NEXT STEP 2017
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XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “COME AND EAT” SERIES: THE CHRISTMAS TABLE PASSAGE: Revelation 3:14-21 DATE: November 26, 2017
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. What comes to mind when you think of a Christmas meal or feast? 2. Using the analogy of a Christmas table or meal, spiritually speaking; what is the turkey/ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin/apple pie of THE CHRISTMAS TABLE?
3. List and describe the types of tables that the Lord has set throughout history.
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Revelation 3:14-21 1. Psalm 78:19: The psalmist wondered if the Lord could possibly set a table in the wilderness. What type of table do you hope that God will set for you this Christmas season? Where is God potentially silent, confusing or distant in your relationship right now? Is there anyone you know who is in the wilderness and might need an invitation to sit at the Lord’s Christmas Table this year? 2. Psalm 23:5: How do you understand the fact that the Lord prepares a feast for you in the presence of your enemies? How might your life be different if you truly realized and believed that the Lord has prepared a meal for you? What are the hurdles in your life right now that might be keeping you from believing that the Christmas Table has been set for you? 3. Revelation 3:14-21: Describe the church in Laodicea. What were their strengths and what were their weaknesses as a church? In what ways had the church lost focus and drifted from their mission? In what ways have we as a church lost our focus and drifted off course? 4. Revelation 3:14-21: One of the problems with the church in Laodicea was self-sufficiency. In what ways have we as a church become self-sufficient? What does it look like to be self-sufficient in your personal life? How is Christ’s invitation to “come and eat” and answer to our self-sufficiency? 5. Revelation 3:14: Jesus is truth! Jesus is a truthful witness for us. Who speaks truth into your life? How can we speak the truth in love like Jesus spoke to the church in Laodicea? 6. Revelation 3:15-19: Laodicea had both hot and cold springs which were useful and effective. How might coming to the table of the Lord this Christmas make you more useful and effective for Christ? 7. Revelation 3:20-21: How do you interpret Christ’s invitation in verse 20? Why is Christ knocking on the door of a church? Is Christ on the inside or the outside? What does the analogy of eating with Christ mean to you? This is the final invitation of Christ to the churches! What does it reveal to us about Christ? What does it reveal to us about the church in general? 8. Revelation 3:19: Before the invitation there is a call for repentance. What did He want the church in Laodicea to repent of? What does He want our church to repent of? What might the Lord be asking you to repent of this Christmas before you sit at the table? FINAL STEP: Read the message to each of the churches in Revelation 2:1-3:22. What is the commendation, condemnation, counsel and challenge to each of the 7 churches? What is His challenge to you today? NEXT STEP: Take time to sit with Christ this Advent season. Invite someone to join you on this journey.
Revelation 3:14-21The Message (MSG)
To Laodicea Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: 14
“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and 15-17
homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. 18
“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! 19
“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! 20-21
The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
XT STEP 2017
MESSAGE: “COME AND EAT” SERIES: THE CHRISTMAS TABLE PASSAGE: Revelation 3:14-21 DATE: November 26, 2017
FIRST STEP: (Pick one or more as a WARM-UP) 1. What comes to mind when you think of a Christmas meal or feast? 2. Using the analogy of a Christmas table or meal, spiritually speaking; what is the turkey/ham, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, rolls and pumpkin/apple pie of THE CHRISTMAS TABLE?
3. List and describe the types of tables that the Lord has set throughout history.
FOCUS OF THE WEEK: Revelation 3:14-21 1. Psalm 78:19: The psalmist wondered if the Lord could possibly set a table in the wilderness. What type of table do you hope that God will set for you this Christmas season? Where is God potentially silent, confusing or distant in your relationship right now? Is there anyone you know who is in the wilderness and might need an invitation to sit at the Lord’s Christmas Table this year? 2. Psalm 23:5: How do you understand the fact that the Lord prepares a feast for you in the presence of your enemies? How might your life be different if you truly realized and believed that the Lord has prepared a meal for you? What are the hurdles in your life right now that might be keeping you from believing that the Christmas Table has been set for you? 3. Revelation 3:14-21: Describe the church in Laodicea. What were their strengths and what were their weaknesses as a church? In what ways had the church lost focus and drifted from their mission? In what ways have we as a church lost our focus and drifted off course? 4. Revelation 3:14-21: One of the problems with the church in Laodicea was self-sufficiency. In what ways have we as a church become self-sufficient? What does it look like to be self-sufficient in your personal life? How is Christ’s invitation to “come and eat” and answer to our self-sufficiency? 5. Revelation 3:14: Jesus is truth! Jesus is a truthful witness for us. Who speaks truth into your life? How can we speak the truth in love like Jesus spoke to the church in Laodicea? 6. Revelation 3:15-19: Laodicea had both hot and cold springs which were useful and effective. How might coming to the table of the Lord this Christmas make you more useful and effective for Christ? 7. Revelation 3:20-21: How do you interpret Christ’s invitation in verse 20? Why is Christ knocking on the door of a church? Is Christ on the inside or the outside? What does the analogy of eating with Christ mean to you? This is the final invitation of Christ to the churches! What does it reveal to us about Christ? What does it reveal to us about the church in general? 8. Revelation 3:19: Before the invitation there is a call for repentance. What did He want the church in Laodicea to repent of? What does He want our church to repent of? What might the Lord be asking you to repent of this Christmas before you sit at the table? FINAL STEP: Read the message to each of the churches in Revelation 2:1-3:22. What is the commendation, condemnation, counsel and challenge to each of the 7 churches? What is His challenge to you today? NEXT STEP: Take time to sit with Christ this Advent season. Invite someone to join you on this journey.
Revelation 3:14-21The Message (MSG)
To Laodicea Write to Laodicea, to the Angel of the church. God’s Yes, the Faithful and Accurate Witness, the First of God’s creation, says: 14
“I know you inside and out, and find little to my liking. You’re not cold, you’re not hot—far better to be either cold or hot! You’re stale. You’re stagnant. You make me want to vomit. You brag, ‘I’m rich, I’ve got it made, I need nothing from anyone,’ oblivious that in fact you’re a pitiful, blind beggar, threadbare and 15-17
homeless. “Here’s what I want you to do: Buy your gold from me, gold that’s been through the refiner’s fire. Then you’ll be rich. Buy your clothes from me, clothes designed in Heaven. You’ve gone around half-naked long enough. And buy medicine for your eyes from me so you can see, really see. 18
“The people I love, I call to account—prod and correct and guide so that they’ll live at their best. Up on your feet, then! About face! Run after God! 19
“Look at me. I stand at the door. I knock. If you hear me call and open the door, I’ll come right in and sit down to supper with you. Conquerors will sit alongside me at the head table, just as I, having conquered, took the place of honor at the side of my Father. That’s my gift to the conquerors! 20-21
The Message (MSG) Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
