Session 1: How Do I Read This?
Revelation isn’t meant to confuse—it’s meant to reveal.
In this first session, we lay the groundwork for understanding one of the Bible’s most misunderstood books. Before diving into dragons, beasts, or visions of the end, we take a step back and ask a foundational question: What kind of book is Revelation?
You’ll learn that it’s apocalyptic, prophetic, and pastoral—written to real people in crisis with a powerful message of hope. Far from being a code to crack or a map to fearfully follow, Revelation is a vivid unveiling of Jesus Christ—the one who reigns even when life feels out of control.
We’ll explore how to read this book through the right lens—not as a rigid timeline, but as a guide for faithful living today. With Scripture as our anchor, we’ll move from confusion to clarity, gaining tools to interpret Revelation with confidence, purpose, and awe.
Key Scriptures:
📖 Revelation 1:1–3 — “The revelation of Jesus Christ”
📖 2 Timothy 3:16 — All Scripture is useful
📖 Daniel 7, Ezekiel 1 — Imagery that helps us see more clearly
Remember:
Revelation reveals Jesus, not just the end times.
You need a lens, not a timeline.
This book is more about preparation than prediction.
Discussion Questions
Use these questions to spark conversation and reflection—whether you’re meeting in a group or journaling on your own:
What’s one word you’d use to describe your feelings about the book of Revelation—and why?
Revelation is called an “apocalypse,” meaning an unveiling. What do you think God wants to reveal to us through it?
How do you think understanding the genre (apocalyptic, prophetic, pastoral) helps you read the book better?
In what ways might we misuse or misunderstand Revelation if we only focus on timelines or fear?
What’s one way you hope to grow personally or spiritually through this study?