Weekly Wednesdays: CALLED Men’s Group | Wednesday, February 12, 2025

Meeting# 4 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno

Introduction: Welcome everyone, this is the fourth meeting of the winter 2025 semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. We will continue to meet weekly on Wednesdays through 03/26/2025; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm.

Anyone is welcome to attend; you can be a new-believer, or someone who has been walking and solid in their faith for a lifetime; everyone is welcome to join. And you do not have to have been at a previous meeting (or prior semester) to attend this week, or at any meeting in the future.

Friendly reminder that we all come from various backgrounds, we have different points of view and are all at different places in our individual faith journey. The purpose of our meeting tonight is to come together, study God’s word and have a friendly discussion. If there are differing points of view, we should not feel attacked or become hostile to one another. We came together as friends and brothers in Christ; we should leave the same (as friends and brothers in Christ). Often there is no right or wrong answer; just interpretation of scripture – ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.

Zechariah stressed the presence of the Lord with His people and also the necessity to obey the Lord, especially in matters of justice, mercy, compassion and truthfulness. Zechariah was concerned that the returned exiles did not repeat previous mistakes of their forefathers whose disobedience brought the Lord’s judgement. Zechariah addresses the present and future condition of the people and Jerusalem. Zecharia’s book is helpful to direct our thoughts to the Lord’s plan for blessing and cleansing.

This book focuses on concerns of the temple, priesthood, and purification of the people. Chapters 1-8 deal with the rebuilding of the temple, the priesthood, and the future of Jerusalem. Chapters 9-14 deal mostly with the distant future and the coming Messianic kingdom.

ANNOUNCEMENT: UP COMING MEN’S CONFERENCE – MARCH 15, 2025

For more Information visit: https://www.mantourministries.com/centralpamantour

Register: https://www.mantourministries.com/events/the-central-pa-mantour-8

Price is $20 Early registration ($25 after cut-off), youth 18 and under can register for $5.00.

The world is full of broken, defeated men. It is time to get off the mat and get back in the fight. It is not God’s will for men to live broken, defeated lives. The 2025 Mantour conference is designed to help men get up and gain victory.

The conference is at Celebration Church located in Dillsburg, PA, which is about 20 miles from FV Church. The conference isn’t too far away, the cost is affordable, and is a one-day commitment Saturday, March 15, 9:00 am – 12:45 pm. We’ll meet at FV Church at 8:00 am, and carpool (or you can choose to meet) at the conference center Celebration Church, Dillsburg, PA: 1048 South Mountain Road, Dillsburg, PA 17019.

Get to know and be comfortable with sharing the three circles.

This semester, the Called Men’s Group is conducting Bible study using the SOAP-Q (Scripture, Observation, Application,cPrayer – and Questions) method, of the Book of Haggai, and Zechariah. Last week we read Haggai, and tonight we will begin reading the book of Zachariah.

Last week we read about the Prophet Zechariah having a vision of a surveyor measuring Jerusalem; that Jerusalem will no longer be enclosed by walls. That many nations will join themselves to the Lord on the day of salvation. That Joshua the high-priest was redressed in fine clothes with a new clean turban put on his head, with a seven faceted stone or gem. And that the Lord’s servant the “Branch” would be introduced, and everyone would invite his friend to fellowship under His vine and under His fig tree.

This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together and study your word tonight. Lord, we thank you for sending Jesus to remove my sins. Help me to properly wear my new clothes of righteousness in honor of Christ’s great sacrifice. Give us Lord; give me Lord the strength and courage to honor and glorify you every day. – Amen

Scripture, Read: Zechariah Chapter 4:1 – 5:11. (25 Verses)

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

Key verses for discussion:

Zechariah 4:1-7, What do we think the significance of the lamp stands and two fig trees? – Discuss among the group.

  • A lampstand is most often a ritual one, especially since they were covered in gold. (Exodus 25:31-40)

  • The golden menorah of the Tabernacle (Exodus 25:31) was duplicated in the New Temple as a symbol of God’s purity and holiness and the light of his revelation.

  • The lampstand supported a bowl, which served as a reservoir for the oil. Arranged around the bowl were seven lamps, each of which had seven lips, or spouts. Archaeologists have found individual seven-spouted lamps, but the combination of seven around a single bowl is uncommon, with the total result being 49 wicks. – An ultra bright lamp.

  • Some Biblical scholars believe that the two olive trees represent Joshua/Jeshua and Zerubbabel; with the golden oil representing God’s Holy Spirt. (see also Zechariah 4:12-14);

  • The purpose of the two olive trees on either side of the lampstand being that their function is to provide olive oil to the bowl of the lampstand, ensuring that the lamps will never go, with the trees being an inexhaustible source of oil.

  • The angel explained the obstacles in the rebuilding tasks that will not be overcome by conventional resources of might and power. Instead, the resources will come from an outpouring of God’s Spirt.

  • All obstacles will become plain to Zerubbabel, the “Mighty Mountain” of difficulties; practical, political or spiritual will be cut down to size. (Isaiah 40:4; 49:11 and Matthew 17:20). Faith in God enables His servants to overcome seemingly impossible obstacles.

  • The “Final Stone” completes a stone wall or building (Psalms 118:22).

Zechariah 4:6, || Be the Change || You don’t need any special qualifications, skills or abilities to serve God. All you need is a willing heart. The power of God’s Spirt will take care of the rest. - Agree/Disagree, discuss among the group.

Zechariah 4:6-9, Some people were beginning to wonder if the temple would ever be rebuilt. Let’s examine verses 6-9. How do we think Zechariah encourage them? - Discuss among the group.

Zechariah 4:10-14,

  • The Plum line – a cord with a weight at the end. It is used in construction to ensure that a wall is “plum” or perfectly straight.

  • The seven lamps signify completeness or perfection. God sees all that takes place on earth; He controls the fates of peoples and nations.

  • The two anointed ones; Joshua/Jeshua and Zerubbabel, the religious and civic leaders of Jerusalem after the return from exile. They were anointed with oil as part of their commissioning. Under their leadership, the Temple was rebuilt and worship restored in Jerusalem. - Discuss among the group.

Zechariah 5:1-4, Flying Scrolls – Zechariah’s vision of the flying scroll reminded he leaders and people that they were still obligated to follow God’s commands. The blessings and curses of the law (Deuteronomy 28) were still in effect.

When you hear of “Flying Scrolls” what do you think of? - ultimately no one is really sure what this means, Biblical scholars believe that the scroll was flying unfurled like a banner for all to see; 30 feet by 15 feet (9.1 meters by 4.6 meters). Like a giant billboard, unrolled for all to see. The purpose to bring the covenant curse to the covenant breakers – those who steal and swear falsely.

In Biblical times a scroll would be the same as a modern day book – something to carry an important message. Scrolls were usually made of rolled parchment or leather; sometimes papyrus, tin or copper. - Discuss among the group.

Zechariah 5:5-11,

  • The seventh vision continues the theme of cleansing that began with the acquittal of the high priest Joshua/Jeshua. The removal of wickedness, was much like the removal of the filthy clothing.

  • The basket (Hebrew ephah) was a standard unit of dry measure, approximately half a bushel. The prophets condemnation of unjust ephah baskets creates an association between the basket and evil. (Ezekiel 45:10; Micha 6:10)

  • The evil woman in a basket is believed to represent a seductive and dangerous force that is difficult to contain.

  • The sin of idolatry had previously provoked God’s judgement. Remember idolatry is anything we put in a place of importance before our relationship with God. https://www.gotquestions.org/idolatry-modern.html

  • The heavy lead cover (literally a talent [75 pounds] of lead) is not a natural cover for an ephah basket, but shows that extraordinary measures were needed to seal the basket’s unholy contents.

  • Wickedness most likely refers to evil (generally whether moral or ceremonial). It is opposed to righteousness (Proverbs 13:6; Ezekiel 33:12). The word wickedness in Hebrew is similar in Hebrew to the name Asherah, the ancient fertility goddess (Deuteronomy 7:5; 16:21).

  • The depiction of divine or angelic winged creatures as women is unusual in the Old Testament. If the two women are the Lord’s servants, they are unique angels. If they are the attendants of wickedness (a foreign goddess), their submission to God’s command demonstrates God’s power over false gods.

  • Idolatry is an aggressive evil; it cannot be confined, but must be shipped back to its source (Babylonia) by God’s decree. This symbolism indicates that God is able to purge His people of all the various forms of wickedness that separated them from Him. (Babylonia was the land of Hebrew captivity (Micha 4:10). The prophets condemn it as wicked and idolatrous (Isaiah 46-47; Jeramiah 50-51)

    • Anyone who messes with God’s people messes with God. He many not always stop everybody who tries to make our lives miserable, but the Lord will ALWAYS be with us in every situation. All we have to do is ask and cling to Him no matter what. God will make sure that justice is done in the end. Someday those who mess with God’s people will pay for their evil.- Discuss among the group.

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 surprise you? What was it?

  • Were there any repetitive words or themes that stood out to you? What were they?

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  • Is there anything that stood out to you? Share with the group and discuss.

  • Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss, and research.

  • Biggest takeaway?

Previous Assignments:

 Read Jeremiah 25:11-14 and 29:10-14.

 Read: Isaiah 52:13 – 53:12:

 Read: Jeremiah 23:5-6:

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/

2. 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/

3. NET Bible, Thinline Art Edition, Large Print, copyright 2021, by Thomas Nelson, Inc. a division of HarperCollins. Christian Publishing Inc. The NET Bible, New English Translation, (NET), copyright 1996, 2019 by Biblical Studies Press, LLC https://www.thomasnelson.com/bibles

4. NLT Parallel Study Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2011 Tyndale House MinistriesHoly Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation

5. NKJV The Jeremiah Study Bible, New King James Version (NKJV); copyright 2013 David Jeremiah, Inc. Holy Bible, New King James Version, copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. https://www.thomasnelson.com/bibles

6. Knowing the Bible, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi, by Steven M. Coleman, J. L. Packer, Dane C. Ortlund; copyright 2018 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.

7. The Good Book Guide to Zechariah, God’s big plan for struggling Christians, by Tim Chester, copyright 2005 by the Good Book Company. https://www.thegoodbook.com

Schedule: Month, Meeting Number, Date, Book/Chapters/Verse/ (Total Verses)

January 2025:

_x_ 001, 01/22 Haggai 1:1 – 2:23. (38 Verses)

_x_ 002, 01/29 Zechariah 1:1-21. (21 Verses)

February 2025:

_x_ 003, 02/05 Zechariah 2:1 – 3:10. (23 Verses)

_x_ 004, 02/12 Zechariah 4:1 – 5:11. (25 Verses)

__ 005, 02/19 Zechariah 6:1 – 7:14. (29 Verses)

__ 006, 02/26 Zechariah 8:1-23. (23 Verses)

March 2025:

__ 007, 03/05 Zechariah 9:1-17. (17 Verses)

__ 008, 03/12 Zechariah 10:1 – 11:17. (29 Verses)

__ 009, 03/19 Zechariah 12:1 – 13:9. (23 Verses)

__ 010, 03/26 Zechariah 14:1-21. (21 Verses) *

*Please monitor FV.church/events for more information about the next semester.

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