The Lukewarm Church | Revelation 3:14-22

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 Lukewarm Church | Revelation 3:14-22

This week, we close out our study on the seven churches of Revelation by looking at Laodicea, a church that receives no encouragement from Jesus. Instead, He lovingly confronts them for being lukewarm in their faith. This church thought they had it all: wealth, status, resources, and healing. But Jesus reveals that they were actually poor, blind, and in desperate need of Him. This rebuke helps us see how easy it is to fall into a similar pattern of self-reliance, comfort, and spiritual complacency. Jesus isn’t looking for half-hearted faith. He stands at the door and knocks, inviting us into a deeper relationship with Him—a faith that is refined, restored, and fully alive.

1) The sermon started with an illustration of Indianan Jones taking a step of faith; he had all the information he needed to make an educated decision. Share about a time you took a step of faith and what the results were. 

2) Read Revelation 3:14-16. Jesus is: the Amen, the faithful and true witness, and the ruler of God’s Kingdom. Each week we’ve learned more about the character and nature of Jesus. What do these descriptions of Jesus teach us? 

3) The Bible describes people in three different ways. Read Luke 24:32 and Matthew 24:12, Revelation 3:16. Lukewarm faith isn’t faith at all. What does lukewarm faith look like today? How is it different from being cold or on fire for God?

4) Read Revelation 3:17-18. The Laodiceans were materially rich but spiritually poor. In what ways do you see the temptation of self-reliance in your own life? Where are you tempted to say, “I don’t need anything”?

5) Jesus invites the church to “buy gold refined by fire.” Read: 1 Peter 1:6–7 and Hebrews 12:7-11 What does it mean to be spiritually refined by Jesus? Share a time when God used a challenge or correction to grow/shape your faith. 

6) Read Revelation 3:19-20. Why do you think Jesus used this image of Him knocking at the door & patiently waiting to be invited in to share a meal with you? What would it look like to take Neal’s invitation to schedule a meal with Jesus this week? 

7) Read Revelation 3:21-22, Psalm 46:10, and James 1:22. The passage ends with a description of the person is victorious by trusting Jesus, applying His word, and listening to His voice. What hinders you from applying God's word in your life?  

Close in prayer asking Jesus to make us a faithful church to the end. 

The Faithful Church | Revelation 3:7-13

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 Faithful Church | Revelation 3:7-13

This week we continue our series through the seven letters to the seven churches in Revelation. This week we look at the church in Philadelphia. This is one of the two churches to not receive a rebuke for their actions. Jesus only has an encouragement and promise for this church. The church in Philadelphia was small and experiencing persecution for their faith. They were a faithful church who lived out both the Greatest Commandment and the Great Commission; they were living on mission in their area for the Gospel. Study these questions to learn more about the church in Philadelphia and reflect together on what Jesus is saying to us today.

1) We don’t often make headlines for the thousands of faithful choices we make each day; only for the ones that go wrong. What does faithfulness to the Lord look like in the everyday life of a healthy Christian? Share a few examples from your own walk.

2) Read Revelation 3:7-8. These verses give us three descriptions of Jesus: holy, true, and holding the keys. Take some time to talk about the importance of each description and how they help us grow in our walk with Jesus. 

3) Revelation 3:8 focuses on Jesus’ ability to open and close doors. Read Isaiah 22:22. 1 Corinthians 16:9, Colossians 4:3, and Psalm 37:23–24. What do these verses teach us about looking for opportunities in the doors Jesus opens and closes? 

4) Read Revelation 3:9-10. Jesus speaks of His power to protect His people. The Church in Philadelphia was facing trials. Can you share a time when Jesus strengthened you during a trial and what made His encouragement meaningful?

5) The church in Philadelphia was a faithful church in an unfaithful world. Read: Acts 2:42–47, Acts 6:3–4, Acts 8:1–4, and 1 Peter 2:9-10. Which qualities of a faithful church stood out to you the most? How can we reflect these in our church today?

6) Read Revelation 3:11-13. In a world that can feel like it’s trying to drown us in pressure, temptation, and disappointment, Jesus tells the church in Philadelphia: “I am coming soon.” How does this encourage you today? 

7) Jesus tells the church to “Hold on!” Read Psalm 16:8, Proverbs 4:25-27, Romans 12:1-2, and Hebrews 12:1-3. Do you have a specific verse that helps anchor your faith in Jesus when discouragement sets in? Share it with the group. 

Close in prayer asking Jesus to make us a faithful church to the end.