Weekly Wednesdays: CALLED Men’s Group | Wednesday, October 01, 2025
Meeting# 6 of 12 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the sixth meeting of the Called Men’s Growth Group Fall 2025 semester. Reminder: we will meet every Wednesday through November 12, 2025; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.
Tonight, we are starting a SOAP study* of Second Timothy. (*SOAP study: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions). – Later on in the semester we will also study Second Timothy and Titus.
There is no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend; as much as I’d like you to attend all of our meetings, attendance at all meetings is not a requirement. Please keep in mind that we are all in different places of our faith journey; we all come from various backgrounds, have different points of view, and it does not matter where you are in your faith journey – 10 seconds, 10-years, or a lifetime; everyone is welcome; everyone has value; everyone has a voice. The purpose of tonight is to come together, read and study God’s word, develop an understanding, grow in our faith and have a friendly discussion.
If there are differing points of view, we should not feel attacked or be hostile to one another; it is our different points of view that add to the discussion. We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ. And we should leave the same (as friends and brothers in Christ). Often there is no right or wrong answer; just interpretation of scripture from various Biblical scholars, and Biblical scholars don’t always agree; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.
REMINDER: Rich Kaiser and Samuel Jaquez’s Men’s retreat, STARTS TOMORROW Thursday, October 2 through Sunday, October 5; to take place at a remote hunter’s cabin near Emporium, Pennsylvania.
If you are interested in going and haven’t contacted Rich or Sam, please let me know and we can work together to coordinate with Rich and Sam to see if they still have slots available for you.
Costs are $60 to attend three days; $45 to attend two days. Attendees will need to bring a Bible, notebook, pen/pencil, sleeping bag (or bedding/blankets), pillows, clothes, shoes and slippers, snacks, bottled water etc. Talk with Sam or Rich to get a full packing list. Please note there is no running water at the cabin, and the bathroom is an outhouse, so attendees should bring dude-wipes/baby wipes and plan on bringing their own water (Discuss with Sam and Rich).
BACKGROUND: History of the letters: (2 Timothy )
Paul is author of these letters to Timothy, with Biblical scholars dating the second letter around 66 or 67 AD.
When Paul wrote this letter, he was virtually alone in prison, only Luke was with him. Biblical scholars believe that the letter was to pass the torch onto the next generation of church leaders and to Timothy; giving encouragement and instructions how to deal with conflicts, false teaching and challenges from their surrounding cultures. Paul instructed Timothy to preserve the Christian faith, remain disciplined; oppose false teaching, and to minister faithfully; leading by example.
Today we can use the letters to Timothy to strengthen our own faith and spiritual discipline.
Some of the key themes of Second Timothy:
Boldness – In the face of opposition and persecution, Timothy was to carry out the ministry without fear or shame. Paul urged Timothy to use his gifts of preaching and teaching that the Holy Spirt had given him. The Holy Spirt helps us be wise and strong.
Faithfulness – Christ was faithful to all of us by his sacrifice on the cross. Paul was a faithful minister even when he was in prison. Paul urged Timothy to maintain not only sound doctrine but loyalty, diligence and endurance. We can count on opposition, both physical and spiritual as we service Christ. But our faithfulness through any opposition shows our perseverance, dedication and loyalty to Christ. As we grow in our trust in Christ, He will give us the courage and strength to endure and remain steadfast in our relationship with Jesus.
Preaching and Teaching – Paul and Timothy were active in preaching and teaching the Good News about Jesus Christ. Paul encouraged Timothy to teach others; passing on sound doctrine and enthusiasm for Christ. We must prepare to teach others. Some of us may not feel that we are not capable, or that we are not in a position to lead someone else. We all have someone in our circle of influence, but if you are new in your faith and unsure how to minister to others: learn about the three circles- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcj5G_4dwrI , continue to attend FV-Church, come to Men’s Group, and find a spiritual mentor who can guide you.
PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your word. Father, we thank you for helping us endure during difficult times. Lord, we don’t know what lies ahead for us or the Church; Lord we cling to you for guidance, protection and encouragement. Give us wisdom, power, love and self-discipline to reject sin and follow you. In Jesus name – Amen
Scripture, Read: 2 Timothy Chapter 1
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%201&version=NLT
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
Key verses for discussion:
Think about what excites you most about the opportunity to Serve God?
If you are willing, share with the group.
Think about what your motivation is for Christian service. Do you have any motivations?
If you are willing, share with the group.
Is there anything that bothers you about the idea of lifelong, faithful Christian service?
If you are willing, share with the group.
Is there anything that holds you back from faithful Christian service?
If you are willing, share with the group.
Google search: What is the difference between a preacher, apostle and teacher? Discuss.
(Chapter 1, verses 1-18) -
This letter from Paul has a somber, sad tone. Paul had been imprisoned for the last time and Paul knew that he would soon die. Unlike Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, when he was in a house where he continued to teach. This time Paul was believed to be confined to a cold dungeon awaiting his death. Emperor Nero had begun his major persecution of Christians as he passed blame onto Christians for the great fire of Rome. The persecution spread across the empire and included public torture and murder of Christians.
Read: Acts 28: 11-31
2 Corinthians 5:11-21
Romans 8:18-30
Paul was confident that though he was in prison and facing death, God would carry out the Good News ministry through others such as Timothy. Paul knew that God was still in control, and no matter what setbacks or problems he faced, he could fully trust in God. Paul’s devotion to the Lord also indicates and proves to us now, what happened to Paul on the Road to Damascus actually happened. Why invent this story and devote your life for a cause that would gain Paul no fame, caused great suffering and beatings and ultimately lead to his death. Why endure all this if his encounter with Jesus wasn’t real?
Read Acts 9:1-22;
Acts 10:34-48
Other questions to explore:
What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
What and where is this happening?
What makes what was happening meaningful?
Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
Who is involved?
How do they respond to God?
What character traits do you notice about them?
What is the significance of their involvement?
What do you think is the key message?
Did anything that surprised or stood out to you? What was it? Share with the group and discuss.
Are there any key verses that stand out to you? Discuss among the group.
Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?
Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss, and research.
Biggest takeaway?
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: 2 Timothy 2:1-26
Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Timothy%202&version=NLT
Think of things that you can do to encourage new believers over the next seven days.
References/Acknowledgements:
Elements of today’s Bible study were referenced from:
NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundatio https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.
NIV Study Bible, Revolution, copyright 2011. The Holy Bible, New International Version (NIV); copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Zondervan, Grand Rapids, Michigan. https://www.zondervan.com/p/niv-bibles-for-teens-true-images-revolution/
NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House Ministries
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House FoundationHCSB/CSB The Apologetics Study Bible, copyright 2007. The Holy Bible, Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB/CSB); copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holmon Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee.
Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy / Titus; copyright 1998, 2010 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
Schedule: Month, Meeting Number, Date, Book/Chapters/Verse/ (Total Verses)
August 2025:
_x_ 001, 08/27 1 Timothy Introduction & 1:1 – 20. (20 Verses)
September 2025:
_x_ 002, 09/03 1 Timothy 2:1-15 & 3:1-16. (31 Verses)
_x_ 003, 09/10 1 Timothy 4:1 – 16. (16 Verses)
_x_ 004, 09/17 1 Timothy 5:1 – 25. (25 Verses)
_x_-005, 09/24 1 Timothy 6:1 – 21. (21 Verses)
October 2025:
_X_ 006, 10/01 2 Timothy Introduction & 1:1 – 18. (18 Verses)
__ 007, 10/08 2 Timothy 2:1-26. (26 Verses)
__ 008, 10/15 2 Timothy 3:1-17. (17 Verses)
__ 009, 10/22 2 Timothy 4:1 – 22. (22 Verses)
__ 010, 10/29 Titus Introduction & 1:1-16 (16 Verses)
November 2025:
__ 010, 11/05 Titus 2: 1-15 (15 Verses)
__ 011, 11/12 Titus 3:1-15 (15 Verses)*
*Last meeting, please monitor FV.church/events for more information about the next semester.