Meeting# 5 of 8 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno
Introduction: Welcome everyone, this is our fifth meeting of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group for the 2025 Spring Semester. We will continue meeting weekly every Wednesday, through June 25 th (06/25/2025); 7:00 – 8:30 pm.
There is no formal “membership;” all are welcome to join, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve been a believer for four seconds, or 40 years walking with the Lord; we are each at a different place 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 continuing a SOAP(Q) study (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions) of First and Second Thessalonians.
History of the letters (discussed in previous meetings, can skip unless new members to the group):
It is widely believed that the apostle Paul is the author of the letters, Silas and Timothy are also mentioned; indicating that they supported the letter and may have even possibly had a part in the writing of the letter. Paul’s final command in 1 Thessalonians and Paul’s note at the end of 2 Thessalonians in his own handwriting suggests that Paul is the primary author and took responsibility for the message and contents of the letter. Overall, Paul wrote thirteen letters in the New Testament and was one of the greatest missionaries to ever live.
Paul wrote the letters to the church in Thessalonica. The believers there had come to faith in Christ during Paul’s second missionary journey (Acts 15:36-18:22). https://www.gotquestions.org/missionary-journeys-Paul.html
During the second missionary journey God directed Paul and Silas to Greece, bringing the gospel to Europe. At Philippi, the missionary team was beaten and imprisoned. Rejoicing to suffer for Christ, they sang in jail. Suddenly, God caused an earthquake to open the doors of the cell and free them from their chains. The amazed jailer and his family believed in Christ, but the government officials begged Paul and Silas to leave. – Let’s pause here for a moment. They celebrated their suffering for Christ. Do we celebrate our suffering or challenges we face in the world because of our faith, or do we complain? - Discuss among the group.
Thessalonica was the largest city in the province of Macedonia (Modern-day northern and central Greece). The city was founded in 316 BC and named for a sister of Alexander the Great. It eventually became the capital of the Roman province of Macedonia. The city flourished due to its location on the major trade route to the east and continued to thrive as one of the most important cities in the Byzantine Empire.
Paul and his companions were forced to leave the church of Thessalonica, which was only a few months into their faith, because there were Jews who did not accept the Good News of Jesus started a riot by accusing Paul and Silas of civil disturbance (Acts 17:4-7). Paul was deeply concerned about the church’s welfare, knowing that they had not received all the necessary instruction, and was concerned about the spiritual and physical well-being of the believers in Thessalonica. The Thessalonian Church was new to the faith and already experiencing persecution. As a result, Paul sent Timothy to encourage them and make sure that the believers had not abandoned their faith. When Paul received a good report from Timothy, Paul was overjoyed, but the church still had struggles and questions.
This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together and study your word tonight. Thank you for sending Jesus to conquer sin and death to give us the hope of heaven. Help me be the light of hope when our brothers and sisters in Christ deal with loss of friends or loved ones. Thank you, Lord for always being with us and giving comfort in times of stress. – In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Previously we learned that Paul encouraged the Thessalonian Church’s faithful work, despite intense persecution. How Paul longed to return to the Thessalonian Church, and that Paul sent Timmothy back to the Thessalonian church to encourage them to continue in their faith and encourage the believers (and now encouraging us) to live a life that is pleasing to the Lord and hope for the resurrection.
Tonight, we will learn about Paul warning the believers to avoid evil, be spiritually on guard and prepared for Jesus to return at any moment; and that those who have died will be raised to new life.
Before we begin reading, let’s discuss the following questions:
How can we as modern-day believers prepare and get ready for Christ’s return?
The Thessalonia Christinas were anxious for Christ’s return. They thought that Christ would come back during their lifetime. They also thought that those who have already died would not be raised from the dead, but those who died after becoming believers would. After some of the believers died, and Christ did not return, the Thessalonians became confused an anxious. Paul reassured them that no one knows when all this would happen, and that all Christians will die and rise again. So, we should all always be ready for Christ’s return, as no one knows the day or the hour; we only know that Christ will return.
How does focusing on the timing of Christ’s return distract us from getting ready for Jesus’ arrival?
Why do some Christins believe speculation about the exact timing of Christ’s return?
How can we encourage each other to prepare for Christ’s return?
What changes (habits, lifestyle, prayer life) should we make to be ready for Christ’s return?
Scripture, Read: 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5:1 – 28
Learn More, research Paul’s Missionary Journeys
Observation, Application & Questions: (Identify/Discuss Among the Group)
Key verses for discussion:
(Chapter 5, verse 1-11) -
“How and when all this will happen” refers to the knowledge of what will happen in the future. We should not be misled by someone who claims to know when Christ will return.
The “day of the Lord’s return” is a future time when God will intervene directly and dramatically in world affairs. Predicted and discussed often in the Old Testament.
It is good that we don’t know exactly when Christ will return. If we knew the exact time and date, we could easily be tempted to be lazy in our work for Christ. Worse, we might plan to keep on sinning and repent to turn to God right at the end. It is right for Heaven to be our goal, but it should not be our ONLY goal.
We have work to do here. We may not all think of ourselves as leaders, or we may think that we don’t know enough. We all have someone in our circle that we can lead to Christ. And as far as Bible knowledge, we don’t have to know it all, there is nothing more powerful than our own testimony. If you come across a question that you don’t know how to answer - we should be honest and admit that we don’t know or are unsure of the answer. We can say “I don’t know the answer to that but come with me to church and we can figure it out together.”
Read:
Joel 2: 28-32; discuss.
Matthew 24: 15-31; discuss among the group.
Hebrews 12: 1-13; discuss among the group. - Important reminder, not all of us may have had good loving fathers. We need to make sure that there is a clear distinction between discipline and abuse. As a group, lets google search: “What is the difference between discipline and abuse?” - Discuss.
(Chapter 5, verse 12-18)
“Those who are your leaders in the Lord’s work” – Biblical scholars believe this refers to church leaders, elders and church pastors.
How can we honor pastors and other church leaders?
What are our responsibilities toward church leaders?
Don’t hang around those who are lazy; warn them. Encourage those who are timid, take care of the weak and be patient with everyone. – Discuss among the group. The key here is sensitivity, which is sensing conditions of each person and offering the appropriate remedy for each situation.
Our joy, prayers, and thankfulness should not change in our circumstances. Instead, we are to be joyful in all circumstances. (Which is not always easy to do.) We should never cease praying and be thankful. Times of stress are often times of growth. We need to be faithful that God uses all things for good. Evil does not come from God, but we can be thankful that God’s presence and for the good that will come from any distress.
If someone wrongs us, it is normal to want revenge. As Christians we are to be set apart. That is in the world but not of the world, and we should not return evil for evil – ALWAYS do good to each other and to all people.
What do we think it mean to “be in the world, but not of the world”?
To live as those who know and love God, but in a world that does not know Him or love Him. God’s intention isn’t to remove us out of the world; it’s for us to be in the world living life on this earth, but without being under the control of sin or Satan’s system. The Lord wants us to live for Him and to shine as testimonies to His goodness. - Discuss
(Chapter 5, verse 19-28)
Bible scholars believe that Paul warning not to “stifle the Holy Spirt” means that we should not toss aside or ignore the gifts of the Holy Spirt or make light of prophetic words. We should carefully check what people say accepting what is true and rejecting what is false. Sometimes spiritual gifts are controversial and can cause division in a church. – we should not smother our spiritual gifts or discourage others from using theirs. Discuss
The spirit, soul and body are believed to refer not so much to the various parts of a person, but what makes up the entire being of a person. Scholars believe that this is Paul’s way of expressing that God must be involved in EVERY aspect of our lives. Christians cannot avoid every kind of evil; we live in a sinful and evil world. We can, however, make sure that we don’t give evil a foothold by avoiding tempting situations and focus our attention on God. – Discuss.
Paul instructs the believers to read this letter to all brothers and sisters – for all Christians to hear Paul’s letter, it had to be read in a public meeting. There were not enough copies to circulate. Paul wanted to make sure that everyone had the opportunity to hear his message.
The Thessalonian church was young and needed encouragement. Both prosecution from outside resistance and influence and temptation from their pagan culture were potential problems for the new Christians. Paul wanted to encourage and strengthen the faith of the Thessalonian believers.
- Now we too have a responsibility to help new believers and make sure they continue in their faith. Discuss.
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?
Assignment:
Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: 2 Thessalonians 1:1-12
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:
1. NLT Courage for Life Men’s Bible, New Living Translation (NLT); copyright 2023 Tyndale House MinistriesHoly Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. https://www.tyndale.com/sites/courageforlifebible/
2. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.
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/
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. 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.
6. 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
7. 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)
__ 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.