‘Are you tolerating partial obedience to God?’
Revelation 2:12-17
Pergamum: For a Confused Church
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
Jesus acknowledges the difficulty the Christians in Pergamum are facing. He knows they are living in a rather eclectic spiritual environment. It’s dark. And they have been suffering. They have held on, even to the point of death. But some of them have become followers of a cult-like teacher who insists they can compromise with
their culture.
1. Why do you think this letter would be attractive to people in a situation like theirs?
2. Are there times when suffering can actually weaken your resolve to resist temptation? Why? Have you ever seen this to be true in your own life?
3. The teachings of the Nicolaitans are obscure, but according to early Christian sources, they taught a form of “dualism” that states that what we do in the physical world does not impact our spiritual lives. Do you ever see people following a version of this today? How so?
4. It’s important to note that Jesus does not criticize these Christians for living in Pergamum, or for doing business with pagans, or for knowing pagans as friends.
The problem was not that the church was in Pergamum, but that there was too much Pergamum in the church. How does this apply to us today? What practical steps can you take to try to be shaped more by Christ than by culture?
5. One of the lessons about Pergamum is that theology matters. How you think about God and the world — what you believe, the people you listen to — really does change your behaviour. How have you seen your own beliefs about God
impact your behaviour?
6. What has been the core of your faith that has brought you back when you go astray, or kept you on the right track?
7. Are there lessons from Jesus’ words to Pergamum that you feel are particularly relevant to your life?
