The Church of Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11

Ice Breaker

1. Read Revelation 2:8-11. Smyrna was noted for emperor worship. Refusal to worship the emperor brought martyrdom to some Christians. What does Jesus know about the believers in Smyrna? Discuss your answers as a group.

Loving God unreservedly

2. What is the significance of Jesus’ description of himself in this way (vs. 8; cf. Is. 41:4; 44:6; 48:12; Rev. 1:8, 18)?
3. As a savior, is Jesus able to keep his promises (Rev. 1:17-18)?

Loving people sacrificially

4. Observe verse 9. Why were the believers at Smyrna poor? In what way were the believers in Smyrna rich?
5. What is significant about those who slandered the believers in Smyrna? What qualified them to be a synagogue of Satan (vs. 9)? How can the believers in the 21^st century avoid this type of error, especially on our commitment towards each other (Col. 3:15-17) while fostering a godly (Gal. 6:1-10)?
6. Observe the present tense word in the original language, fear not (vs. 10). Do you think it included ongoing persecution with worse things yet to happen?
7. How does courage and faithfulness help us affirm the genuineness of our Christian commitment (vs. 10)? Read what Jesus described to the disciples (Matt. 10:28) or Paul described to his young apprentice (2 Tim. 3:12). How about Jesus’ priestly prayer for his followers (Jn. 17:14-18)? How do our troubles encourage others to have courage and faithfulness (word and deed) to Christ?

Making disciples purposefully

8. All over the world, Christians face persecution, especially in Asia, Eastern Europe, and in the Muslim world. Salvation is by faith alone (Eph. 2:8-10). How does our faithfulness and courage in the gospel witness to unbelievers (1 Jn. 5:4-5)? How does this lead to future disciples?

Dig deeper (optional/personal study)

9. Research: Overcomers – this was addressed to those who would overcome persecution. Use a bible dictionary/website: The Martyrdom of Polycarp (A.D. 70-159) holds a special place in Christian literature as the first example of the literary genre, acts of Christian martyrs. Polycarp was martyred in Smyrna and tradition described him as a disciple of John.

• What does Revelation describe about overcomers (see Rev. 2:7, 11, 17, 26; 3:5, 12, 21) specifically to the seven churches?
• Jesus’ instructions to his followers (Jn. 16:33)?
• Paul to the believers in Rome (Rom. 12:21)?
• James to the saints in dispersion (Jas. 1:12)?
• John to the little children/believers (1 Jn. 5:4-5)?