Outline
1. Read James 4:1-8 first.
2.  Read the description of your Church and then plan what you think should happen.
3.  Come together as a group and discuss your answers and work out a standard as a group.
4.  Discuss whether you think you argued in a godly manner.
5.  Prayer for Christians who face persecution today and for our own holiness in daily living.
 

The Church at Ephesus (Rev.2:1-7)
-  Hard Working with persistence
-  Cannot tolerate wicked men.
-  Test all teaching and teachers
-  Hate immorality
-  However have lost their first love for Christ.
-   During the persecution 40% of congregation martyred
-  See Hebrews 11:36-40 for an idea of the persecution.
-  Luke 12:22-26 Encouragement
-  Luke 12:49-53 Cost of being a Christian.
-   1 Cor. 13 Christian Love
-  Mt. 18:15-20 Christian Disciple

The Church of Smyrna (Rev. 2:8-11)
-  Poor and persecuted by local Jews.
-  Very discouraged
-  During the persecution 40% of the congregation lost jobs due to Jewish employers.
- Many local shop keepers could not sell to Church members.
-  You regularly face charges with a wide range of crimes
-  See Acts 16:16-24 for example of the type of persecution
-  Acts 16:25-31, Mark 10:28-31 and Romans 8:37-39 for encouragement.

The Church of Pergamum (Rev. 2:12-17)
-  During the persecution most members of the congregation did stand up for being Christians
-  However, many members are immoral and practice idolatry.
-  See Matthew 18:21-35 for encouragement.
-  See 1 John 1:19-25 for forgiveness.

The Church of Sardis (Rev. 3:1-6)
-  Your Church faced no persecution and is very trendy and unspiritual.
-  The following Bible fragments were found by your Church and you feel they describe your  congregation
-  James 1:19-25 False spirituality
-  Faith versus deeds 2 Timothy 3:1-9.

The Church of Philadelphia (Rev. 3:7-13)
-  Your Church held up under persecution by Jews even though your congregation has very little worldly strength.
-  You are very forgiving.
-  40% of your Church was Martyred
-  30% lost their jobs due to being Christians.
-  Most members became vegetarians as it was almost impossible to buy meat not offered to idols.
-  Your Church received great encouragement from the letters and life of Peter.
-  Mark 14:27-31; 66-77
-  John 21:15-19
-  1 Peter 1:13-23
-  Romans 15:1-4

The Church of Laodicea (Rev.3:14ff)
-  Very wishy, washy and wealthy in all areas of life but spiritually.
-  Persecution had no effect as there is nothing to persecution.
-  These verses were given to you by a travelling preacher recently.
-  Luke 12:13-21; 14:25-35; 18:18-30
-  Hebrews 5:11-14