Leaders Guide Revelation Lesson 3

Leader's Guide for Revelation -- Lesson 3

Open with prayer (And, as always, YOU do the praying.)

The Suggested Visual Aid for this lesson is a Chart similar to what the students made while they did the Overview of all 7 Churches. However, in this lesson, we / they only looked in detail at the first 4 churches. So, we will only fill in the information concerning the first 4 churches on the chart during this time of discussion. Next week, we will do the other 3 churches. Both weeks we will put the names of the 7 churches in the heading of the 7 columns, but the columns with NO information to be recorded will be very small and narrow (thin) since we will need the space for the columns which will be used.

Therefore, your suggested visual aid for this lesson will look something like this as you begin your discussion time:

THE MESSAGES OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.............................. 1............................. 2............................... 3.............................. 4........................5............ 6........... 7

Begin your discussion with a review. This is always a good way to begin ANY class, because you will usually have visitors or people who have missed a lesson or who (gasp) did not pay attention or who may have forgotten or who may not have done all of their homework... or etc.) And, even for those who have been there and have been paying attention, it is still always best to begin with a review so you can set the stage and lay the foundation for your discussion.

So.....begin with a review. For this lesson, you could begin by saying something like:

"Well, here we are at week 3 in our Study of the Book of Revelation. In the first week of our study, we learned about events that led up to the giving of the prophecy as recorded in Revelation including the fact that there were going to be messages given to the 7 Churches in Asia. Then, last week we looked at the big picture of the Book of Revelation and briefly looked at ALL of the events in the book. You will recall that we said that we would look at all of these things in more detail. Well, now it is time to begin looking at the details. So, tonight, we are going to go back to some of the things that we talked about in that first lesson and expand upon what we learned in Chapter 1 of Revelation. Specifically, we are going to look at the Messages that Jesus gave to the 7 churches." (Point to the Visual aid and read the title: The Messages of Jesus to the 7 Churches.)

Now, begin to involve the class by asking them some questions to help you in this review. (I will list a few of the questions I asked, but you, of course should ask your own questions or reword these with your own words). Just ask these questions. Do NOT write the answers on the visual aid.

Chapter 1 of Revelation tells of the events that led up to these messages and the Revelation of Prophecy being given.

To whom was the Revelation given? = to John

Who was John? = One of the Original 12 Apostles of Jesus.

Who gave John this Revelation? = An Angel which Jesus sent to John (gave most of it) and Jesus Himself (gave parts of the Revelation.)

Where was John? = On the Island of Patmos

Why? = he was a prisoner on the island of Patmos (which was a Roman Prison colony.)

Why was John a prisoner? = because he had been preaching the word of God and testifying about Jesus.

What was John DOING when he received this Revelation? = Worshipping God & Jesus.

What happened? (1:10-11) = John heard behind him a loud voice like the sound of a trumpet which said "Write on a scroll what you see....and send it to the 7 churches...."

"What were the names of the 7 Churches? As they give you the answer to this question, write the names of the churches on the Visual aid under the appropriate column....at the end of this answer, your visual aid will look like this:

THE MESSAGES OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.................................1........................2.......................3.................... 4..................... 5...................6...................7

..........................Ephesus...............Smyrna..........Pergamum..........Thyatira.............Sardis........Philadelphia......Laodicea

Then say: "Now let's look at those messages and see WHAT Jesus said to them and WHY. And, as you did in your homework, you made a chart, and there were several things you were to determine concerning each church. We will examine those same things, but in more detail as we fill in our visual aid. And, the first thing that we saw being told to each church was a description of Jesus Christ. (Write "description of Jesus" on the visual aid).

THE MESSAGES OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.................................1........................2.......................3.................... 4..................... 5...................6...................7

..........................Ephesus...............Smyrna..........Pergamum..........Thyatira.............Sardis........Philadelphia......Laodicea

Description

of Jesus

Say: Let's begin by looking at Ephesus.

Ask the class:

How was Jesus described? = holds 7 stars in His right hand & walks among the 7 lampstands

Write those answers on the visual aid as they give them to you.

.................................1........................2.......................3.................... 4..................... 5...................6...................7

..........................Ephesus...............Smyrna..........Pergamum..........Thyatira.............Sardis........Philadelphia......Laodicea

Description......holds 7stars in R hand

of Jesus...........walks among lampstands

Now, AS you write these things on the board. Ask some questions about these things (in your own words, you get the idea now). Such things as "What do the 7 stars represent? What do the lampstands represent? Were there more than 7 churches in Asia? What connection did John have to these 7 churches? ... etc. You do NOT need to record all of this on the visual aid, but you might put messengers / angels above the word stars and churches by the word lampstands for clarity.

Then ask: "Did Jesus say anything good about the church at Ephesus?" And, as you say this, write on the visual aid, the heading for the second thing to be discussed: Good Things (Commendations).

THE MESSAGES OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.........................................1............................................2.......................3.......................4....................

....................................Ephesus..................................Smyrna............Pergamum..........Thyatira

Description..........holds 7stars in R hand

of Jesus.................walks among lampstands

Good things

(Commendations)

They will say "yes" and you will say "What...?" And, as they give you their answers, record them on the visual aid....discussing at some length each answer AS they give it to you. Do not rush this. As they give you the various answers, in this and in all the categories to follow...and as you discuss each of the 4 churches in this and the next lesson, ask appropriate questions and give appropriate information to help them understand what Jesus is saying to each church and WHY and to draw out the applications which apply to today.

For example: When they tell you that Jesus said that he knew of their "deeds, hard work, and perseverance"..... write that on the board. Then, stop and discuss these things for a minute or so.

Then ask, "Did Jesus commend them for anything else? What?" And they will say: "I know you cannot tolerate wicked men and that you have tested those who claim to be apostles but are not and have found them to be false."

Write on the visual aid: "cannot tolerate wicked men & tested apostles and found them false

Stop and discuss this. Point out that in the days of the early church there were false apostles and the church had been told and warned many times (by Paul and others) to be careful and to be sure they were not being given false teaching. Ask your students to look up Acts 17:11, I Cor. 14:29,

I Thess 5:21-22 and I John 4:1 and ask for someone to read what each passage says. Then point out that they were told in these and other passages to check things out, to make sure that what they are taught lines up (agrees) with what is taught in the Scripture. If it does not agree or if it is an interpretation or teaching that is contrary to what scripture (OT and NT) teaches, they are to reject it and to know that those who are teaching such things are false apostles, false teachers.

Ask if we should heed such admonitions today. Are there false teachers today? How do we know they are false? Why are people deceived by these false teachers? (because if we do NOT KNOW what is in the Bible, we will NOT have anything to use as our guidelines to identify false teachings.... ).

So, what should we do about this? = Read and study the Bible and KNOW what is in it. Then we will be able to see if there are false teachers.

Point out that the Church at Ephesus apparently DID know what was in the Bible and were doing this. Ask, "Do we today know what is in the Bible? Can we recognize false teaching when we hear it? Can you identify false teaching? Does it have to be blatently false or can you recognize the early seeds of false teaching? What are some examples of false teaching today?"

etc. Spend about 3 or 4 minutes on this topic.

Then ask: "Were there any other good things that Jesus said to this church? What?" And record their answer on the visual aid as they give it to you:

persevered and endured hardships for Jesus name

have not grown weary

hate the deeds / practices of the Nicolaitans (2:6)

Now, stop and discuss this.

Say: "The Nicolaitans were also mentioned in the message to the church of ??? = Pergamum (2:14)

Who were the Nicloaitans? What false teachings did they teach? Did any of you look this up? If someone in your class has researched this, let them answer. If not, you could tell them....."This was a heretical group within the church who had compromised with the ways of the world. They believed that a person received 'spiritual liberty' when they became a Christian and, therefore, could practice idolatry and immorality and free love and etc., because, they said, that Jesus had saved them and forgiven them of everything and, therefore, it was OK if they did whatever they wanted because God had and would forgive them!

Ask: "Is this correct? Did Jesus save us so that we could continue to live as the world does and to sin and to live immoral lifestyles? (Spend 2 or 3 minutes discussing this... with the emphasis not so much on the people in the Church of Ephesus....but with the emphasis MAINLY on us today.) How are WE supposed to live as Believers in and followers of Jesus Christ? Today we do not call this teaching, the teaching of the Nicolaitans, but does this teaching exist today? =YES. Is this how You live? (a rhetorical question, do not make the class answer this....) What does Jesus SAY about such a lifesytle? (2:6 = Jesus HATES it).

Then say: "Yes, Jesus had many good things to say about the church at Ephesus, BUT, did Jesus have ANY complaints or criticisms? (as you say this, write in the heading for the next topic of discussion: "Complaints / Criticisms".

THE MESSAGE OF JESUS TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.......................................1............................................2.......................3....................4....................

....................................Ephesus...............................Smyrna..........Pergamum...........Thyatira.

Description..........holds 7stars in R hand

of Jesus...............walks among lampstands

Good things

(Commendations)

Complaints

Criticisms

When they give you the answer to this question = "You have lost your first love", write this on the visual aid. And then, discuss this. What does it mean to "loose your first love?" What was their first love? etc. Spend a minute or 2 or 3 here....

Then Discuss the Warnings..... What will happen if they don't heed the Warnings.

Then Discuss....What will happen (Rewards) if they do what Jesus asks?. Of course, as you discuss each of these topics, write the topic on the board and then fill in the information concerning each, as the class gives it to you, in the appropriate place on the visual aid. And, as before, DISCUSS each thing in some detail as they give it to you.

When you discuss the topic of Warnings, emphasise what they studied in their homework concerning REMEMBER, REPENT, and REDO (Do again ...). Spend as much time on this as necessary to be SURE that they understand that when they sin in any area, whether by losing their first love.... or by adopting the false teachings of the Nicolaitans and following the ways and manners and customs of the world, that they can be restored to a proper and joyous relationship with Jesus by..... Rembering, Repenting, and ReDoing (with the help of the Holy Spirit), the things they did at first. ....etc. This is a VERY important topic.... probably the MOST important of all the things you will discuss concerning the Church at Ephesus. So, be sure you cover this adequately.

After you have finished discussing and recording the information concerning the Message to the church of Ephesus, ask the class to give a summary statement for the church of Ephesus. Ask them, "IF there is ONE word or phrase that you would like to use to remember what Jesus said to this church, what would it be? = LOST FIRST LOVE. Then write this on the visual aid above the name of the church in the Heading region of the Visual aid. (Also, Ask for a summary statement as you finish discussing each church. For Smyrna, they will probably say = Suffering. Pergamum = Compromising. Thyatira = Tolerating.) Below, I have shown you how I wrote this on my visual aid after finishing the discussion of Ephesus....

THE MESSAGE TO THE 7 CHURCHES

.......................................1............................................2.......................3....................4....................

............................. Lost First Love

....................................Ephesus...............................Smyrna............Pergamum.........Thyatira.....

Description..........holds 7stars in R hand

of Jesus...............walks among lampstands

Then say: "Great! Now, let's look at the Message of Jesus to the Church of Smyrna!

Of course, you now have all the topic headings in place on the left hand side of the visual aid, so begin by asking: How was Jesus described to this church? & Why was this description given? Record and discuss the information as before....

Continue on through the rest of the first 4 churches in this manner. You get the idea.

You as the teacher / leader have been selected by the Holy Spirit to lead your group. So Do it!

Remember, the Holy Spirit wants to speak through you. So, let Him. He will guide you into what to discuss and ask and teach. How will He do this? He will show you as you bathe your preparation time in PRAYER (for this and EVERY class that you lead.). As you pray, asking for guidance, and as you prepare for this and each lesson, write down things the Holy Spirit shows you that He wants you to emphasize. You and He know the needs of your class better than I. Let the Holy Spirit direct you to the topics to emphasize for YOUR class and situation and timeframe.

Then.... at the END of this class, after you have looked at and recorded and discussed the information concerning the messages to the first 4 of the 7 churches, you can end your session with something like:

"Well, we have looked at the Messages of Jesus to 4 of the 7 Churches in Asia. And, even though we have discussed and learned a lot, we have really only scratched the surface. But, time flies, and we must end. Next week, we will look at the messages to the remaining 3 churches. Be sure to do your homework if at all possible. It will surely help you to better understand what we will be doing. And, now, let's close with prayer."

And, again, YOU close with a brief prayer.

Then, as the class leaves.... be friendly. Speak to them individually if possible..Tell them goodby.. Spend time with whomever needs it. Don't be a teacher who teaches and runs, but be a teacher who is also a shepherd of the sheep and who cares about his / her flock.

Also, if any of your members are absent, call them or write them (either by snail mail or email.) Let them know that you care.

Additional suggestions for wordbuffs

and

other information which you might want to include in this lesson:

EPHESUS

In 2:4, LOVE is Agape

In 2:5, REMEMBER is Present, active, imperative; HAVE FALLEN is Perfect, active, indiciative; REPENT =METANOEO (to change one's thinking or to think differently) is aorist, active, imperative; DO (redo) is aorist, active imperative.

In 2:7, Tree of Life is also mentioned in Rev. 22:2

SMYRNA

2:9 AFFLICTIONS =Thlipsis (pressure, crushing). POVERTY=Ptocheia.

2:10 SUFFER =Pascho (strongs 3958); PERSECUTION=Thlibo (Strongs 2346); CROWN = Stephanos, is a garland or wreath awarded to the winner such as in athletic contests (used also in Revelation 3:11; 4:4,10; 6:2; 9:7; 12:1; 14:14 .... as contrasted with CROWN = Diadem, which is a Royal Crown of a King (used in Revelation 12:3; 13:1; 19:12).

2:11 SECOND DEATH is also mentioned in Rev. 21:8

PERGAMUM

2:13 FAITH = Pistis.

2:14 BALAAM ... see Numbers 25:1-2; 31:16; Jude 11. Among other things, Balaam told the Midianite women how to deceive the Israelites and lead them astray.

2:17 NEW NAME... see also where names are written or given in Rev. 21:12 (on the 12 gates); 21:14 (on the 12 foundations); 21:27 (re. names are written in the Lamb's book of life...); 22:4 (the Bondservants of God and Jesus will have name written on foreheads).... etc.

THYATIRA

2:20 TOLERATE is present, indicative, active. PROPHETESS (Prophetis, Strongs 4398)=a female foreteller or inspired woman. TEACHING is present, active, infinitive. MISLEEDS is present, infiinitive, middle. SERVANTS = Doulos (1401), bondservants. EATING is aorist, infinitive, active.

2:21 REPENT = 3340, Metanoeo This same word is used two times in this verse. The first time it is used, re. repent of her immorality it is aorist, subjunctive, active ... and when used the second time, re. she is unwilling (to repent), it is aorist, indicative, active.

2:24 DO NOT HOLD is present, indicative, active. TEACHING = Didache, 1322 (instruction, doctrine). LEARNED = Ginosko 1097, know, is aorist indicative, active. DEEP SECRETS = Bathos, 899, profundity, extent, depth. Some people in those days, including the Gnostics, thought that the way to gain victory over Satan was that a person had to first enter his stronghold and personally experience the evil things (the deep things, the deep secrets) of satan. Hmmmm. Seems like that STUPID idea is still around today!

2:25 HOLD ON = Krateo (2902) aorist, imperative, active.

2:26 OVERCOMES=Nikao (2528) present, active, participle. We will study this in more depth in Lesson 4.

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