Each person/group represents a Church in the year 148 A.D. After a time of persecution of Christians you and the other Churches have met together to discuss what you should do with the Christians who denied the Christian Faith and those Christians who have lived immoral lives.
 Each Church does not have the complete New Testament so you are bringing parts of the Scriptures that you have that may help on answering the issues.

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
-  Matthew 6:12f

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