Angela Stauffer, Audra Christophel and Jared Widmer (DEO Phoenix) have Bible study with Marlin Hershberger and Lisa Hostetler. Photo: Mark Wassar

Vol. 1, No. 2 — March 2007
Revelation: Letters to the church
An inductive Bible study
by Dwight Regier

Scripture: Revelation 2-3

Synopsis: The book of Revelation begins with a vision of Jesus and his words to seven different churches. What kind of encouragement did Jesus give to those churches? What kind of correction? How are those churches similar to North American churches today? What would Jesus have to say to us?

Inductive Method: Inductive Bible studies can be led both by adult leaders and members of the youth group. The leader should to do the study ahead of time, decide which elements of the study are most helpful, and use these in leading the group. The pre-study section offers some resources to help the leader go deeper in preparation.

The youth themselves do the study, completing each step of the study in turn. The leader is a facilitator, offers help if the group gets stuck, and perhaps input at specific times. It is often helpful to note the group’s answers on a board or paper, as the later parts of the study build upon the first parts.

This study invites youth to study the Bible themselves by using elements of Inductive study:

• Observe (what is said?)
• Analyze (how it is said?)
• Interpret (what did it mean to the people to whom it was written?)
• Apply (what does it mean to us?)

Start the study
Introduction: Share a time that you received warm praise for something you had done. How did that make you feel? What was your response?

Share a time that you received a reprimand. How did that make you feel? What was your response?

Revelation 2-3 holds letters from Jesus to seven specific churches with both praise and warning. What can we learn about those churches? What can we learn about ourselves?

Choose a church to study: Read the letter to that church.
1. Observe

1. Describe the world that this church lived in. What can you learn from the letter?
2. What was going well in the life of this church?
3. What needed to change?

1. Read several letters. Notice the basic pattern of these letters: List the elements that are repeated in each letter.
2. Why would Jesus have words of warning for some churches and not for others? Why are his words of praise different for the different churches?

1. What did the message mean to this church in its particular context? Is it an encouragement? How? Is it a warning? How?

1. Describe the world your church lives in.
2. How is our world like that of the church you studied? Different?
3. Write a letter from Jesus to your church or your youth group, following the pattern you’ve studied: What would Jesus praise you for? What would Jesus warn you about?

Dwight Regier is the director for DEO (Discipleship, Encounter, Outreach), a partner program of Mennonite Mission Network. He and his wife Janet are members of First Mennonite Church, Newton, Kan., where they are youth sponsors. Contact Dwight at