Group Discussion Guide
Revelation, Part 4
This guide is designed to help your group create a space for genuine connection and conversation within your discussion time. Don't feel pressured to address every question each week. Instead, allow the Holy Spirit to guide you as you lead your group in uncovering what God intends to communicate during your time together.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
This guide comprises three sections: Loving, Learning, and Living. Each section aims to steer your conversation towards meaningful discussions about spiritual growth as individuals and as members of the body of Christ.
LOVING
First moments together as a group to connect and pray (approx. 10-15 min).
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
- How have you seen God at work in your life since the last time we met?
- What has been one high and one low since the last time we met?
- How did you do with living out what we talked about last time we met?
Open with prayer and invite God to be part of your conversation and relationship.
LEARNING
The majority of the group discussion is devoted to open dialogue, reflecting on God’s Word and its personal application to each of our lives (approx. 60-75 min).
Scripture References from Message: Revelation 12-13
Big Idea: Satan’s aim is to pull our allegiance to worldly and demonic powers rather than to the Lamb that was slain.
Scripture References from Message: Revelation 12-13
Big Idea: Satan’s aim is to pull our allegiance to worldly and demonic powers rather than to the Lamb that was slain.
Read Revelation 12 as a group. This chapter (and 13) falls within the second of three intensifying cycles of seven activities of judgement (seals, trumpets, and bowls) poured out on those who stand in opposition to him and his people. Why do you think this is an important detail to notice? Hint: it is the “lamb who was slain” who initiates the first cycle of God’s judgement by opening the first of the seven seals in chapter 6.
In Scripture, “signs” point to realities beyond themselves. How does the “sign” of the woman in labor point toward the reality of God’s activity within and for his good creation, including humanity?
Verses 10 & 11 tell us that our enemy is the “accuser,” and that those who overcome the accuser do so “by the blood of the lamb.” What does this tell you about the work of the Evil One against followers of Jesus and how we are to respond to this opposition?
Read Revelation 13 as a group. The Dragon and the two Beasts represent a very “unholy trinity.” How are these three set in opposition to the One who sits on the throne, Jesus the Faithful witness, and the fulls of the Spirit in Revelation?
The two Beasts are given power by the Dragon, but that power is portrayed as a distorted version of the power ascribed by John (and the hosts of heaven) only to the One who was, and is, and is to come and the Lamb who was slain. What does this tell us about the reality of the spiritual battle experienced by the first audience of John’s letter and the (same) one we are part of today?
Read Psalm 113 and re-read Revelation 13:1-10. What similarities do you notice between these passages? Hint: Look especially at Revelation 13:4 and Psalm 113:4-6.
In Scripture, “signs” point to realities beyond themselves. How does the “sign” of the woman in labor point toward the reality of God’s activity within and for his good creation, including humanity?
Verses 10 & 11 tell us that our enemy is the “accuser,” and that those who overcome the accuser do so “by the blood of the lamb.” What does this tell you about the work of the Evil One against followers of Jesus and how we are to respond to this opposition?
Read Revelation 13 as a group. The Dragon and the two Beasts represent a very “unholy trinity.” How are these three set in opposition to the One who sits on the throne, Jesus the Faithful witness, and the fulls of the Spirit in Revelation?
The two Beasts are given power by the Dragon, but that power is portrayed as a distorted version of the power ascribed by John (and the hosts of heaven) only to the One who was, and is, and is to come and the Lamb who was slain. What does this tell us about the reality of the spiritual battle experienced by the first audience of John’s letter and the (same) one we are part of today?
Read Psalm 113 and re-read Revelation 13:1-10. What similarities do you notice between these passages? Hint: Look especially at Revelation 13:4 and Psalm 113:4-6.
LIVING
The challenge for the week ahead is to grow in our faith and lovingly hold each other accountable through the community.
This week, think about the spiritual battle that we are engaged in as followers of Jesus. We are opposed to an already judged and defeated foe, but a foe that can exercise active opposition against us, both through spiritual influence and through human actors who have given their allegiance to the distorted “power” of the Accuser. Is there a place in your life where you are feeling spiritual opposition? If so, spend time this week offering it to God in prayer. You may want to talk to one of the Campus Pastors about it and let them pray with and for you. When we face spiritual opposition, it is also a good time to enter into a season of fasting, Scripture study, and accountability with others. Are there people around you, those who have conquered “by the blood of the lamb” who can stand with you against the schemes of this already defeated foe?
This week, think about the spiritual battle that we are engaged in as followers of Jesus. We are opposed to an already judged and defeated foe, but a foe that can exercise active opposition against us, both through spiritual influence and through human actors who have given their allegiance to the distorted “power” of the Accuser. Is there a place in your life where you are feeling spiritual opposition? If so, spend time this week offering it to God in prayer. You may want to talk to one of the Campus Pastors about it and let them pray with and for you. When we face spiritual opposition, it is also a good time to enter into a season of fasting, Scripture study, and accountability with others. Are there people around you, those who have conquered “by the blood of the lamb” who can stand with you against the schemes of this already defeated foe?