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About the seven letters Over the next month, we’ll be exploring the last three of the
seven letters sent to seven churches found in Revelation 2:1-
3:22. In this second part of this series, we will be looking at the
churches of Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea. While exiled on
the island of Patmos, the apostle John received a revelation from
Jesus Christ which we now call the book of Revelation. In this
vision, Jesus gave John these seven messages for these seven
churches. The letters resemble the biblical format of oracles and
they were specifically to God’s people dispersed in these seven
cities.
As you read the seven letters, you’ll see some common threads
throughout. Jesus starts each letter with, “These are the words
of…” and gives a one phrase description of himself. He then
reviews the churches and depending on the church, Jesus will
affirm, commend, warn, scold, or correct them. His goal is to
keep them on the target, or get them on target to fulfil his
mission to reach the world. The letters to the seven churches are
prophetic letters that provide direct significance to the life of the
church even today. There’s so much we can learn!
Session 5 - Sardis (Revelation 3:1-6) Session 6 - Philadelphia (Revelation 3:7-13) Session 7 - Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22)
Sardis- Revelation 3:1-6 CONVERSATION STARTER What is one activity that really gives you life?
DIGGING DEEPER We continue our series Seven by exploring the letter written to
the church in Sardis. This was the fifth letter of seven written to
the churches found in Revelation. The church in Sardis
resembled a dead church and was only alive in its name. There
were a few who had not “soiled their clothes” and were found
worthy in their walk with Jesus.
Jesus knew about their rebellious ways, but even so, he wanted
them to become strong in him again. Jesus commands the rest of
them to “Wake up!” and strengthen what was left of their
church.
Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:1-6.
Jesus begins his letter to the church with a criticism and said “I
know your deeds; you have a reputation of being alive, but you
are dead.” The church was probably full of people who call
themselves Christians but don’t actually practice or follow Jesus.
How important is a good reputation to you? How would you
feel if people had the wrong idea of who you are because of
your reputation?
What are your initial impressions of the church in Sardis?
The church in Sardis is described as having “a reputation of being
alive, but you are dead”.
What are the qualities of a church that is alive? What about
the qualities of a dead church?
What is the contrast between their reputation and the
reality? In what ways are we similar to Sardis?
What is the only hope for the survival of the church in Sardis?
Read James 1:21-25.
How does the term “nominal Christian” illustrate James’
point in verses 22-24? On the contrary, what does the life of
someone in verse 25 look like?
What does it mean for you to “Do what it says” as stated in
verse 22?
How do these verses apply to your life? What will you do
about it?
What is Jesus calling you to do today? Take time to pray, asking
God to help you walk in genuine faith and passion.
If Jesus addressed this “Wake up!” call to you, what would
He want you to strengthen?
Jesus promises that whoever overcomes that He will never blot
their name out of the book of life. There is hope for those who
follow Jesus and do what He says. He promises eternal life for
those that repent and submit to Him.
PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other’s prayer requests and
share what God is doing in your life.
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Philadelphia- Revelation 3:7-13 CONVERSATION STARTER When have you been locked out of your home? Vehicle?
What happened?
DIGGING DEEPER We continue our series Seven by exploring the letter written to
the church in Philadelphia. This was the sixth letter of seven
written to the churches found in Revelation. The church in
Philadelphia was facing major persecution all around them. A
large portion of the persecution came from the Jewish
population in the city. The Jewish opposition was so intense that
they Christ refers to them as a synagogue of Satan. They “claim
to be Jews though they are not, but are liars.” As you can
imagine, the fierce persecution probably tempted those in the
church to withdrawal themselves, to keep their faith private.
The church in Philadelphia is one of only two in Revelation that
receives no rebuke or correction (the other is Smyrna). Instead,
in the midst of severe persecution and opposition, Jesus offers
comfort to the church. Jesus encourages them by saying, “Hold
on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:7-13.
Even today, we find ourselves in difficult situations where
compromise is the easy way out. As followers of Jesus, we have
to decide how we’re going to react in a post-Christian culture as
persecution grows.
What are your initial impressions of the church in
Philadelphia?
What are the good characteristics of this church?
In what ways are we like the Christians in Philadelphia?
Unlike them? Why?
Have you ever seen someone keep their faith even in hard
times?
Are you, or have you been worn out and in need of
encouragement and hope? What is Jesus saying to you
today?
How do you find hope in the fact that even though your
strength seems gone?
Jesus will see that whatever injustices we suffer will be made
right.” Read Revelation 7:15-17 and Isaiah 61:1-8.
Does these verses bring you comfort? How so?
How do these verses apply to your life? What will you do
about it?
The trials and difficulties of life are opportunities for Christ to
shine through us.
What does it look like to trust God and live our lives like He is
in control? What situations in your life are currently
challenge this?
What steps do you need to take to move toward trusting and
living like God is in control?
Have you placed your faith and trust in Jesus, the “one who
holds the key”?
A consistent theme in Jesus’ letters to these churches is, “This
world isn’t all there is. I have so much more for you.” For those
who overcome and remain faithful, Jesus has promised
incredible rewards.
As we journey through life, let us remember that He is faithful
and He will never leave us or forsake us.
PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other’s prayer requests and
share what God is doing in your life.
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Laodicea- Revelation 3:14-22 CONVERSATION STARTER What is your favourite cold cereal? Hot cereal? Your
favourite cold drink? Hot drink?
DIGGING DEEPER We finish our series Seven by exploring the letter written to the
church in Laodicea. This was the final letter of seven written to
the churches found in Revelation. Laodicea was the wealthiest of
the seven cities, but the city always had a problem with its water
supply. They constructed a system to bring water in from the hot
springs, but by the time the water reached the city it was neither
hot or cool—only lukewarm.
The church in Laodicea was lacking in every way. Yes, they were
a church, but they lacked having Jesus in the centre.
Read the letter to the church from Revelation 3:14-22.
The Laodiceans were rich, but their riches were worldly, not
spiritual. They needed spiritual wealth which can only comes
through Jesus Christ.
Why can it be difficult to have wealth and follow Jesus? What
does it look like for someone who is wealthy to follow Jesus?
What are your initial impressions of the church in Laodicea?
What are the good characteristics of this church? What’s
lacking?
How do the church’s strengths and weaknesses relate to
each other?
In what ways are we similar to Laodicea? What strengths do
we have, and what warnings would God give us?
Jesus goes on to call them wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and
naked. Theses are some of the worst things for a person in the
ancient world to be called. Jesus was not doing this just out of
anger; He was labeling them as they were. Yet even in His anger,
Jesus was calling them back to Him. Even when we think we’ve
gone to far, Jesus is always reaching out to us. He wants to be in
relationship with us.
Read Matthew 23:25-28.
How does Jesus’ challenge here compare to the church in
Laodicea? In what ways can we be similar to the Pharisees?
Where do you think you are stuck? What steps do you need
to take to get unstuck?
The reality is that the only solution for Laodicea’s problem with
being lukewarm and our own is Jesus Himself. Jesus offers a
word of counsel for spiritually compromised in verse 19 and he
says: “Therefore be earnest and repent.”
What does it mean to be earnest and repent as followers of
Jesus?
What might it look like to totally rely on Jesus on a daily
basis?
God loves us too much to leave us the way we are. He desires for
all to be in relationship with him. He’s waiting and ready for us to
move.
“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my
voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that
person, and they with me.”
Read the entire verse several times, stopping after each word
or phrase. Which words or phrases stand our most
prominently to you? Share your thoughts.
How do you need Jesus to work in your life today? Pray for
one another.
PRAISE & PRAYER POINTS Spend some time praying for each other’s prayer requests and
share what God is doing in your life.
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