Weekly Wednesdays: CALLED Men’s Group | Wednesday, June 11, 2025
Meeting# 6 of 8 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
Introduction: Welcome everyone, this is our sixth meeting of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. We have two more meetings after tonight. (We will meet weekly every Wednesday, through June 25th (06/25/2025); 7:00 – 8:30 pm).
All are welcome to join; it doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for four seconds, or 40 years walking with the Lord. We are all at different places in our faith journey. Everyone is welcome; everyone has value; everyone has a voice. We need to remember that we all come from various backgrounds, different life experiences and have different points of view.
The purpose of our meeting tonight is to come together, read and study God’s word and have a friendly discussion. If there are differing points of view, we should not feel attacked or be hostile to one another; it’s our differences that add to the meeting and discussion. We came together tonight as friends and brothers in Christ; and we should leave the same (as friends and brothers in Christ). Often times there is no right or wrong answer; just interpretation of scripture – and ultimately, JESUS IS THE ANSWER.
Tonight, we are in phase two of our SOAP(Q) study (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions) of First and Second Thessalonians. (Phase 1 = First Thessalonians. Phase 2 = Second Thessalonians)
History of Second Thessalonians:
Effective communication can often be difficult. Frequently the message sent is not the message received. How we write, the words we use, the tone we use when speaking and communicate, can influence how our message is received and understood. Even when clearly written or communicated our message can be misinterpreted and misunderstood.
Paul faced this problem with the Thessalonians. Paul had written the Thessalonian Church earlier to help them grown in their faith and provide them with comfort to endure through persecution and encourage them about Christ’s return.
After a few months Paul learned that some had misunderstood Paul’s teaching about the second coming of Christ. Paul’s message that Christ could return at any moment had caused some believers in Thessalonica to stop working with the understanding of Christ’s immediate return. With the added persecution many thought that the “day of the Lord” was near.
Responding quickly, Paul sent a second letter to the Thessalonian Church. In the letter Paul gave further instruction concerning the Second Coming of Christ. Second Thessalonians continues the subject of First Thessalonians and the letter’s encouragement for continued courage through the persecution and consistent Christian living.
Almost 2,000 years later we are much closer to the time of Christ’s return; but we too would also be wrong if we saw Christ’s return as an excuse to be lazy and idle. Our responsibility is to be prepared for Christ’s return and to also be spreading the gospel. We are to be reaching out to those in need and building the church. As we read Second Thessalonians, we should see the reality of Christ’s return and our responsibility to live for Him.
Do we think our modern society today is much like the early Thessalonian society in Jesus’ time?
In what ways are they similar; in what ways are they different?
- Discuss among the group.
This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together. Father, thank you for promising that Christ will return. Help us when we study your word so we will know the truth about Christ’s return and not be deceived by false teachers. Lord help us to remain faithful and rely on you for understanding. Lord you are our rock and solid foundation in which we build our lives upon. - In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Previously we learned in First Thessalonians that Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Church’s faithful work, despite the intense persecution they were receiving. Paul longed to return to the Church but couldn’t – so he sent Timmothy to encourage them to continue in their faith and encourage the believers to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord avoid evil and be spiritually on guard and prepared for Jesus to return at any moment.
Tonight, we will learn more about Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian Church.
But before we begin reading Second Thessalonians; as you all are well aware, last week for some reason I kept saying First and Second Corinthians rather than First and Second Thessalonians. I believe God was directing us to take a look at Corinthians. Let’s read:
1 Corinthians 15: 17-29 (The Resurrection of the Dead)
- Discuss among the group.
2 Corinthians 5: 1-5 (New Bodies)
- Discuss among the group.
Now let’s begin reading Second Thessalonians:
Scripture, Read: 2 Thessalonians Chapter 1:1 – 12
Learn More, research Paul’s Missionary Journeys:
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
Key verses for discussion:
(Chapter 1, verse 1-6) -
Paul wrote this second letter less than a year after his first letter to the Thessalonian Church. Paul learned that false teachings about Christ’s return was spreading among the church leading many to quit their jobs and become idle waiting on the end of the world and Christ’s immediate return. The purpose of Paul’s second letter is to correct the Church’s understanding of Christ’s return.
Read: 1 Timothy 4:1-18; discuss.
Thessalonica was the capital and largest city of the Roman province of Macedonia.
The most important Roman highway extending from Rome to the Orient went through Thessalonica. This highway along with the city’s thriving seaport made Thessalonica one of the wealthiest and most flourishing trade centers of the Roman Empire.
Recognized as a free-city, Thessalonica was allowed self-rule and was exempt from most of the restrictions placed by Rome on other cities. And because of this open climate the city had many pagan religions and cultural influences that challenged the Christians’ faith.
Paul had been persecuted during his first visit to Thessalonica (which we read about at the beginning of the semester in Acts 17: 5-9). Many of the Thessalonians had become Christians after Paul’s first visit and were persecuted by both Jews, Gentiles and Pagans. Paul wrote his first letter to encourage the Church and had said that Christ’s return would bring deliverance from persecution for the believers. But this caused the people to expect Christ’s return right away to bring justice and revenge upon their persecutors. Many become idle; quitting their jobs, turning away from work. Paul wrote this second letter to continue to encourage the believers and correct them. While waiting on Christ’s return believers should grow in their faithfulness through the hardships they were suffering.
What do believers need to remember most when they are persecuted for their faith?
What do we need to do in times of persecution or trouble?
What can we do to keep our focus centered on Christ in difficult times/times of persecution?
The Bible reminds us, time and time again, the key to surviving persecution, hardships and difficult times is faithfulness and endurance. We are not to waiver or stray from our faith. We are to remain focused on Christ; keeping Christ as our center – everything else will fall into place in God’s time. And like Candace and Aaron like to say, do we have “even if He doesn’t faith?” – Discuss:
What can we do to trust in God’s timing?
Do we have even if He doesn’t faith? If not, what can we do to get it?
As we live for Christ, we will experience troubles because we are trying to be God’s people making our way to reach others in a fallen world. Many people believe that troubles are only the result of sinful behavior. Suffering is not always a result of sin or correction from God. Troubles can be used as a means to help us grow or an attack from the enemy to dissuade and discourage believers from pursuing and remaining in the faith.
Paul and the disciples delighted in their suffering. When we experience times of trouble or setbacks, we should use those challenges to lean into our faith in Jesus and rely on Him for guidance and understanding.
Read:
Mark 13: 5-11; discuss among the group.
Philippians 3: 13-21; discuss among the group.
(Chapter 1, verse 7-12)
The “rest” mentioned by Paul means that the believers can rest in knowing that God sees our suffering and strengthens us; preparing us for Christ’s kingdom. Believers can also rest in knowing that we will all, both good and evil people will stand in front of God. Our relationship with Jesus will be revealed and evil will be cast into the lake of fire.
Read:
Matthew 7: 21-28; discuss.
The eternal destruction that Paul describes is the lake of fire – the place of eternal separation from God.
As Christians our instructions from God the Father is to become like Christ. Which is a gradual life-long process. None of us will every be worthy, we are all sinners and fall short of the Glory of God, but despite our sinful nature, we should consciously be working on ourselves and moving towards Jesus.
Read:
Luke 23: 35 – 43; (The Crucifixion) discuss among the group.
Romans 8: 1-11; discuss among the group.
Revelation 20: 11 – 21:4;
https://www.studylight.org/commentary/revelation/20-13.html
https://godsbless.ing/commentary/revelation/revelation_20_13/
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?
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 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?
Assignment:
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17
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.
This Spring 2025 Semester Men’s group will be meeting every Wednesday, through 06/25/2025; 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm. Please monitor https://fv.church/events for more information.
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 Foundation
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 Foundation
HCSB/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.
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
Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Thessalonians / Philemon; copyright 1999, 2010 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
Schedule: Month, Meeting Number, Date, Book/Chapters/Verse/ (Total Verses)
May 2025:
_x_ 001, 05/07 1 Thessalonians Introduction & 1:1 – 10. (10 Verses)
_x_ 002, 05/14 1 Thessalonians 2:1-20. (20 Verses) + Location Study
_x_ 003, 05/21 1 Thessalonians 3:1 – 13. (13 Verses) + Bible Facts (p. 1296 Student Apologists HCSB)
_x_ 004, 05/28 1 Thessalonians 4:1 – 18. (18 Verses) + Twisted Scripture Study
(Apologists HCSB/student HCSB)
June 2025:
_x_ 005, 06/04 1 Thessalonians 5:1 – 28. (28 Verses)
_x_ 006, 06/11 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12. (12 Verses) + Cross References
__ 007, 06/18 2 Thessalonians 2:1-17. (17 Verses) + Cross References
__ 008, 06/25 2 Thessalonians 3:1 – 18. (18 Verses) + Cross References *
*Last meeting, please monitor FV.church/events for more information about the next semester.