Weekly Wednesdays: CALLED Men’s Group | Wednesday, June 18, 2025
Meeting# 7 of 8 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
Introduction: Welcome everyone, this is our seventh meeting of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. Next week is our last meeting; so only one more after tonight. (Our last meeting is Wednesday, June 25 (06/25/2025); 7:00 – 8:30 pm). All are welcome to join. 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 and are all in different places in our faith journey.
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 continue our SOAP(Q) study (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions) of Second Thessalonians. (Phase 1 = First Thessalonians. Phase 2 = Second Thessalonians)
History of Thessalonica, and First and Second Thessalonians:
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 (see 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 the 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.
Effective communication can often be difficult. Frequently the message sent is not the message received. How we write; how we speak; the words and tones we use, can influence how our message is received and understood. Even when our message is clearly written and communicated the 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.
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 –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 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.
This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together and study your word tonight. Father, we know your return is coming, although we do not know the day or the hour; we do know that you are with us always. You will never leave us or forsake us. You give us encouragement in times of stress and trouble. Give us the strength and wisdom to remain faithful to you. - 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. In Second Thessalonians we learned that Paul was troubled by his learning that many believers had become idle and lazy quitting work believing that Christ’s return was immediate.
Tonight, we will learn more about Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian Church.
Scripture, Read: 2 Thessalonians Chapter 2:1 – 17
Learn More, research Paul’s Missionary Journeys:
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
Key verses for discussion:
(Chapter 2, verse 1-4) -
Paul describes the end of the world and Christ’s second coming. He says that great suffering and trouble lie ahead but evil does not prevail. Christ will return to judge all people.
Although Paul presents a few signs of the end times, he emphasis the need for all to prepare for Christ’s return by living rightly every day. If we are ready, we won’t have to be concerned about the events to come or the timing of Christ’s return.
Read:
Mark 13: 21-37; discuss.
In the Bible, “the day of the Lord” is used in several ways: it can indicate the end times, or it can mean the final judgement day to take place in the future. There were some false teachers who were saying that judgement day had come, and many believers were waiting for judgement on those who were persecuting them and relief from suffering.
Throughout history there have been individuals and groups who were hostile to everything Christ stands for. Many antichrists have lived in every generation and worked for evil. However, as Christians it is not healthy for us to be more interested in how many there have been or who or what the antichrist could be (a person, spirt, electricity, the internet, AI etc.) we need to be focused on Christ. If our faith is strong and rooted in Christ, we don’t need to be concerned about what lies ahead, because we know that this lawless man; this antichrist has already been defeated by God. No matter how powerful he becomes, or how terrible the world becomes, God is in control. - Spoiler alert, in the end, Jesus wins.
Read:
1 John 2:18-27; discuss.
2 John 1: 5-11; discuss.
When Paul first wrote to the Thessalonians, they were in danger of losing hope in the second coming of Christ, believing that it would never happen. But then they shifted to the opposite extreme – some thought that Christ’s return was immediate and be coming at any minute, so they stopped being productive in everything; their work, their personal relationships, spreading the Good News. Paul tried to restore the balance by describing certain events that would happen before Christ’s return.
(Chapter 2, verse 5-9)
What do we think holds back the lawless one? Any ideas? - Biblical scholars do not know for certain. Three main possibilities have been identified:
God working through government and Law which help hold back evil.
God working through the ministry and activity through churches; spreading the Good News.
The Holy Spirt holding back the lawless one; the antichrist until the appointed time.
The Bible is not clear on who the restrainer is, we only know that whatever or whoever is restraining the man of lawlessness, he will not be restrained forever. But we should not fear this time when restraint is removed – God is far stronger, and God will protect and save His people.
It is believed that “This lawlessness is already at work secretly” means that the work that this Antichrist will do has been going on throughout time, even now during our current day. “Secretly” means that the evil work is something no one can discover, but something that will be revealed. “Lawlessness” is hidden, subtle, and an underlying force from which sin comes from.
In our modern times we are not used to the horror and brutality of the ancient and medieval world. None of us need to be afraid of being stretched on the rack, locked in stocks, chained to a wall, or brutally beaten and whipped as punishment for minor crimes. We still have morals, decency, law enforcement, education, science and reason. Although we are horrified by criminal acts, we have yet to see the real horror of complete lawlessness. – which will happen when the one holding it back steps out of the way. Lawlessness to a certain extent, is already gong on, but the man of lawlessness has not yet been revealed.
This evil man will use “counterfeit power and signs and miracles” to deceive and draw a following. The man of lawlessness will have power to do amazing things, but his power will be from Satan and will use this power to destroy and lead people away from God and toward himself. If any so-called religious person draws attention only to himself or herself, their work is not from God.
Read:
Revelation 13: 1-18; discuss.
In Chapter 13 introduces Satan (the dragon’s) two evil accomplices: (1) the beast out of the sea and (2) the beast out of the earth. Together, the three evil beings form an unholy trinity in direct opposition to the Holy Trinity of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirt.
When Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, he wanted Jesus to show his power by turning stones into bread, to do miracles by jumping from a high place, and to gain political power by worshiping him. (Matthew 4:1-11)
Satan’s plan was to rule the world through Jesus, but Jesus refused to do Satan’s bidding. Thus, Satan turns to the fearsome beasts described in Revelation. To the beast out of the sea he gives political power. To the beast out of the earth he gives power to do miracles. Both beasts work together to capture control of the whole world.
This unholy trinity – the dragon, the beast out of the sea, and the beast out of the earth, the false prophet, unite in a desperate attempt to overthrow God. But their efforts are doomed to failure. What do we think? - Discuss
Throughout the Bible we see miracles performed as proof of God’s power, love and authority. But in Chapter 13 (13:14) we see counterfeit miracles performed to deceive. True signs and miracles point us to Jesus Christ, but miracles alone can be deceptive.
The second beast orders the people to worship a statue in honor of the first beast – which is in direct conflict of God’s commandments not to worship false gods and idols, or to bow down and worship them (Exodus 20:4-6). – Discuss
The Mark of the Beast – (13:16-18), many people throughout time have been trying to figure out what the mark of the beast is - credit cards with microchips, digital currency (Bitcoin, Worldcoin, Ethereum etc.), There are many, many theories to what the mark of the beast actually is.
As a group, do a quick internet search of theories of what the mark of the beast could be.
- Share what is found and discuss.
…”the number of the beast, for it is the number of a man. His number is 666.” – and some manuscripts identify the number as “616.” Again, like what the mark of the beast, many have theorized about what this number represents – it is the most discussed part of Revelation and has been said to represent many things. The number six falls short of God’s perfect number seven and represents imperfection and the Antichrist. - Research what the number could represent and discuss.
In the Roman Empire, it was normal to place an identifying symbol or brand to mark slaves and soldiers. Some of the ancient mystical cults delighted in such marks and tattoos. The mark identifies members of who worship and belong the Antichrist.
The mark of the beast is designed to mock the seal that God placed on his followers in Chapter 7 (7:2, 3). Just as God marks His people to save them, Satan and his beast marks his people to identify them.
Identifying the mark or speculating on what it could be is not as important as identifying the purpose of the mark. Those who accept the mark show their allegiance to Satan, and that they reject God. To refuse the mark is to commit oneself entirely to God. – Discuss, what do we think? Explain why.
(Chapter 2, verse 10-17)
The Bible reveals to us that God hates all evil and will one day do away with it completely and forever.
We don’t need to understand every detail of how God works in order to have confidence that God has absolute power over evil.
Paul knew that the Thessalonians would face pressure from persecutions, false teachers, worldliness and temptation to stray and leave the faith. Paul urged them to stand firm and hold on to the truth. We too may also face persecution, false teaching, worldliness and temptation to stray and leave the faith. Paul’s letters should encourage us to hold onto the truth of Christ’s teachings because our life depends on it. We should never forget Christ’s love and sacrifice for us.
Read:
Revelation 20:10-15; discuss.
In Chapter 20, the dragon is bound for 1,000 years.
Satan is also cast into the Lake of Fire joining the beast and the false prophet and be tormented forever and ever. – This means:
Satan’s power is not eternal – he will meet his end. He began his evil work in people at the beginning (Genisis 3) and his evil continues today, but ultimately, he will be destroyed when he is thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur; the Lake of Fire.
After Satan is cast into the Lake of Fire, the Final Judgement begins and the books; including the Book of Life will be opened and all will be judged. - If we stand with and remain faithful to God, we will experience the victory with Christ.
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?
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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?
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 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.
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/biblesLife 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
_x_ 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.