OC Bereans

Gentlemen,

The former rector of All Souls Church in London, England, John R.W. Stott, wrote a small book in 1958 entitled “What Christ Thinks of the Church.”  In 128 pages he succinctly discussed various aspects of the seven letters that Jesus instructed the apostle John to write to seven distinct churches in Asia Minor (present-day Turkey), in Revelation chapters two and three.  For the next several weeks, beginning this Monday (2/25), we will unpack each of these letters in great detail in order to capture a clear picture of what Jesus desires for His church to look like … and act like.

As you might expect, there are seven “design elements” incorporated into these form letters that will help us compare and contrast what Jesus is saying to each group of believers.  I am in the process of creating a template that will show these elements side-by-side, and should have this finished by Monday.

In the meantime, I urge you to read through chapters two and three at least one time before Monday evening’s study.  Be on the lookout for repetitive words and phrases.  See if you can discern the seven “design elements.”  Can you guess what our next memory verse will be?

After we tie up a couple loose ends from chapter one, we will jump into an exploration of the first letter to the church at Ephesus (2:1-7).  Click here to download a one-page handout on the Message to Ephesus.

I am eager to be back with all of you men, studying God’s Word together!  I have a bit of a persistent, residual cough left over, but otherwise, I’m healthy … and rarin’ to go!  Jon Y. will bring the dessert, so show up by 7 pm to enjoy that.  Our time in the Word begins shortly after that.

Shalom!

~ tr