LifeGroup Discussion Guide
Let Them Hear Sermon Series
Week Two: Thyatira
Something the writers of the New Testament have called us to be guarded against is to go along with the majority of culture. It should be the disciples' way of life together, their love for one another, their joy under suffering, their generosity in scarcity, their kindness in times of harshness, their faithfulness in times of compromise, that draws non-Christians.
Many of us started out our faith with conscience and careful thought. Perhaps over time we have grown affectionate towards the world, complacent and apathetic. We begin to be loose on convictions, tolerating moderate socially acceptable doses of worldliness. This is how compromise works, by way of small indulgences that creep into our heart and form our longings, away from the way of Jesus. Have we lost this fundamental virtue of faith – distinctiveness, being set apart? Have we lost our prophetic edge, our witness - in favour of worldliness and being culturally palatable?
Thyatira was a prosperous commercial center of the Roman province of Asia, famous for its unusual number of trade guilds. Members of these guilds enjoyed privilege and connections by required participation in social activities which involved the worship of other gods. Not joining a trade guild meant risking rejection and financial loss. This presented a major dilemma for followers of Jesus.
Similarly, we are often faced with dilemmas where our spiritual convictions clash with societal or professional expectations. The question is, will we as followers of Christ compromise our spiritual integrity for the sake of fitting into our professional environments or will we choose to be faithful even if it means losing out? Who will we follow: Jesus or the leaders of the trade guilds?
When the church looks like the world. You have a sick church.
When the church acts like the world. You have an impotent church.
When the church plays with the world, you have an unfaithful church
God calls us to holiness not harlotry, spiritual purity not spiritual prostitution, fidelity not adultery, devotion not duplicity. He calls us to follow Him and not follow the world.
As we follow Him, enthroning Him above our desires and allowing the values and priorities of Jesus take precedence over all, we may be faithful disciples, of whom the ultimate faithfulness is not rooted in human willpower but in God’s faithfulness to us.
Discuss these questions.
Reflect on the quote by Jerry Bridges: “The sin of worldliness is a preoccupation with the things of this temporal. …tendencies toward worldliness lies primarily in the two words ‘going along’”. What does this mean to you?
Discuss the statement: "For first-century Christians, it was not Christian worship that attracted outsiders; it was Christians who attracted them by their actions, lifestyle, practices, and moral standards." How can we, as modern-day Christians, emulate this in our daily lives?
Jesus was addressing the duplicity of heart in the church of Thyatira, despite their “good deeds, faithful service, or perseverance”. We don’t often compromise our beliefs all at once, but small indulgences over time lead to significant compromises. Can you think of examples from your life or observations where this has been true?
Discuss the significance of the reference to Jezebel in 1 Kings 16-19. How does this historical context inform our understanding of the church of Thyatira's challenges?
The Christians in Thyatira faced challenges that came with joining the trade guilds. How can we relate this to modern-day challenges where our beliefs and values might be at odds with societal or professional expectations?
Discuss the challenges of wanting the benefits of Jesus without the associated costs. How can we ensure that our commitment to Christ is genuine and not just superficial?