Small Group Notes for 23rd November 2025
N.B. Sermon can be heard via our website and YouTube channel and the Paper Service version is on our website.
Read and Reflect: Revelation 3:14-22
Questions:
As we reach the end of the letters, there is a lot to think about and reflect on. Select 2 or 3 (or more) questions most relevant for your group.
Read through Revelation 3 chapter 3 verses 1-14
Jesus introduced:
Similar to the earlier letters, the message to the church in Laodicea opens with an introduction to Jesus. Many of the descriptions of Jesus found in each letter were initially presented in chapter 1, each tailored to resonate with the intended audience. see Revelation 1 verses 12-18
- If Jesus wrote a letter to you, as a small group or as an individual:
- How would he introduce himself?
- How would you describe Jesus?
I know Your deeds:
For 6 out of the 7 churches, Jesus had words of encouragement. He knows us well, all our strengths and all our weaknesses.
- Considering our strengths, what words of encouragement can you each offer to one another?
- Take a moment now for each person to share something encouraging with another in the group.
The Laodiceans thought themselves rich and in need of nothing. Did this prosperous city draw the line when religion began interfering with their business?
- Where, in our culture, is there pressure to compromise, to set aside Christianity for the sake of what is considered ‘good business’ or how things have always been done?
Challenges/warnings/corrections
Throughout Revelation 2 and 3, we have seen 5 of the churches challenged:
Forsaken their first love (Ephesus); turned away from God and towards pagan teaching (Pergamum)
False teaching and immortality (Thyatira; Wake up – you are at danger of death (Sardis)
Being lukewarm, neither hot nor cold, blind to their need for God (Laodicea), see Rev 3:16-17
- What are some of the challenges we face today as The Church, our parish, small group or individuals? (pick one or two to answer)
Throughout the letters, Christ is calling his church to prepare. We see later in Revelation that there is much rejoicing: ‘For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready.’
- How is Christ calling us/you to prepare?
Hope
The promises from each of the different letters in Revelation 2 and 3:
The right to eat from the tree of life, eternal life, given a new name, to rule with him now and into the future, to be clothed in white, acknowledged by name before the father, a guarantee of belonging, God as his beloved children and a seat at the divine banquet and a place on the throne of heaven
Christ has nothing but condemnation for Laodicea, but still offers them hope and a promise of eternal life. For the Laodiceans then, as well as for us today this hope and promise is extended to all.
- Take some time before you move into prayer to reflect on the promises, and if appropriate to your group, a time to respond