Week 1: An Introduction to Revelation

Small Group Study Guide – Revelation 1:9-20

Duration: 40 minutes

1. Welcome & Opening Prayer (5 minutes)

  • Welcome participants and set the tone for deep engagement with Scripture.

  • Suggested prayer:

    “Lord, open our eyes to see You as You truly are, powerful, present, and victorious. Help us trust Your Word and apply it to our lives.”

2. Icebreaker / Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Prompt:

  • Have you ever had an experience where someone or something surprised you with unexpected authority or power?

  • How did it affect the way you responded?

Purpose: Helps participants relate personally to the awe-inspiring vision of Christ in Revelation.

3. Scripture Reading (5 minutes)

Read aloud together: Revelation 1:9-20

Key highlights for reflection:

  • John’s context: suffering, exile on Patmos, perseverance in faith (vv. 9-10).

  • Christ’s appearance: awe-inspiring imagery, symbolic of authority and victory (vv. 12-16).

  • Christ’s words: assurance, warnings, and mission for the church (vv. 17-20).

Optional: Have one participant read verses 9-11 (John’s context) and another read verses 12-20 (vision of Christ).

4. Discussion: Seeing Jesus in Revelation (10 minutes)

Key points from the sermon:

  1. Revelation is centered on Jesus as the risen, powerful Christ, not a meek teacher.

  2. The imagery communicates authority, comfort, and warning to the church.

  3. Christ’s presence assures believers that God is in control, even in suffering.

  4. Revelation calls believers to faithful endurance and mission.

Discussion Questions:

  • What strikes you most about John’s vision of Christ?

  • How do the descriptions of Christ (e.g., eyes like flames, feet like bronze, voice like a trumpet) shape your understanding of His power and authority?

  • Why do you think Revelation starts by emphasizing Christ’s presence and control before describing events or warnings?

  • How can recognizing Christ’s authority help us in times of personal or communal suffering?

5. Reflection & Personal Application (10 minutes)

Prompt:

  • John is encouraged to write to the seven churches. In what ways does Christ’s message speak to your life today?

  • Consider: Christ calls His church to endure, stay faithful, and proclaim the Gospel. How does this shape your personal priorities or daily decisions?

Activity:

  • Have participants silently reflect on one area where they need to trust Christ’s power and guidance more fully.

  • Optional: Share in pairs or with the group.

6. Practical Mission Focus (5 minutes)

  • Key reminder: Revelation is not about predicting the future but participating in God’s mission.

  • Discussion Prompt:

    • How can you embody the hope and authority of Christ in your relationships, workplace, or community this week?

    • What practical step can you take to share the Gospel or encourage someone in faith?

7. Closing Scripture & Prayer (5 minutes)

Scripture: Revelation 1:17-18

“Do not be afraid. I am the First and the Last. I am the Living One; I was dead, and now look, I am alive for ever and ever! And I hold the keys of death and Hades.”

Closing Prayer:

  • Thank God for Christ’s authority, presence, and victory.

  • Pray for courage, endurance, and faithfulness in living for Christ.

Optional Take-Home Challenge:

  • Read Revelation 2-3 (letters to the seven churches) before the next group meeting. Reflect on how Jesus’ encouragement and warnings apply to your personal life and the life of the church today.

Week 2:

Small Group Discussion Guide – The Seven Churches: Revelation 2:1-7 & 3:14-22

Duration: 40–45 minutes

Theme: The Lamb Wins – Staying Faithful and in Love with Jesus

1. Welcome & Opening (5 minutes)

Leader Notes:

  • Welcome everyone warmly.

  • Set the tone: “Today we’ll explore how Jesus speaks to His Church and to us, His followers today. We’ll see how He encourages, rebukes, and invites us into a closer relationship with Him.”

Suggested Prayer:

“Lord Jesus, open our hearts and minds today. Help us hear Your voice, see where we need Your love and guidance, and trust in Your victory. Come and teach us afresh, Amen.”

2. Icebreaker / Warm-Up (5 minutes)

Prompt:

  • Share a time when you felt like you were doing a lot for God but realized your heart wasn’t fully in it. How did that feel?

  • Or, if you feel comfortable, share a time you’ve felt spiritually “lukewarm” like Laodicea—comfortable in life, but distant from Jesus.

Purpose:

  • Helps participants personally connect with the challenges the seven churches faced.

3. Scripture Reading (5 minutes)

  • Read Revelation 2:1-7 (Ephesus) and Revelation 3:14-22 (Laodicea) aloud together.

  • Optional: Split the reading—one participant reads Ephesus, another Laodicea.

Leader Notes:

  • Highlight that Jesus sees both the good and the struggles of each church.

  • Point out His invitation: rebuke + restoration + promise of victory.

4. Discussion: Jesus’ Message to His Church (10 minutes)

Key Discussion Points:

  1. Jesus notices our strengths and weaknesses—nothing is hidden from Him.

  2. He rebukes out of love and invites repentance, restoration, and intimacy.

  3. The church can overcome trials, temptations, and spiritual dryness through love, obedience, and faithfulness.

Discussion Questions:

  • In what ways do you relate to Ephesus—working hard, doing good things, but maybe losing your first love?

  • In what ways do you relate to Laodicea—comfortable or self-sufficient, yet spiritually dry?

  • How does it feel knowing Jesus promises intimate relationship (“I stand at the door and knock”) even when we fail or grow lukewarm?

  • How can the promise that “the one who conquers will share in My victory” shape the way we live daily?

5. Reflection & Personal Application (10 minutes)

Activity:

  1. Silent Reflection (2–3 min): Write down one area where your love for Jesus might be “cooling” or where you’ve relied on comfort, status, or routine rather than Him.

  2. Pair Share (optional, 3–5 min): Share insights with a partner if comfortable.

  3. Group Reflection: Invite a few volunteers to share how they feel Jesus is calling them to respond.

Leader Notes:

  • Emphasize that responding to Jesus isn’t about guilt—it’s about restoration and intimacy.

  • Encourage participants to see spiritual growth as ongoing, not instant.

6. Living It Out / Mission Focus (5 minutes)

Discussion Prompts:

  • How can we practically show love and faithfulness to others like Jesus calls His church to?

  • In what ways can we support one another in staying faithful, loving, and obedient to Jesus in everyday life?

Leader Notes:

  • Highlight that overcoming isn’t about “fighting” others—it’s about reflecting Jesus’ love.

  • Encourage participants to identify one practical step they can take this week to live gospel-shaped lives.

7. Closing Scripture & Prayer (5 minutes)

Scripture: Revelation 3:20-21

“Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me. The one who conquers, I will grant to sit with me on my throne, as I also conquered and sat down with my Father on his throne.”

Suggested Prayer:

  • Renewal of Love: “Jesus, ignite fresh love for You in our hearts, beyond routine or duty.”

  • Spiritual Vision: “Help us see clearly where we’ve grown lukewarm, and give us the eyes to recognize Your guidance.”

  • Faithfulness and Courage: “Strengthen us to remain faithful, love others boldly, and trust in Your victory every day.”

Optional Take-Home Challenge:

  • Spend some time this week reflecting on your own love for Jesus. Ask Him to show you where your heart might need renewal.

  • Think of one small way you can act in love, faith, or service that reflects Christ’s victory in your daily life