Heart-to-Heart - 7 Churches of Revelation - Week 2
A follow-up discussion to the Sunday Sermon on January 18th, 2026
Opening Prayer:
Heavenly Father, by the power of your Holy Spirit, open my heart and mind to what you have to say in your word. Give me a spirit of humility that is willing and ready to experience transformation into the image of your son, Jesus Christ.
In His name I pray,
Amen!
Read the following passages:
Revelation 2:8-11
8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander[a] of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan. 10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life. 11 He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches. The one who conquers will not be hurt by the second death.’
James 1:2-4,12
2 Count it all joy, my brothers,[b] when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
John 16:33
33 I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Consider & Discuss:
Is your natural tendency to endure various sufferings of this life for the sake of Christ or to run from them? What are some strategies you tend to use to avoid these trials?
How does remembering the sacrifice and victory of Jesus allow us to take heart and remain steadfast under trials? What are some practical ways you can remember the victory of Jesus?
**please post your responses in the comment section below**
Exhortation:
An excerpt from Sunday’s sermon:
“We recognize that what we go through pales in comparison to what he went through for us. The only reason that our faithfulness leads to the crown of life that will be given to us is because he wore that crown of thorns that we might receive the crown of life.
We should have received the crown of death, but Jesus received that crown of death. And so as we are faithful, as we are not fearful, as we face adversity, as we face struggle, and as we face difficulty, we can have hope because of the one who wore that crown for us.
In the same way that The Spirit said to the church in Ephesus, he also says to the church in Smyrna and to us today: that anyone who has ears to hear, listen to what The Spirit says to the churches. Are you hearing? Are you facing adversity and difficulty? What about tomorrow or next week or next year or sometime when you will face it? Do you hear the words, “don't be afraid?” Do you hear the words, “I know, I see it?” Do you hear the words, “be faithful,” so that ultimately you can receive that crown of life?
The one who is faithful receives that crown of life. To those in Smyrna and to us today, that promise is given, and it's all rooted in the work of Jesus on the cross.”
Closing Prayer:
Heavenly Father, By the power of Your Holy Spirit, guide us into a life that does not run from suffering, but rather endures it patiently for the sake of Your kingdom and Your glory. Use our struggles for Your purposes and produce in us a steadfastness that is faithful even unto death.
In Jesus name we pray,
Amen!!