1 Prayer
2 Looking backwards and forwards
Five individuals and five issues, five churches and five issues
The spiritual state of the seven churches
3 Meet the church at Ephesus
Christ commends the church at Ephesus for their orthodoxy, but he condemns them for their lack of witness, and urges them to overcome this failure in order to inherit eternal life (Revelation 2.1-7)
4 Responding to the letter from the Risen Jesus
Think about the discipleship and leadership challenges now facing them
If you were part of the eldership or leadership team in Ephesus, what would you feel challenged to do, stop doing, and start doing?
As members of the congregation, what qualities will you be praying for in your own lives, and what will you be asking God to give to your leaders in this church, as they serve you by leading your response to Jesus?
Discussion
Listen as someone reads aloud A note from the pastor
Discussion
A letter for the pastor arrives
A few days later, the pastor receives a letter from some younger women in the church. They are concerned about a number of issues, and they have written to the pastor to suggest a different approach to responding well to the letter from Jesus. There are other issues for these young women, as they seek roles and responsibilities within the church, and opportunities for their voices to be heard. But this is their immediate concern.
Listen as someone reads aloud A note from some younger women
The situation facing the church members and church leaders is complicated
Discussion
Look around to see what’s happening in other churches
How will hearing the letters to the other six churches (Revelation 2-3) help both church members and church leaders as they pray for each other, and respond together to their letter from the Risen Jesus?
Questions or comments
How shall we encourage the church to pray?
Summary
For 7pm second sessions
ETC4420 (7pm) sessions
Direct link to session one slide each day