LESSON DATE DECEMBER 15, 2024 (NxtGen Cebu)
SERIES TITLE
SERIES SUMMARY Imagine opening a time capsule from long ago, filled with messages and treasures that tell the
story of a different time. In this series, we’re reading into messages from seven churches that
lived in the early church and uncovering timeless lessons just for us. Just like a real-time
capsule reveals insights from the past, these letters to the seven churches reveal powerful
lessons for us.
MEMORY VERSE 2 Corinthians 3:2 NIV
You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone.
FOCUS Pergamum and Thyatira
PASSAGE/S OF Revelation 2:12-17 and Revelation 2:18-29
THE WEEK
BIG IDEA OF THE Time To Hold on To God’s Word.
WEEK
LEARNING At the end of the lesson,
OUTCOMES • Kids will understand that God’s Word help us make wise choices and stay strong.
• Kids will identify examples of temptations they might face every day.
• Kids will commit to a simple, practical way to hold on to God’s Word each day.
BACKGROUND OF In our Timeless Capsule series, we’re looking at Jesus’ messages to the seven churches, which
THE LESSON were sent to guide, encourage, and correct them. This week, we’re opening up the letters to two
churches: Pergamum and Thyatira.
Pergamum was a powerful city, full of temples for Roman gods. People there worshipped these
gods and the Roman Emperor and pressured others to do the same. Christians in Pergamum
had to choose whether they could follow the culture or stay faithful to Jesus.
Thyatira, on the other hand, was known for its busy trade market. It had many trade guilds
(association of artisans and merchants), and often held gatherings involving the worship of
different gods. For Christians in Thyatira, refusing to worship these gods sometimes meant losing
work or being left out. In Jesus’ letter to this church, He encourages them to remain strong in
faith and to be careful not to follow any teachings that don’t align with God’s truth.
What timeless message does Jesus have for us through the churches of Pergamum and
Thyatira? Let’s unlock Revelation 2:12-29 and learn the timeless truths that can inspire us today.
GOSPEL When Jesus gave John these messages, He wanted to help Christians stay strong in their faith
CONNECTION and stay true to Him. Sin was all around them, just as it is for us today. In Pergamum, the
Christians were surrounded by people who worshipped idols and followed other beliefs, and the
same was true in Thyatira. But Jesus reminded them to hold tight to His teachings and avoid sin.
This message connects to us and reminds us that even though we live in a world with many
choices and pressures, we are called to choose God and hold on to His Word.
Jesus’ death and resurrection opened a new way for us to be reconnected to God. Jesus chose
to take on our sin, dying on the cross and rising again so that we could have a close relationship
with Him. Through His sacrifice, Jesus unlocked eternal life for us—freeing us from sin’s hold
and giving us a new purpose in Him,
We see that holding on to God’s Word isn’t just about following rules—it’s about living out the gift
of love that Jesus has given us through His death and resurrection. His letters to Pergamum and
Thyatira invite us to remember this gift, knowing Jesus is always with us.
BIBLE LESSON EXPECTED POINTS IN THE BIBLE LESSON MESSAGE/VIDEO
MESSAGE/ VIDEO
I. Introduction
• Explain the Timeless Capsule series, where each “letter” Jesus wrote
to the churches unlocks an important lesson for us today.
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• Have they ever felt pulled to go along with the crowd, even if it’s not
right? How can we stay true to God even when others aren’t?
II. Unlocking the Unlock the Challenge—Pergamum and Thyatira’s Trials
• Briefly share that Pergamum and Thyatira were places with many false
gods and pressures to worship idols.
• Jesus knew they lived in tough places but encouraged them to stay
true to Him. What would it feel like to be a Christian in a city where no
one else follows God?
• Talk about how we might feel pressure to “fit in” at school or in our
activities, even if it means ignoring God’s ways.
• Jesus praised them for staying true, and He promises to help us stay
strong too.
III. Unlocking the Power of Holding on to God’s Word
• Talk about how the Bible guides us to make right choices, like
choosing kindness, honesty, and courage.
• Share how Pergamum and Thyatira’s Christians held onto faith, even
when tempted to give in.
• Cite some ways you can hold on to God’s Word when it feels hard.
Give practical ways they can hold on, like reading Bible stories,
praying, and talking to trusted adults.
• Remind them that Jesus faced pressures too, and because He stayed
true, we can have strength to stay true.
VI. Conclusion
• Big Idea: Time to Hold On to God’s Word.
• Gospel Connection: Explain that Jesus understands all our struggles
because He experienced them too. He gave His life to unlock the way
for us to stay close to God and receive His help.
• Remind kids that God is always with them, helping them stay true
when things get tough.
• Ask God to help everyone hold tightly to His Word and follow Him with
a true heart.
.
DISCUSSION ⇒ What does it mean to “hold on” to something special?
QUESTIONS FOR ⇒ How can you remember what God says in the Bible every day?
VIDEOS ⇒ What are some things you can do to be stronger in following God’s Word as a family?
END NOTES Scripture quotations marked (NIV) are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®,
NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of
Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.comThe "NIV" and "New
International Version" are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark
Office by Biblica, Inc.™
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