Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Revelation 1:9-20), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• [9] Do you know what it’s like to suffer alone? Do you know the comfort in discovering you’re not alone, that someone else understands, that someone cares enough to reach out? Do you feel camaraderie with your brothers and sisters in the church in our shared sufferings? Is it important to you to know that Jesus himself is with you, that he understands, that he cares?

• Have you ever endured pressure or negative reactions from others “on account of the word of God and the testimony of Jesus”? Do you ever fear such things? Does that fear ever drive you to make excuses for not sharing the Gospel with others? How do you address that fear? How might you become unafraid of how others will treat you when you talk about Jesus?

• [12-16] Revelation sets forth the Lord Jesus as the Faithful Witness (1:5; 3:14), and calls the church to follow him in bearing faithful witness to the Gospel of the Kingdom of God. Jesus speaks from the midst of his church (vv. 12-13). His voice sounds “like the roar of many waters” (v. 15), a term that describes the sound of God himself (Ezek. 1:24; 43:2) and also the voice of the multinational church (Rev. 19:6). Do you hear the Lord’s voice coming from his churches? From the church you attend? Do you participate in speaking the Lord’s voice to others in the church? To those outside? How do you know what the Lord’s voice should sound like, or what things the Lord would say?

• [17-20] Read Isaiah 41:10. Of all the things to fear in this world, it is right to fear the Lord—even to the point of fainting at his feet! But the fear-inspiring Lord doesn’t want us to be afraid. Does such a tremendous vision of Jesus embolden you to live faithfully in this tribulation-world? Would it distress you, if you didn’t know his character and intention to strengthen, help, and uphold you?

• “Whereas once Christ himself was held by death’s grip, now not only has he been set free from it but he also has the power to determine who else will be thus liberated” (G. K. Beale). Death and Hades are the worst enemies of God’s Kingdom. What does it mean to you that Jesus has “the keys of Death and Hades”? Why does Jesus hold power over them? How does he use this power? Under what circumstances can you imagine this being exactly the good news someone needs to hear? What sort of freedom does believing this bring?