Bible Study October 15

Weekly Wednesdays: CALLED Men’s Group | Wednesday, October 15, 2025

Meeting# 8 of 12 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the eighth meeting of the Called Men’s Growth Group Fall 2025 semester. Reminder: we meet every Wednesday through November 12, 2025; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

Tonight, we are continuing a SOAP study* of Second Timothy. (*SOAP study: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions. – Later on in the semester we will also study Titus.)

There is no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend. 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 different 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 and even Biblical scholars don’t always agree; ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.

BACKGROUND: History of the letters: (2 Timothy)

Paul is the author of the letters to Timothy; Biblical scholars date the second letter to 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 Timothy and the next generation of church leaders. 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.

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 God, you have warned us that evil is present in this world; let us find strength in you to resist all evil, stand firm in our faith. You Lord are our Solid Foundation, upon which our lives are built. Help us to turn to you in any situation. – Amen

Scripture - Read: 2 Timothy Chapter 3

Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)

Key verses for discussion:

Growing up, did you ever think that disobeying your parents was a sin? (Exodus 20:12; Honor thy father and mother.)
Do the list of sins mentioned in verses 2-5, seem relevant to our society today? Was there anything in the list of sins that stood out to you? - Discuss
Think of a time in your life when your physical or emotional endurance was tested. What was it that kept you going? If you are willing, share with the group.
Have you ever been persecuted for your faith? If you are willing, share with the group.
What can we do to find strength to help us endure difficult times; even times of persecution?
Growing up, did you ever think that disobeying your parents was a sin?

Like we said last week, you can tell that this letter from Paul has a much more somber, sad tone. Paul was in prison and Paul knew that he would soon die. Unlike Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, when he was in a house where he could continue to teach. This time Paul was confined to a cold dungeon awaiting his death. At this time Emperor Nero had begun his major persecution of Christians; which he blamed Christians for The Great Fire of Rome. The persecution spread across the Roman Empire and included public torture and murder of Christians.

(Chapter 3, verses 1-8) -

Paul’s reference to the “last days” reveals his sense of urgency. “The Last Days” began after Jesus’ resurrection when the Holy Spirt came upon the believers at Pentecost. “The Last Days” will continue until Jesus returns – His second coming. – This means that we ARE in the last days.

Here in the United States, being Christian is not especially difficult. If we don’t like a church, we can go down the street to another. However, in other places of the world, being Christian can cost you your life. Paul’s description of what will happen before the last days, sounds very much like today.

Why do we think that it is so easy for others to be tempted and give into pleasures of this world rather than be obedient to God? – Most pleasure can be easily obtained, whereas love for God requires effort and sacrifice; it requires giving up our wants, desires, goals, our time and priorities. But in the end, shouldn’t we seek God’s approval, rather than the approval of the world? As Christians we are to live apart; in the world, but not of the world.

Because of the cultural background, women in the Ephesian Church had received no formal religious training. They enjoyed their new freedom to study Christian truths, but their eagerness to learn made them an easy target for false teachers. Paul warned Timothy to watch out for men who would manipulate and take advantage of women.

According to tradition, Jannes and Jambres were two of the magicians who counterfeited Moses miracles before Pharaoh. Paul explained that just as Moses had exposed and defeated them, God would overthrouw the false teachers who were plaguing the Ephesian Church.

Read: Acts 2:1-13
Ephesians 5:15-30
Exodus 7:10-13

(Chapter 3, verses 9-17) -

Lystra, Timothy’s hometown, Paul had been stoned and left for dead.

Paul reminded Timothy that people who obey God and live for Christ will be persecuted. We too should not be surprised when non-believers misunderstand, criticize and even try to hurt us because of our beliefs. No matter what, we are to continue in our faith.

Timothy became a Christian, not because an evangelist preached to him, but because his mother and grandmother had taught him the Holy Scriptures when he was a small child. Sharing and modeling our faith to our children is important.

The whole Bible is the inspired word of God. It is important for us to stay connected, read our Bible and apply it to our lives. In our excitement to learn and understand the bible, we should not forget that its purpose is to equip us to do good.

Read: Acts 14:19-22
Matthew 24:1-14
Psalm 34:1-22

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?

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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 4:1-22. Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.
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:

1. 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 Foundation https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/

3. 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/

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)

_x_ 007, 10/08 2 Timothy 2:1-26. (26 Verses)

_x_ 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.

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