September 1 | Discovery Questions

September 1: Discovery Questions (based on Revelation 1:1-20)  

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1. When in your life did Jesus Christ become real to you? Briefly share that story with your group. 

Ask two people to read aloud Revelation 1:1-20, one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Then ask a third person to briefly summarize the passage. 

2. Although John was already intimately acquainted with Jesus, the revelation he received from the Lord through an angel on the island of Patmos must have been a tremendous encouragement to him in his exile. In what ways today does the Lord remind us that he is with us and for us? 

3. The greeting and doxology remind us that Jesus “loves us and has freed us from our sins by his blood” (Revelation 1:5). What does this mean to you personally? 

4. Jesus described himself to John as “the Alpha and Omega . . . who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty” (1:8). 

• How do you think this brought comfort to John in his situation? 

• How does this same knowledge give us comfort in our circumstances? 

5. John was instructed to write down what he was about to see and send the information to seven churches (1:11). What does this say about Jesus’ love and concern for the local church? 

6. John wrote that upon seeing Christ in all his splendor and glory, “I fell at his feet as though dead” (1:17). 

• How do you think you would react if you found yourself in the very presence of Christ? 

• How might a thought like this affect your perspective when you worship? 

7. John saw a glorious vision of the resurrected Christ moving among seven golden lampstands (1:12-16). Later the seven golden lampstands are identified as the seven churches to whom John was to write (1:19-20). How does it affect your thoughts and actions to know that the Lord moves among his church? 

8. Based on our study and discussion, complete the sentence: “I will . . .” 

For Next Week: Read and reflect on Revelation 2:1-17. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts and the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.