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 Questions | The Loveless Church | Revelation 2:1-7
Today we begin a brand-new sermon series through the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. The book of Revelation was written by the Apostle John while he was on the Island of Patmos. Most scholars think the letter was written about 95-96AD. The letter was written to real churches in Modern Day Turkey. Most people think of Revelation as: beasts, dragons, and the antichrist. That comes later, but first Jesus wants to address His church. Each church finds an encouragement, a rebuke, and a promise. Study these questions and look at what Jesus spoke to the church in Ephesus about their spiritual formation.
1) In the beginning of the sermon Neal talked about being afraid to read the book of Revelation and that it took him years to finally read it. What three words would you use to describe how you feel (have felt) about the book of Revelation?
2) Read Revelation 2:1-3. We read that Jesus saw the hard work and serving nature of the church. Read Matthew 5:16, Acts 2:42-47, and Galatians 5:13. What do these verse teach us about the heart behind serving others? How can we live this out?
3) The church in Ephesus was encouraged for persevering in their faith. Read Hebrews 11:36-40. What does it look like for us, in the church in America, to persevere in our faith this week, month, and year?
4) Next, Jesus moves to a rebuke for the church (read Revelation 2:4). What does it mean to lose our love for Christ? How can we recognize that drift early—and what helps us return to the “wild love” of God?
5) Read Revelation 2:5-6. Jesus invites this church to consider how far they fell. As a group come up with a list of five to ten examples of people in the Bible who also fell from their faith. What, if anything, brought about their restoration?
6) The church is instructed to repent and do the things they did at first. Share with your group when you felt like your faith was the strongest and most passionate. What did that time look like and how do you return to that type of faith?
7) Read Revelation 2:7. The promise for the church in Ephesus is to hear the voice of the Spirit and eat from the tree of life. Read 1 Samuel 3:10, John 10:27, Romans 8:14, and Hebrews 3:7–8. What do these verses teach us about the power of hearing the voice of God in our daily life?
Close in prayer, asking God to rekindle your love for Him this week
