Skip to main content

{SEVEN CHURCHES} #2

{SEVEN LETTERS} 

Lost Love_ 

Revelation 2:1-7 

 
As Jesus moves among his churches in Revelation 2-3, he looks carefully at each group of Christians and evaluates what they are doing in his name. In the church at Ephesus, Jesus finds a lot to praise, but his heart is broken by one glaring absence... 

 

[Read Revelation 2:1-7] 

 

If you had just relocated to Ephesus and visited the Ephesian church, what would impress you about this group of believers? 
 

 

How does it make you feel to hear Jesus say to you, “I know your deeds”? 

 

What do you think Jesus would commend about Oakham church? 

 

How would you or the leaders of your church test people who came into your church community claiming to have spiritual authority? 

 

What would you do if they were shown to be false teachers? 

 

The Ephesian church was full of hard-working, dedicated believers, but as Jesus looked deeper, what is one thing he found that bothered him (verse 4)? 
 

 

Why is this “first love” so crucial for effective ministry? 

As you look at and think about your own ministry to others and your activity in Jesus’ name, honestly evaluate why you do it... 
Is it because you ought to, because someone has to, because you were asked to – or is there another motive? 
Explain. 

 

In verse 5, Jesus tells the Ephesian church to take steps. 
What would each involve for a church? 

  • “Consider” - 

 

  • “Repent” -  

 

  • “Do” -  

 
What warning does Jesus give if they refuse to repent, and what might that judgement look like? 

 

In verse 7, what does Jesus promise to “the one who is victorious,” that is, the one who perseveres in faith? 

 

Each of these letters ends with a promise to “the one who is victorious” or “the one who overcomes”. 
Read 1 John 5:4-5. How does John describe the one who overcomes the world? 

 

 

When Jesus makes a promise to the person who overcomes, is he talking more about something we earn by our effort or something we receive by faith from God – or some combination of our perseverance and God’s grace? 

 

What can you do to stop the fire of devotion and love for Jesus from fading over time? 
Try writing down some very specific steps, to help you, taken from this letter. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Disciple: Judas

  {Disciples} JUDAS ISCARIOT_   Turning away     The most notorious of al the disciples – and the one universally scorned – is Judas Iscariot, the betrayer of Jesus. His name appears in every list of the disciples (except in Acts 1), and it always appears last.   The other eleven are an encouragement to us because they show how common people can be used by God, even with all their faults and failures, to do remarkable things.   Judas, on the other hand, stands as a warning about the power of spiritual carelessness and pride, which can drag us away from loyalty to Christ.   Judas lived in close proximity to Jesus for three years.   He heard every teaching; he saw every miracle.   But in all that time his heart only grew harder.   The other disciples were being transformed, by Jesus, into passionate followers; Judas was being changed too...     [Group discussion starter] Have you ever had a friend or colleague that appeared to b...
Post a Comment
Read more

Ephesians 5:21 - 6:9

  [Grace and Peace] EPHESIANS_   [Activity] Spend some time exploring the logical flow of Ephesians 5:21-6:9…   [Read Ephesians 5:21]   Paul addresses different relationship types (marriage, family, co-workers) when he writes to the Ephesians. Before he gets specific in his instructions, he gives a general one. What attitude are we supposed to have towards others?     What should submission look like in daily life?     [Read Ephesians 5:22-33]   In verses 22-24, why does Paul tell wives to submit to their husbands?     How does remembering that a wife is really submitting to the Lord affect submission to a husband?     In verses 25-33, how are husbands, in turn, to treat their wives?     How does comparing a husband’s love for his wife to how the Messiah loves the church remove any danger of the husband abusing the wife’s submission?       What ...
Post a Comment
Read more

PARABLE: the rich man and Lazarus

  {PARABLE} the rich man and Lazarus_   Luke 16:19-31   Have you ever heard someone say that religion is just  a ‘crutch’ or just a source of comfort for the weak?   Have you ever heard someone say that religious people pay no attention to those who are hungry or suffering?   Christianity doesn’t teach passive suffering in the face of injustice and oppression. Jesus calls us to serve those who are in need.     [Discussion starter] Have you ever been asked for money by someone homeless?   How did you react?     The final parable in this study reminds us that suffering in this life can be replaced by bliss in the next ...     [Read Luke 16:19-31]     In verses 19-21, how does the parable reveal the rich man’s lack of concern for Lazarus?       How would you account for the rich man’s indifference towards Lazarus?       What are some of the ways that you have heard people explain why ...
Post a Comment
Read more