‘Do you live like Jesus?’
Revelation 2:8-11
Smyrna: Jesus’ Letter For Hurting People
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
1. Jesus describes himself to the church as “the first and the last, who died and came to life.” Why would this description be particularly meaningful to the church in Smyrna? Read Matthew 10:28-33 to help answer the question.
2. Jesus warns them that affliction will last for 10 days, and calls them to be faithful unto death. The threat of violence and death because of their faith was a real possibility. How difficult is that reality for us to process? How might we address/apply it in our free society?
3. Around the world, people are suffering physically, emotionally, economically, and relationally because of their faith in Jesus. While it’s easy to feel helpless to do anything at all for them, what is the powerful thing we can do?
Take some time to pray for the churches in countries you know of that are being persecuted.
4. Most people in the western world compromise our faith for far less than death. In which areas of life do you think Christians most feel the pressure to compromise or to not speak up, act differently or pursue grace and truth?
From where does that pressure come?
5. In what area of life do you feel pressure to compromise? Where does that pressure come from?
6. How do you feel led to respond to this week’s message and text? Are there steps of obedience you feel the Spirit asking you to take?
