The Dead Church | Revelation 3:1-6

In late Spring 2025, Coastline began a seven-week journey through the Seven Letters to the Seven Churches in Revelation.When most people think of Revelation, they picture beasts, dragons, strange numbers, and the antichrist. But before all of that, the book opens with something deeply personal: Jesus speaking directly to His Church. This series has been a powerful experience for our congregation—challenging, encouraging, and deeply relevant. As we studied each letter, we created small group questions to help people dive deeper, reflect honestly, and grow spiritually. I’m sharing those questions here so that others can benefit from them too—whether you’re leading a small group, studying on your own, or walking through Revelation with your church.

Small Group | The Dead Church | Revelation 3:1-6

Today we continue our seven-week series through the letters to the churches in Revelation. These were real churches, just like ours, trying to follow Jesus in difficult and distracting times. This week we looked at the letter to the church in Sardis—a church that, on the outside, looked alive, but Jesus saw the truth: “You are dead.” Sardis receives no praise, only a piercing rebuke, making this one of the strongest warnings in Revelation 2–3. Yet even here, we find a call to hope: Wake up, repent, and return to life. As we discuss this passage together, let’s invite God to examine our hearts, awaken our spirits, and rekindle a passion for His mission in us and through us.

1) We can all fall into spiritual ruts—settling into rhythms that serve our comfort more than Christ's mission. After reflecting on this week’s message, where do you sense you may have grown complacent in your faith?

2) Read Revelation 3:1a. Jesus is actively involved in His Church—He holds it in His hand. Share a time when you saw Jesus working powerfully in our church and were reminded of His presence. 

3) Jesus mentions the Spirit in His message to Sardis. If the Holy Spirit were active and alive in a church, what signs would you expect to see in the lives of the believers and the church there in Sardis? (See Galatians 5:22–26)

4) Read Revelation 3:1b–3. Jesus tells the church to strengthen what remains. As a group, discuss the differences between a living church and a dead church. What stands out to you about the marks of a living church?

5) Read Revelation 3:3. Jesus calls us to remember what we’ve received and heard. How are you currently connecting with God through His Word? Where are you reading in your Bible right now?

6) Read Revelation 3:4–6. Even in Sardis, there were still faithful followers—there was still hope for the church to have an impact. What are some ways you would encourage our church to keep helping people find and follow Jesus?

7) Jesus promises that those who overcome will have their names written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Read Philippians 4:3, Hebrews 12:23, Revelation 20:12, 15, and Revelation 21:27. What do these passages reveal about the Book of Life and its significance?

Close in prayer, asking God to rekindle your love for Him this week. Pray Psalm 139:23-24 as a group.