dinner table & lifegroup leaders' discussion starters

---

DINNER TABLE & LIFEGROUP LEADERS’ DISCUSSION STARTERS 

Discuss how you believe persecution purifies the church? Why is that so?



What do you believe is the reason Jesus describes Himself as “the first and the last, who was dead, and is alive…” as He writes to the church in Smyrna? How does it help you to know that Jesus understands because He went through it Himself...and how does His “I know” help you?



What does the word “Smyrna” mean? The only other places this word is used in the NT is in: Mt. 2:11; Mk. 15:23; Jn. 19:39. Do you find significance to its usage in these passages? Why is Smyrna a fitting name for this city?



When do you find you depend on Jesus the most? What is the purpose of trial in your life? Look up the following verses: Mt. 5:10-12; Rom. 5:3-5; James 1:2-4; I Pet. 1:6-7. According to these verses, what attitude should you have in the midst of trials? Why?



According to Jesus, these believers were rich. Read Eph. 1:3-14 and make a list of those things this passage says.