CONNECT
If new people have joined your group, take time to introduce yourselves to each other. Here are some questions to get the conversation rolling:
1. When you think of Jesus, what picture usually comes to mind?
2. Describe a time when something in the future shaped how you felt in the present.

PRAY TOGETHER
Take a couple of minutes to release the distractions of the day and focus your attention toward God. Breathe in and out a few times. Relax your neck and take time to let your muscles release any tension you might be feeling.

Then spend a few minutes asking God to meet each of you personally, right where you are. Pray that He would show you new and beautiful things and lead you further along your journey of faith. Allow time for everyone to pray as God leads.

STUDY AND DISCUSSION
◾It’s OK if you don’t make it through all the questions. That’s not the point. Let the Holy Spirit guide your reflection and discussion. Spend time reading and really thinking about what the Bible is saying.

◾If your group has eight or more people, it might be helpful to break into circles of four or five for greater participation and deeper discussion. When you come back together, invite each group to share a few takeaways from their conversation.

Insight: The isle of Patmos was a small arc-shaped Greek island used by Rome as a place of exile. John was banished there because of his faithful public testimony of Christ. Patmos was meant to silence John, but instead it became the place God revealed the glory of Christ and the final victory of His kingdom.

1. How can you relate to John in terms of suffering, following Jesus or in learning to patiently endure?

2. When has following Jesus cost you something?

3. How does knowing Jesus help you endure suffering?

God’s promises are like stars; the darker the night, the brighter they shine.
Charles Spurgeon

4. How does Exodus 19:16-19 help you understand the loud voice like a trumpet?

5. Jesus’ eyes are described like blazing fire. What might that say about how He sees us, our churches and the world?

6. What comes to mind when you think of Jesus’ feet like bronze glowing in a furnace? What might that represent?

7. What does the sharp, double-edged sword signify? (Consider Isaiah 49:1-3; Hebrews 4:12-13.)

8. Where do you need to let the words of Jesus cut through confusion, excuses or fear in your life?

9. What do you feel when you picture Jesus’ face shining like the sun in all its brilliance?

10. What does it mean that Jesus is the First and the Last, and how might that be helpful for someone living in fear (verse 17)?

11. What do the stars and lampstands represent, and why does it matter that Jesus holds and walks among them?

12. How does your life change knowing Christ is not only risen, but also reigning right now?

13. How does this passage invite you to worship Jesus differently?

14. Where does this passage make Jesus feel nearer than you expected?

15. What does this passage awaken in you: hope, comfort, conviction, courage, awe or something else?

16. Take a few minutes to look back over the passage, as well as your responses to the previous questions. Which image of Jesus do you most need to hold onto right now?

PERSONAL APPLICATION
Pause and ask God what He wants to say to you. Allow time for Him to speak, being sensitive to thoughts that come to mind. Growing often comes by simply making yourself available to God. Share with the group what you sense God is saying to you.

SCRIPTURE MEMORY
Memorizing Scripture enables us to carry within us the life-giving, life-shaping words of God at all times in all places. Here’s a verse to memorize based on this week’s teaching:

… and among the lampstands was someone like a son of man, dressed in a robe reaching down to his feet and with a golden sash around his chest.
Revelation 1:13 (NIV)

PRAY
Invite someone to close your time in prayer.

App and the Daily Devotional
Spend time with God with the Daily Devotionals available on the App. You can also find Sunday Message resources and videos, leave prayer requests, give and more.

Why Jesus?
If you’ve never experienced God’s forgiveness and grace, we’d love the opportunity to talk with you about a life-changing relationship with Jesus. Email thepastors@brookwoodchurch.org or call 864.688.8200.

Additional Study Tools
For additional Bible Study tools, guides and devotionals, check out bible.com, youversion.com, biblegateway.com and blueletterbible.org.