October 6, 2024

The Church of Ephesus – Revelation 2:1-7

Ice Breaker

1. There is a tendency for most of us to lose the initial enthusiasm and excitement we had when we first came to know Christ. If we have lost our first love, what steps can we take to renew our commitment to Jesus? Discuss your answers as a group.

Loving God unreservedly

2. What is implied by his ‘holding’ the stars (vs. 1)? What is the difference between having and holding the seven stars in his right hand?
3. What is implied by his ‘walking in the midst of the lampstands’ (vs. 1)? Since he walks among them, how does this speak to God’s vigilance of his churches?

Loving people sacrificially

4. Why would forsaking “your first love” (v. 4) be so tragic for this church?
5. Why do you think Christ’s judgment would be so severe if they did not repent (v. 5)?
6. Who were the evil/evil people that were not tolerated (Acts 20:29)? How about the Nicolaitans (2:6)?
7. How has confrontation been handled well or poorly by others? What were the long-term results? How about when we are confronted with truth in love? How does that make us feel (vs. 5)? What was the result? Ask God for a teachable spirit.

Making disciples purposefully

8. The Great Commandment (Mark 12:29-31) and Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20) help us to express our vertical love to God and horizontal love for others. Our world is full of people suffering (broken marriages, lack of trust in the institutions, political divisiveness, depression, etc.). How do we engage the brokenness of society? What does Remember the first works in and out of the church (vs. 5) mean?

Dig deeper (optional/personal study)

9. Research: Does the God speak to the churches (pl.) today (vs. 7)?
   • Through his word (Ps. 119).
   • The gospel of Jesus Christ (Heb. 1:1-3) and its proclamation (Romans 1:16-17; Acts 4:8-12; Romans 10:14-17).
   • The Scriptures were spoken by the Spirit of God (2 Peter 1:16-21). How does the Spirit illuminate the believer to understand God’s word (Proverbs 2:1-5; Psalm 119:11; Ephesians 3:16-19; Revelation 15:4)?
   • What does born of the Spirit mean (John 3:38)? Made us alive in Christ (Eph. 2:5)?
   • How does the Holy Spirit help us in growing in Christian character (Galatians 5:22-23; Colossians 3:12-16; Ephesians 4:2-3, 32; James 3:17; 2 Peter 1:5-7)?