HOT OR COLD?
Revelation 3:14-22
OPEN IT: What food or drinks do you like served lukewarm?
DIG INTO IT:
- Read Revelation 3:14 and answer the following questions:
- “To the angel of the church in Laodicea write: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the ruler of God’s creation.
a) What three titles does Jesus use for Himself?
b) Which of these three titles stands out the most to you and why?
- Read Revelation 3:15-17 and answer the following questions:
- I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
- So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.
- You say, ‘I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.’ But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.
a) What does “hot and cold” refer to in this text?
b) Why is Jesus so upset about the Laodicean’s lukewarm attitude? What effect could it have?
c) How were the Laodiceans deceived? Who caused the deception?
- Read Revelation 3:18-22 and answer the following questions:
- I counsel you to buy from me gold refined in the fire, so you can become rich; and white clothes to wear, so you can cover your shameful nakedness; and salve to put on your eyes, so you can see.
- Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline. So be earnest and repent.
- Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me.
- To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne.
- Whoever has ears, let them hear what the Spirit says to the churches.”
a) What exactly are the riches that Jesus is offering to the church?
b) When Jesus disciplines us, what does it teach us about how He feels toward us?
c) Why would Jesus offer the Laodiceans the opportunity to turn back to Him after all they had done?
d) How can a person be “victorious” in God’s eyes? Is it something we do, something we believe, or both?
REFLECT ON IT:
- If Jesus addressed our church like He did the Laodicean church, how would you react?
- Would you describe your relationship with Christ as “hot,” “cold,” or “lukewarm”? Why?
- If you could give advice to a person who is “lukewarm” what would it be?
- In what areas of your life have riches kept you from experiencing the fullness of a relationship with Christ?
- How does it make you feel to know that Jesus knows “all the things you do” (v. 15)?
- How can we pray for you today?
PRAY ABOUT IT: “Learn to worship God as the God who does wonders, who wishes to prove in you that He can do something supernatural and divine.” ~ Andrew Murray
Davis, Barry L.. Instant Bible Studies for Small Groups (pp. 40-42). GodSpeed Publishing. Kindle Edition.