This Week's Scripture: Revelation 2:8-11 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 and Revelation 20:11-15
Crossroads Community Group Guide
A. Welcome: Welcome everyone, especially new people, and read aloud the purpose of your group.
B. Purpose: Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.
C. Worship Time (Optional): Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use: I I Give You My Heart (or pick your own YouTube video that shows the lyrics.)
E. Upcoming Events: Crossroads Website
F. Review:
- How did you do with what you want to apply from last week?
- Who did you invite to the group for this week?
G. Opening Question (an icebreaker - a simple question to introduce the main theme):
- Why does it seem like many people who do not even do very well in their life are blessed financially and with health and in other ways?
H. Background Information for this study:
The book of Revelation was written by John. He was a disciple of Jesus and walked and lived with Jesus for 3 years. He saw Jesus crucified and saw Jesus after he ressurected and also when Jesus ascended back to heaven. Now John is an older man and he has been persecuted and put on the Island of Patmos which was a prision Island. He receives a vision of Jesus and writes them down in the book we know as the book of Revelation.
In chapter 2 Jesus sends letters to 7 different churches. The second letter is to the church at the City of Smyrna. This letter is to the people who are part of the that church. They are doing everything right but they are being persecuted and suffering.
First Section: Revelation 2:8-9 and 2 Corinthians 4:16-18. Jesus sees their suffering and their poverty. Jesus says Yet you are rich. Jesus is giving them an eternal perspective.
Second Section: Revelation 2:10 - Our focus in life since we are followers of Jesus is on our eternal riches in Jesus. Eternal salvation. We focus on true riches not on earthly riches which pass away.
Third Section: Revelation 2:11 and Revelation 20:11-15. We surrender to our current circumatance and we have victory in all circumstances. We will not taste the second death - read Revelation 20:11-15.
In this study be sure to make a practical application to each section. Make application to your life including what you will do to tell other people the message.
J. Word: Read the scriptures above by section. Read it in smaller portions aloud together several times. (The goal is for everyone to understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words; keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses.)
1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.3. What are the details?4. What jumps out at you and catches your attention?5. What details can you add to what others in the group have said?
K. Discuss the following general questions together. (The goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. The leader should not speak for more than 30% of the time; let the group discover what God is saying to them.)
1. What catches your attention in these verses?2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story?4. What do you learn about people from the story?5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?
L. Commitment - Obedience - Application
(This is the key - have everyone answer this question.)
- What specifically will you commit to apply in your life from this study?
- Pray for your group to multiply.
- Ask each other how you are doing spiritually.
- Pray for the needs of the members of your group
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