February 28, 2015

Read: Revelation 2:1-3:13

Identify one positive and negative assessment Jesus gave to each church (except Smyrna and Philadelphia).

What particular church do you personally identify with?  List the positive and negative that applies to you.

What specific steps do you need to review from the previous churches?  Pray and commit it to Jesus today!

February 27, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:10-13, 2:10, Matthew 10:22, 24:12-13, 2 Timothy 4:7-8, James 1:12, 2 John 7-9

How did Jesus encourage the Philadelphia church to handle trials?  How did endurance confirm their faith?

How can an imbalanced view of grace actually promote disobedience?  Give an example.

How is God challenging your view?  In what way do you need to stop taking God’s grace for granted?

February 26, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:10-13, John 14:1-4, 1 Cor. 15:19-21, 51-54, 1 Thess. 4:13-18, 2 Peter 3:3-9

How did Jesus encourage the Philadelphia church to have an eternal perspective?  Be specific.

How often do you think about Jesus in this way?  Why?  How can this protect you spiritually?

In what way will this change your perspective on work, family, friends, etc.?  Ask God to help you today.

February 25, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:7-9, 2 Corinthians 12:7-10, 2 Thessalonians 3:1-5, Hebrews 12:2-4

How did Jesus describe the Philadelphia church in Rev. 3:8?  How would this be counter-cultural today?

Why is this important to remember when struggling?  What is at stake if you forget?

Describe a current challenge you are facing.  Specifically, how can you apply today’s devotional truth?

February 24, 2015

Read:  Revelation 3:7-9, 2:8-11, Isaiah 22:20-25, Acts 14:21-28, 1 Cor. 10:13, 2 Cor. 2:12-14

How were both the church at Philadelphia and Smyrna being challenged?  What were the implications?

In what way was Revelation 3:9 an encouragement?  How might they have been tempted to view their situation?

How can you be tempted this way?  Give an example.  How can you adopt a Philadelphia perspective?

February 23, 2015

Read:  Revelation 3:7-9, Psalm 71:22, Mark 1:23-28, Revelation 19:1-2, 22:16

What does “holy and true” and “key of David” highlight about Jesus?  Be specific.

Why was this important for the church of Philadelphia?  How can this get lost in today’s Christianity?

How often do you view Jesus in this light?  Why?  How does Revelation 3:7 encourage you?  Be specific.

February 21, 2015

Read:  Rev. 3:4-6, 6:9-11, 7:9-14, 19:7-8, 13:8, 20:12-15, 21:27, Ex. 32:32, Ps. 69:28, Phil. 4:3

What was being implied by a discussion about white and soiled clothes?  (i.e. now and eternally)

What was being implied by a discussion about the book of life?  (i.e. written in or blotted out)

How would this have motivated the Sardis church out of its decline?  How does it motivate you?

February 20, 2015

Read:   Revelation 3:3b, 16:13, Matthew 24:37-51, Luke 12:39-40, 1 Thess. 5:1-8, 2 Pet. 3:10-14

How did Jesus motivate the Sardis church to change?  (i.e. “coming as a thief”)  What was being implied?

How often do you think of seeing Jesus face-to-face?  How can this help prevent falling away from Him?

Describe how you would want your reunion with Jesus to look?  What steps can you take toward that end?

February 19, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:2-3a, John 15:1-11, James 2:19-26, 2 Peter 1:1-11

What instructions did Jesus give the Sardis church?  Why?  What was at stake?

Explain the difference between belief and obedience in the Christian life.  How can this get confused?

As you reflect on the Sardis church, how do you need to “wake up”?  How will you “strengthen” yourself?

February 18, 2015

Read:  Revelation 3:1, Galatians 5:16-25, Ephesians 4:29-5:2

How was the Sardis church deceiving itself?  How can Christians do the same today?

In what way can Christians function without the Holy Spirit?  What will always be the result?

How would you describe the Holy Spirit working in your life?  Be specific.  How can you be sure?

February 17, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:1, John 3:1-7, 2 Corinthians 5:16-19, Colossians 2:13-15

What must take place for someone to become a Christian?  How does this happen?  How does God confirm?

In what way have you experienced this truth?  Be specific.  How are you experiencing this truth now?

What is God teaching you about your spiritual health?  Pray and confess ways you’ve become like Sardis.

February 16, 2015

Read: Revelation 3:1, Acts 1:1-5, 12-14, 2:1-41

Why were the disciples waiting in the upper room?  What were they doing?  What happened?

How much of what took place did the disciples plan?  What does this imply about God working in the church?

How can churches today fall into a Sardis trap?  How can you do the same?  Ask God to show you?

February 14, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:26-28, Psalm 2:7-9, Daniel 12:1-4, Revelation 5:10, 20:6

How did Jesus encourage the church of Thyatira? (i.e., “authority over nations”, “morning star”, etc.)

How often do you think of heaven and eternity with Jesus? How can this help protect your walk with Him?

Pray and ask God to make you more eternally minded today. Journal your experience throughout the day.

February 13, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:24-25, Matthew 7:16-27, James 2:17-18, Ephesians 6:10-18

What did the church of Thyatira need to “hold on” to? What does this imply about putting forth effort?

Make a list of your daily responsibilities. Rate them according to effort (1 being least, 5 being most)

If you add your walk with Jesus to the list, where does it rank? How do you need to repent and “hold on”?

February 12, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:21-23, 22:12-13, Acts 5:1-11, 1 Corinthians 11:28-32, Eph. 5:25-27, 1 Pet. 4:17

What sober warning did God give the church of Thyatira? Be specific. How was God protecting them?

How do you feel today’s church has lost sight of this perspective about God? Why? Give an example. 

How does this challenge you? What is God teaching you about your perspective? Be specific.

February 11, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:19-20, Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:1-5, Hebrews 10:24

Why do you think the Christians in Thyatira tolerated sinful teaching and behavior? (i.e., motivation)

How had their greatest strength become their greatest weakness? How can you do the same thing?

In what way are you called to spiritually protect others? Who can you help today?

February 10, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:19-20, 2 Kings 9:1-10, Galatians 1:6-10, 2 Timothy 3:16-17

What was the primary problem Jesus had with the church of Thyatira? (Hint: “tolerate”)

How does this relate to God’s word and unchecked sin? How does this create a falling away from God?

How can you fall into a Thyatira trap? Be specific. What steps will you take to protect yourself?

February 9, 2015

Read:  Revelation 1:12-17, 2:18, 19:12, Daniel 10:4-6, Proverbs 3:7-8

What did the images of Jesus communicate to the church of Thyatira? (i.e., blazing fire, bronze feet)

How do you think the church today has lost this view of God? Why is a balanced view important?

How does this challenge your image of Jesus? Why? Take time to pray about this issue right now.

February 7, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:12-17, Romans 12:2, Titus 2:11-15, James 1:27

What adjustment process must all Christians begin to enter into? How does this relate to a “worldview”?

How do you currently form your opinions about money, success, business, marriage, sex, or entertainment?

How is God part of this process? What steps will you take this week to bridge the gap?

February 6, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:12-17, 1 John 1:8-9, James 4:4-10

What does it mean to repent of sin? How does this relate to becoming a Christian and living as a Christian?

What does this imply about repentance as a regular spiritual discipline? How often do you do this? Why?

What process must occur in order for repentance to take place? Take time and enter that process now.

February 5, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:12-14, 2 Peter 2:10-22, James 2:16-24, Jude 10-11

How were people in the church living like non-Christians? How does this relate to pragmatic obedience?

What is the deception that tempts Christians into pragmatic obedience? Give an example.

How have you experienced this truth? What was the spiritual result? How are you currently at risk?

February 4, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:12-14, Numbers 24:10-25:9

What type of sin was occurring with the Israelites during the time of Balaam? How did God respond?

How did this relate to the church at Pergamum? How do you see this relating to the church today?

In what way can this type of duplicity be underestimated? How do you need to heed God’s warning?

February 3, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:8-13

In what way did both Smyrna and Pergamum have to suffer? How could they have avoided it?

How do you see this happening in today’s Christianity? What does this imply about a falling out with God?

In what way is God speaking to you? What practical steps can you take to draw close to the Lord?

February 2, 2015

Read:  Revelation 2:12, Ephesians 6:17, Hebrews 4:12, Revelation 19:15

What does a double-edged sword represent?  Why did Jesus describe Himself this way?

How does this compare to Ephesians 2:1, 8?  What does this imply about the sin occurring in Pergamum?

How does this challenge your view of the love of Jesus?  Why is this balance important?  Be specific.