Leaders Guide Revelation Lesson 4

Leader's Guide for Revelation---Lesson 4

OPEN WITH PRAYER. Remember, you do the praying. Keep it short.

SUGGESTED VISUAL AID for this lesson: This visual aid will be similar to the chart you used in Lesson 3. But, this time the first 4 columns will be very THIN (narrow) and will be numbered 1,2,3,4 and the columns numbered 5,6,7 will be wide. Also, you will have the same column titles on the left that we used last week. So, your chart initially will look something like this:

The Messages of Jesus to the 7 Churches in Asia (cont.)

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

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

...................

Description

of Jesus

Good

Things

Complaints

Criticisms

Warnings

What if

don't heed

warning

What if

do what

Jesus asks

. .

If possible, have this skeleton form of the visual aid on the board before the class starts. Then the early arrivers will know what the chart is going to look like and can start making thier own chart on their notepaper. I have found that by putting the skeleton of the visual aid on the board encourages the class to arrive on time or early, so they can start making out their chart. Indeed, this gives them an incentive to arrive early, especially since we often have many columned charts. This also gives them a heads up on what the discussion will cover and saves you time since you will not have to use up valuable discussion time putting the skeleton the board after the class has started.

BEGIN WITH REVIEW:

Say: "Last week we looked at the first 4 messages to 4 of the 7 Churches of Asia."

Then ask the following questions but do NOT write the answers on the visual aid. These are just questions to get them back into thinking about the lesson and to bring them up to speed. And, if you have any visitors or absentees who have returned, this will also be very helpful to them.

You may use your own words and your own questions, of course, and you may have more questions, especially if you have lots of new people who need more background information. But, this is what I asked my class by way of review.

? Who were these messages from? = Jesus

? To whom were they given? = To the 7 Churches..... or....to John (both answers are correct)

? What was John to do with these messages? = Give them to the 7 churches

? Where was John? Why couldn't he just tell them in person? = he was a prisoner on the Island of Patmos and couldn't go see them.

? Why was he a prisoner and of whom? He was a prisoner of Rome. His 'crime' was that of teaching the word of God and telling about Jesus!

Now Ask: ? What were the names of the 7 Churches receiving these messages? (As the class gives you the names, write them in the proper order on the visual aid under the appropriate columns.) Your chart at the conclusion of this question will look like this:

The Messages of Jesus to the 7 Churches in Asia (cont.)

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

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

Description

of Jesus

Good

Things

Complaints

Criticisms

Warnings

What if

don't heed

warning

What if

do what

Jesus asks

Now say: "Last week we looked at the messages to Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamun, and Thyatira and we learned a lot. We won't go over all that we learned last week now, but, by way of summary for each of these 4 churches, let's at least recall the summary word or phrase that we gave each church to help us remember the message to each one.

? What was the main thing to remember about Ephesus? = LEFT FIRST LOVE

(When the class gives you this summary statement, write it sideways in the narrow column under Ephesus. Your chart will then look like this:)

The Messages of Jesus to the 7 Churches in Asia (cont.)

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

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

Description.......L

of Jesus...........E

.......................F

Good ..............T

Things

.......................F

Complaints......I

Criticisms........R

......................S

Warnings.......T

What if .........L

don't heed......O

warning.........V

.....................E

What if

do what

Jesus asks

Then ask.

? What was their first love that the Church at Ephesus had leftt? = their love for Jesus.

?What did Jesus tell them to DO to regain their first love for Him?

.................................= Remember..., Repent... Redo.

Do not write these answers on the board, but very briefly discuss them. (Spend about 1 minute on Ephesus)

? And what was the summary word for Church 2, Smyrna? = Suffering (write this on the visual aid... lengthwise, as you did with the summary statement for Ephesus. Your visual aid will now look like this:)

The Messages of Jesus to the 7 Churches in Asia (cont.)

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

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

Description.....L...........S

of Jesus.........E...........U

.....................F...........F

Good ...........T...........F

Things.......................E

............. .......F..........R

Complaints.....I...........I

Criticisms.......R......... N

......................S.........G

Warnings.......T

What if ...........L

don't heed........O

warning...........V

........................E

What if

do what

Jesus asks

Then discuss Smyrna briefly. (about 1 or 2 minutes total)... (Ask questions such as these but don't write the answers on the board.) I asked:

? Who was one person at Smyrna who would suffer? = Polycarp

? What do you remember about Polycarp and his suffering? = he was a disciple of John, he was the Bishop of the church, he died as a martyr about 50 or so years later, he burned at the stake, etc.

Then ask

?What was the summary word for Pergamum? = Compromising (write this on the board, as you have been doing for the other churches.)

(Then ask, but do not write these answers on the board.)

? What kinds of things were they compromising? ie Were there any specific groups or teachings that were mentioned? = YES, the Nicolaitians and the teachings of Balak.

? What kinds of compromises did these groups or teachings want them to do? = eat food sacrificed to idols and to commit sexual adultry.

Then ask:

What was the summary word for Thyatira = Tolerating (write this on the board)

Ask, but do not write answers on the board:

? Specifically who were they tolerating? = Jezebel

?What was Jezebel teaching them to tolerate? = sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols.

? Are there any truths or applications that we can learn from Jesus' messages to those 4 churches? =YES

? What? = let the class give you answers and discuss this.

Be sure that they see the connnection between what Jesus told those churches and the need for us to heed the same advice and warnings. Be sure they understand that God does NOT change. So if He did not want them to do these things then, He does not want us to do these things today! Be sure they understand that not only are specific things being condemend by Jesus, but also that PRINCIPLES are being presented. We might not eat 'food sacrificed to idols' but the principles are the same....ie... the way we spend our time, money, where we put our interests and allegiance and etc. are all similar to 'eating food sacrificed to idols'... Ask the class to tell you the kinds of things we do and tolerate today that Jesus would tell us to NOT do and to NOT tolerate. (Keep this discussion in the area of principles and categories. Do NOT let it be a time of gossip or "Edith does such and such....") Allow about 3-4 minutes for this discussion if necessary. The main point is that they understand that these are not just messages to churches 2000 years ago but are applicable to us TODAY.

Then continue on with the visual aid by saying: "Great, Yes we did learn a lot last week and we could go on and on, but, now let's look at the other 3 churches.

Let's begin with Sardis.

Now begin to ask the questions such as you did last week to fill in the columns in detail.

Begin with:

?How did Jesus describe himself to Sardis? = Holds 7 Spirits of God and holds 7 stars. (Write this on the visual aid)

? What are the 7 stars? = Messengers / angels/ pastors (write this on the vis aid in parentheses next to the word 'stars'.

? Were there any good things that Jesus said to Sardis? = No, not really. (If the class says: "a few have not soiled their clothes ..Rev. 3:4, put that on the board. Otherwise leave this section blank and say " Hmmmm. No Good things. How sad. Would Jesus have this to say about you? About your church? Then, quickly add, before they can answer, tell them that this is a rhetorical question and you don't expect them to answer this out loud, but you do expect them to THINK about it.)

Continue on with your questions about Sardis, filling in the columns as you did last week. (Spend about 5 or so minutes doing this. At the end of your questions and discussion re. Sardis, ask them:

? What is the summary word for Sardis? = DEAD (write this on the visual aid...above or below the word Sardis at the top of the chart, not lengthwise as you have been doing for the other churches).

Continue on through the other 2 churches (Philadelphia and Laodicea) asking questions as you just did for Sardis and as you did last week as you fill in the columns. Discuss each thing for whatever time is appropriate for your time frame and group, spending about 5 or 10 minutes on each of these 2 last churches.

Then, when you have completed the visual aid and have written the last information concerning the "What will happen if they do what Jesus asks", point out to them that Jesus is giving the PROMISES TO THE OVERCOMERS in this column. (At this point, subtitle that last column: PROMISES TO OVERCOMERS and write that in on the chart.) Then go back, and as review, ask the class what the promises to the overcomers of Ephesus were....and write their answers in the column on the vis. aid. Do the same with the other 3 churches (Smyrna, Pergamun, Thyatira).

Remind them that they studied about overcomers in their lesson this week and read some scriptures about Overcomers. Then ask,

? Who are overcomers? = Believers in Jesus Christ (they will give variations on this answser..such as "those who have accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, etc...as long as it is in this 'ballpark', and shows their understanding that these people are genuine believers in Jesus and God and have been truly 'saved', accept it.....)... Discuss this for about a minute or two. Be sure they understand that the ONLY way a person can be an overcomer and can receive the Promises to the Overcomers is by being Born again, believing in Jesus Christ, etc.

Ask: ? What do overcomers OVERCOME? = (again, refer them to the scriptures they read and marked in this lesson. You should get such answers as: the world, the devil, evil, etc. ) Discuss this for 2 or 3 minutes. Be sure that they understand that the only way to overcome evil, temptation, etc. is by being a child of God, a believer in Jesus, a saved person, etc. .....

Ask : ? How does a person become an overcomer? (be sure they understand the 'plan of salvation.'... remind them that there was a prayer in their lesson.. that if they prayed it and sincerely meant it, then they are an overcomer, whether they 'feel like it' or not. Spend about a minute or 2 or whatever you need here.)

Ask: ? What are the rewards of an overcomer? Point out that you have written some of them on the board and there are more but these are the ones that were specifically told to the seven churches because they were so appropriate and applicable to their specific situations. So, don't rewrite them. Just read them again to the group as they were worded ont the visual aid.

Then close by asking.....as a Rhetorical question..... and not expecting an answer:

Are YOU an overcomer?

Will you receive these rewards?

Are you sure?

Pause for a few seconds to give them time to reflect briefly on those questions.

Then immediately say....

Let's pray.

And close with a brief prayer. (Again, as always, YOU do the praying.

Then, dismiss the class .... as we always do....and say..... "Well, see ya next week!"

And, again, as always....be available.... don't rush out of the room. Tell the people goodby as they leave and talk with any who need that 'special attention.'

Also, be sure to ALWAYS leave the room neat and tidy ...and in BETTER appearance and condition than when you arrived...so anyone who uses it after your class will not have to clean up after you.

Interesting Supplemental Information Which you might want to use:.

Sardis

3:2 WAKE UP is present, indicative, active.

Also, it is interesting to note that the goddess Diana (aka Artemis, Cybele) was thought to have special powers to restore the dead to life. And, they, of course, also worshipped this goddess.

COMPLETE (deeds) is perfect, passive, participle.

The main reason why their deeds were not complete is because their deeds were not initiated by or done by and through the power of the Holy Spirit. Instead they were doing them with their own power and desire. These are the kinds of deeds that will be considered to be wood, hay, and stubble and which will be burned up when tested by God's fire of testing. This is a very important point. Be sure your class understands about incomplete deeds....

3:3 REMEMBER...OBEY..... REPENT.... (this is similar to the message given to Ephesus....).

3:4 SOILED = Moluno, 3435, aorist, indicative, active. When a person's garments are soiled, this is an indication that the worshipper has been disqualified to Worship and if they do so with soiled garments, this would be an act of dishonor to God. Also, remember, Sardis was famous for manufacturing and dying woolen gaments, so this reference to soiled (defiled) garments had special significance to them. They would understand!

Philadelphia

3:8 OPEN DOOR... Open is Perfect passive. SHUT is aorist active infitive.

Have not denied My (Jesus') name. Jesus also said this to Pergamum.

3:9...Loved is AGAPE... and it is interesting that Jesus made this reference about LOVE to the church of Brotherly Love, Philadelphia.

3:11 CROWN is Stephanos, a victor's crown. There are Spiritual Crowns which are Rewards. Four of these are: The Incorruptable Crown (I Cor. 9:15); The Crown of Righteousness (2 Tim. 4:8); The Crown of Life (James 1:12); and The Crown of Glory (1 Peter 5:4).

Laodicea

3:15-16 COLD (#5593 Psuchros =chilly, cold.) ...Cold is good. Remember, Jesus said that if anyone gives one a cup of cold water in His name, he will not loose his reward....

HOT (2200 Zestos=hot, boiled). You can see our English word, zesty, derives from this. Of course, Hot is also good and useful... for cleaning things, to make hot tea and coffee, etc.

LUKEWARM (#5513 Chilaros= tepid). Ug. Tepid. Not good.

SPIT / SPEW (1692 Emeo = vomit). You Medical types will notice that the get the word, emesis (vomit) and emesis basin (to catch the vomit in) from this.

The Lord demands, expects, and deserves enthusiasm and total committment from those who worship and serve Him.

3:17 RICH = (4145 plousios = wealthy, abounding with riches.) WEALTH (4147 = plouteo).

Re. NAKED in 3:17...and Nakedness in 3:18...Nakedness was a sign of judgment and being humbled.

3:18 Buy Gold REFINED (4448 Puroo) in the FIRE (4442 Pur). You will note our word PURIFY comes from these Greek words.

How is Gold refined? See I Peter 1:6-7. Who does God discipline? Heb. 12:5-14.

3:20 I (Jesus) stand at the door and knock. This verse has been immortalized in the painting by Holman Hunt and is in the St Paul Cathedral in London. There is no handle on the outside of the door. Therefore Jesus can only come in IF the person inside opens the door as He stands outside knocking.

EAT..is future active indicative. The meal referred to here is probably the one at the end of the day, which is the main meal of the day, and is the meal which is the occasion for hospitality.

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