Key Thought: The messages to the churches in Asia in John’s day also symbolize the condition of the church in seven eras of church history. Jesus offers hope and explains the needs of each church.

January 19, 2019

1. Have a volunteer read Revelation 2:8-11.

1. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
2. What is the second death mentioned here in the message to Smyrna?
3. Personal Application: What can we infer from the enemies of God’s people who claim to be “Jews” but are the Synagogue of Satan? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What does it mean when it says Smyrna will have tribulation ten days? Is this a literal time for a literal Smyrna, or a symbolic time for a symbolic Smyrna?” How would you respond to your relative? (Note: Diocletian persecuted the Christians for ten years from 303 to 313AD in history.)

2. Have a volunteer read Revelation 2:18-23.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
2. What good things did Jesus see in this church, and what was troubling the church?
3. Personal Application: When Jesus told the church to hold fast to what you have, what application do you see to your walk with God today? What are we to hold fast to? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your friends states, “Jezebel was killed in the Old Testament. What applications does this have with Jezebel? And how were her children to be killed with death?” How would you reply to your friend?
   (Note: Jezebel was married to the king of Israel, Ahab. She led people into idol worship. Spiritually the state church during the Dark Ages was “married” to Christ, but led people into idol worship. Members of that system in the Dark Ages were killed by the thousands by the Black Plague, or Black Death.)

3. Have a volunteer read Revelation 3:1-6.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. How do we keep from thinking we are alive but are really dead? How are we to overcome our spiritual condition
3. Personal Application: How are we to be watchful today? How alert are we in our Spiritual walk in the world today? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “What does it mean that Sardis’ works were not found perfect before God? Aren’t we saved by grace through faith in Christ alone? Why does Jesus say Sardis needs to overcome and keep His works until the end?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

4. Have a volunteer read Revelation 3:14-21.

1. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
2. What does it mean to be lukewarm? How can people think they are rich but really poor, blind, and naked?
3. Personal Application: What does the gold, white raiment, and eyesalve represent? Share your thoughts.
4. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.

(Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.”Ministry of Healing, p. 148).

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