Revelation #9 – Study Questions

Kyle Bartholic   -   April 20, 2023

Revelation CGS – Week 9

A message to Laodicea – Discipline is loving.

Revelation 3:14-22

 

INTRODUCTION:  This week, we wrap up the second section of the book of Revelation, the seven messages to the seven churches. When we started this section, we were reminded that these were real churches that faced real pressures. Laodicea, by all accounts a very prosperous city in John’s day, was noteworthy on a number of counts. It was a banking center, which is obviously related to its general wealth. Laodicea also was a producer of black wool clothing and carpets. The city was the location of a famous medical school and the producer of a powder substance used to treat ailments of the eye. The city’s water supply originated from hot springs six miles away at Denizli. In the process of traveling through the aqueduct to Laodicea, the water became tepid—neither hot nor cold. Allusions to these local distinctives may be detected in Christ’s choice of words used to address the church of the Laodiceans (v. 14). The state of the church in Laodicea was one of self-satisfaction and complacency. Apparently, the Christians, like the city itself, enjoyed a high degree of comfort and prosperity—a factor that led to a diminished zeal for the things of God. The letter to the Laodiceans shares with Sardis the unhappy distinction of lacking any commendation from the Lord.[1]

Unfortunately, their wealthy position had led them to live in a place of spiritual complacency. We hear in v. 17, “For you say, I am rich, I have prospered, and I need nothing, not realizing that you are wretched, pitiable, poor, blind, and naked.” If Jesus was to just abandon them to their complacent and prideful position, that would have been incredibly cruel. Instead, he does what is loving, reaches out to them, calls them out of their sin, and calls them up to righteousness. This is one step in Godly discipline. If they don’t respond, he will send judgments on them, not merely for their punishment, but to shake them out of their complacency. For now, though, he gives them a clear message and relevant image to illustrate their condition (lukewarm water). His message can feel harsh, but so can discipline. Yet, we all know that discipline is needed in our lives. To not have it is just as cruel as having unhealthy discipline. But God loves us, and because he loves us, he disciplines us. In this passage, we are reminded that healthy discipline is a marker of love.  

 

 

 

 

GETTING STARTED – As you begin your group time, share a story about a time that you experienced discipline and it really helped you. Specifically, what was the discipline and how did it help you?

 

 

IN THE WORD –   Let’s dig back into the passage. It is important to strengthen our muscles in reading God’s Word. On Sunday, we walked through the passage in the sermon. Hopefully, that helped you to see the landmarks of the passage with fresh eyes. Now, with your group, go back through it and see what God is saying to you specifically.

First, before you read the passage, take a moment to ask God’s Spirit to quiet your mind and heart and to illuminate the text to you. Second, read the passage aloud to the group. Then, follow the simple method below. (O.P.A)

 

Observe: Make 8-10 observations from the passage. Pay close attention to observe and note repeated words and phrases, names, places, and themes.

 

 

Principles: From your list of observations, what patterns or big ideas do you see emerging? Can you distill it down into 2-4 big idea truths?

 

 

 

Apply: Moving from your list of principles, it is time to apply God’s Word. Remember, we believe that God’s Word is living and active and that it can change the way we live Monday- Friday. What is one tangible way to apply a truth from your list above?

 

 

 

 

 

Note: Revelation can be a tough book. Here are some questions that might help with discussion.

  1. As we conclude this section on the seven churches, share what stood out to you from each church. Was there one that particularly spoke to you? Or, a poignant lesson learned from their experience?
  2. We talked about three ways God disciplines us: 1. God calls us out on our sins. 2. He allows us to deal with the consequences of our sins. 3. Allows us to experience appropriate guilt.
    1. Which of those three is the easiest for you to experience? Which one is the most stretching?
    2. How has God’s discipline helped you in your spiritual life?
    3. Which of these three ways of discipline do you need to grow in?
  3. Guilt and shame are often seen as the same thing, but they are not. Shame forces us to hide and ultimately not deal with our sin and brokenness. Appropriate guilt allows us the space to sit with our actions, understand them, and understand how they negatively impacted others. How can you practice appropriate guilt, and how does God help us with that?
  4. The church in Laodicea regarded their physical resources as merely for their own good and from their own efforts. In contrast, Jesus says that their position is actually one of poverty. How does their example cause you to think about your own resources (time, talents, and treasure)?
  5. If you were the pastor of the church of Laodicea, what specific steps would you encourage them to take to walk in righteousness?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] Steve Gregg, Revelation, Four Views: A Parallel Commentary (Nashville, TN: T. Nelson Publishers, 1997), 78.