Introduction:

This is our second meeting for the Spring Semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Friendly reminder that anyone is welcome to join, and you do not have to have attended a previous meeting to join this week.

We meet at 7:00 pm and will continue meeting through the end of May 2024 (05/29/2024).

This semester, Called Men’s Group is conducting a Bible study of the Book of Revelation. We are using the SOAP method of Bible study, which is a systematic way to look deeper into Scripture and find more than if one were to just read the scripture. The word “SOAP” is an acronym for: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer (and I’ve added Questions).

A friend sent me a message that said: “God did not give us the book of Revelation, so we’d build bomb shelters in the back yard. He gave us the book so that we’d build bigger dinner tables and invite our friends over and tell them about Jesus.” - we too will take this same approach.

Revelation can be divided into six sections:

  1. Introduction (1:1-8)

  2. Vision of Jesus (1:9-20)

  3. Message to the Seven Churches (2:1-3:22)

  4. Visions of the seven-sealed scroll, the seven trumpets, and the seven bowls (4:1-19:10)

  5. Vision of the return of Christ and the fulfillment of this age (19:11-20:15)

  6. Vision of the new heaven, the new earth, and the new Jerusalem (21:1-22:21)

The book of Revelation is a book of hope. The apostle John who was an eyewitness of Jesus, proclaimed of His return.

The Book is also a warning; things were not as they should have been in the churches, so Christ called the members to examine themselves, repent and live righteously. John also wrote the Book to encourage the churches to resist the demands to worship the Roman emperor. He warns us all that God’s faithful people should only be devoted to Christ. Revelation identifies who the faithful people are and what they should be doing until Christ returns.

Quick review of last week:

In Chapter 1, John relates the circumstances that led to the writing of the book; in Chapter 2 (and also Chapter 3 which we’ll study this week), Jesus gives special messages to the seven churches.

This Week’s Prayer: Oh, Lord, thank you for giving us this time to come together and read your word. Father, you have written out names in the Book of life. Give us the willpower and courage to love, honor, and obey you faithfully.

Help us to always praise you with great reverence and respect. May your Kingdom come soon, may your will be done on earth, as it is in Heaven. Thank you Lord, for giving us hope and eternal victory through Jesus. -Amen

Scripture:

Read - Revelation Chapters 3:1 – 5:14

Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

  • While many people in the church of Sardis were leading impure lives, believers in Philadelphia obeyed God faithfully, Christ followers in Laodicea, on the other hand, were wrapped up in Roman society and not fully committed to Jesus. Therefore, Jesus urged the unfaithful to repent and return to Him. Obedient believers were called to continue to persevere, and He commanded lukewarm, spiritually sick Christians to change. Agree/Disagree?

  • The problem in the Sardis church was not heresy but spiritual death. In spite of its reputation for being active, Sardis was infested with sin. Its deeds were evil, and its clothes soiled. The Spirt has no words of commendation for the church that looked so good on the outside but was so corrupt on the inside. And even though Christ called Sardis a dead church, he also affirmed the handful of people who were faithful believers. Christ loves to defeat death. Make sure that we preserve our faithfulness. In times of doubt or struggle, Pray for God to intervene. Also ask God to help you find other believers who will walk with you and encourage you through your time of struggle. Agree/Disagree?

  • The church at Sardis was urged to go back to what they first heard and believed to get back to the basics of the faith. It is important to grow in our knowledge of the Lord. To deepen our understanding through careful study. But no matter how much we learn, we must never abandon the basics truths. Agree/Disagree?

    • Some of the churches had accommodated themselves to the sin around them. How do Christians often rationalize their own weaknesses, failings and shortcomings? Discuss.

    • How do our actions affect the failures or success of others?

  • Christ gives each church a strong message, with many of the churches being influenced by their culture and falling into indifference to following Christ, experimenting in immorality and following false teachers.

    • Think about and identify influences in popular culture that affect us the most. (Television, Movies, Sports, social media etc.) How do these influences affect our relationship with Jesus? Discuss.

    • It is easy to think of a church as just a building, but the building is just four walls and a roof, the church is us – the people. Agree/Disagree?

    • With this understanding, the lessons for the seven churches also apply to us. Agree/Disagree?

    • Love and purity are two major themes, why is it important to keep these two connected? Discuss.

    • What causes believers to fall away from God? Discuss.

    • How are Christians tempted to cut corners in ethics and morality? Discuss

    • What are some temptations Christians might face?

    • What steps can we take to avoid impurity or help us deal with it effectively?

    • Of all the potential dangers identified in these churches, which stands out to you most?

  • Chapters 4 and 5 record glimpses into Christ’s Glory. Here we see into the throne room of heaven. God is on the throne and orchestrating all the events that John will record. This world is not spinning out of control the God of creation will carry out his plans as Christ initiates the final battle with the forces of evil. John shows us heaven before showing us earth so that we will not be frightened by future events. Agree/Disagree?

  • Four times in the Book of Revelation John says he was “in the spirit” what do we think this expression means? Discuss.

    • The expression means that the Holy Spirt was giving John the vision – showing him situations and events he could not have seen with mere human sight.

  • In John’s time, books were written on scrolls – pieces of papyrus or vellum up to 30 feet long, rolled and sealed with clay or wax. The scroll that John sees contains the full account of what God has in store for the world. The seven seals indicate the importance of its contents. The seals are located throughout the scroll so that as each one is broken, more of the scroll can be read to reveal another phase of God’s plan for the end of the world, and only Christ is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll. Agree/Disagree?

  • Jesus is described as both a Lion, symbolizing His authority and power, and a Lamb, symbolizing His submission to God’s will. When one of the elders calls John to look at the Lion, he sees a Lamb. Christ the Lamb was the perfect sacrifice for the sins of all; therefore, only He can save us from the terrible events revealed in the scroll. Christ dying on the cross – He defeated all the forces of evil. Christ the Lion will lead the battle where Satan is finally defeated. We will participate in His victory, not because of our effort or goodness, but because he has promised eternal like to all who believe in Him.

  • In chapter 4 it is obvious that God’s authority is absolute, in Chapter 5, the attention shifts to Jesus. What does this say about Christs place in our life and our world? Discuss.

  • Is there anything that stands out/jumped out to you? Share with the group and discuss.

  • Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss and research.

  • Biggest takeaway?

Assignment:

  • Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Revelation 6:1 – 8:13

  • Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss at the next meeting.

References/Acknowledgements:

Elements of today’s Bible study were copied from:

1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/

2. NLT, Life Application Bible Studies, Revelation; copyright 1998, 2009, Tyndale House Publishers Inc, Carol Stream, Illinois.

Schedule:

Meeting No., Date Chapters (Total Verses)

_X_ 001, 04/03 Ch. 1 & 2. (49 Verses)

_X_ 002, 04/10 Ch. 3, 4 & 5. (48 Verses)

___ 003, 04/17 Ch. 6, 7, & 8. (47 Verses)

___ 004, 02/24 Ch. 9, & 10. (31 Verses)

___ 005, 05/01 Ch. 11, 12, & 13. (47 Verses)

___ 006, 05/08 Ch. 14, 15, & 16. (49 Verses)

___ 007, 05/15 Ch. 17, & 18. (42 Verses)

___ 008, 05/22 Ch. 19, & 20. (40 Verses)

___ 009, 05/29 Ch. 21, & 22. (48 Verses)

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