Smyrna

Revelation 2:8-11

We like to think that life works out good for good people. You make good decisions, and you get good outcomes. You make bad decisions, and you experience suffering. But what happens when you’re trying to follow God and still experience suffering? If God is good, how can He allow His people to suffer? In the book of Revelation, we read about a church that was rich spiritually, yet suffering physically. Like the church of Smyrna, our suffering isn’t evidence of God’s absence but an opportunity to experience His presence.

1. Read Psalm 73:1-14 — Have you ever said or felt that life isn’t fair when you made all the right choices but still got bad results?

2. Read Psalm 73:15-28 — Which verses or principles do you think would have bolstered the Christians of Smyrna?

       a. Why?

3. Have you ever had to stand with God against friends or family? Would you share the experience with the group?

       a. Do you relate to the Christians in Smyrna?

4. Read Matthew 10:21-31; 1 Peter 2:20-23; 1 Peter 3:13-18; 1 Peter 4:12-19 — What can we learn from Jesus’ suffering example?

5. Read Ephesians 1:18-23 — What hope did the church of Smyrna have?

6. “Jesus flips the script.” Read 1 Samuel 16:5-13; Matthew 6:19-20; Ephesians 2:4-7 — How was the script flipped in these instances?

7. Without being patronizing, what can you do to support someone who is suffering?

       a. What if you have never experienced what they’re experiencing?

8. Read 1 Peter 1:6-8; 1 Peter 4:1-2— Is the reward worth the pain of suffering?

9. Have you counted the cost? What may happen to you if this country turns against Christians the way the Roman empire did?

10. Read Hebrews 5:7-9 — What is preventing you from experiencing God’s presence in your life?