make to you that Christ is “holy and true”?
3. How can we obey Christ and keep standing up for Him even when we are physically exhausted?
4. How might you persuade a friend that Christ is the ultimate power in the universe?
5. What can we do to prepare for Christ’s return?
6. Why can we rejoice even when we are persecuted by hostile anti-God forces?
7. Who are some of the “pillars” of your church (faithful, godly members who give their full support)?
8. Why are some Christians seemingly more able or better equipped to “endure patiently”?
9. What advice would you give to a Christian friend who expressed physical exhaustion and a lack of spiritual strength?

THE CHURCH AT LAODICEA – Revelation 3:14-22

1. What do we know about the Laodicean Christians from the fact that Jesus described Himself as being outside the door?
2. What are some ways people in our society are deceived?
3. What does it mean that Jesus “stands at the door and knocks”?
4. How can a person “invite Jesus in” and eat with Him?
5. What is a hot Christian, a cold Christian, or a lukewarm Christian?
6. What does a lukewarm Christian act like?
7. In what ways can a person be religious yet indifferent to what God wants?
8. What should we do to be hot in our devotion to God?
9. How much stock do we tend to put in our own resources (especially money and things)?
10. What is the significance of the phrase, “He who has an ear to hear, let him hear …” at the end of each of the letters to the churches?
11. What can we learn about the Lord’s character based on His strong words to the Laodicean church?
12. Which of the seven churches described in Revelation 2:1–3:22 are you most like? Why?
13. What can we do to listen more closely to Christ?
14. How can we pray to invite Christ into all areas of our lives?