Welcome to CALLED Men’s Group!  If you're looking to move forward in your faith, then this is the place for you!  We are a group of men, called by God to understand who He is, who we are, and what we are CALLED to do for Him!  We study the Bible & discuss together, find projects where we can give back, and encourage each other in spiritual growth! 

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the ninth meeting of the Winter 2026 Semester for the Called
Men’s Growth Group.

Let’s take a moment to go around the room and introduce ourselves.

Tonight, we are conducting a SOAP study* of Obadiah. (*SOAP study: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
and Questions.)

Reminder: there is no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend. 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. 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. It does not matter if you’ve been a believer
for 10 seconds, or 50 years; everyone is welcome; everyone has value; everyone has a voice.

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 agree on everything; ultimately,
JESUS IS THE ANSWER.


BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
To understand the Book of Obadiah, we need to look at the Book of Genesis. The conflict isn't just between two
nations of Judah and Edom, but between two brothers: Jacob, an ancestor of Israel and Esau, an ancestor of Edom.

• The Grudge: Esau was the older twin who sold his birthright to Jacob for a bowl of stew. This family tension

simmered for centuries, evolving into a deep-seated national hostility.

• The Geography: The Edomites lived in a rugged, mountainous region south of the Dead Sea. Their capital,

Petra (Sela), was carved into high rock cliffs, making them feel physically invincible and strategically superior.

While the exact date of the book is debated, most Biblical scholars point to the period around 586 BC; when the
Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem. According to Obadiah’s vision, when the Babylonian army invaded Judah, the
Edomites didn't just stand by—they actively cheered on the destruction. Even worse, they gloated over Jerusalem’s
misfortune, stood at the crossroads to capture Judean refugees and handed them over to the Babylonians (the enemy)
and looted the city alongside the Babylonian invaders.

1. Authorship: Obadiah, a prophet of Judah, his name means "Servant of the Lord".
2. The Recipient/Audience: The people of Edom (as a warning) and Judah/Israel (as comfort)
3. Significance and Core Message: Pride leads to a fall; God protects His people from injustice.

PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer:    Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your
word. Lord, you detest pride, please Lord help us to avoid being prideful, do not allow us to stray from you. Lord,
please continue to guide me, lead me and help me follow you. Remove any distractions; anything that takes us away
from you; remove them from our lives. In Jesus’ name– Amen

Key verses and topics for discussion:

The Book of Obadiah is God’s warning against pride.
1. The Danger of Pride: The Edomites believed their mountain fortresses made them untouchable. Obadiah 1:3 (NLT)
says: "You have been deceived by your own pride because you live in a rock fortress and make your home high in the
mountains. 'Who can ever reach us way up here?' you ask boastfully."
2. "Lex Talionis" (Law of Retaliation): God’s judgment on Edom is a classic example of "what goes around, comes
around." Because they mistreated their "brother" Israel, they would receive the same treatment from other nations.
3. The Day of the Lord: The book concludes with a shift from the local conflict to a global perspective. It promises that
while Edom will be destroyed, Israel will eventually be restored, and "the Lord himself will be king" (Obadiah 1:21).

The Eight Charges against Edom:
In Obadiah 1:12–14, God uses a rhythmic, repetitive "You should not have..." structure to call out Edom’s specific
betrayals. The NLT translates these with a focus on the cold-heartedness of their actions.
The eight specific "should nots" that God leveled against the Edomites:
1. Gloating over a Brother's Disaster: They shouldn't have looked down on the people of Judah in their time of
extreme trouble.
2. Rejoicing in Ruin: They shouldn't have celebrated or thrown a party while the people of Judah were being
destroyed.
3. Boasting in Distress: They shouldn't have spoken arrogantly or "talked big" when Judah was in its darkest
hour.
4. Entering the City as an Oppressor: They shouldn't have marched through the gates of Jerusalem to take
advantage of the chaos during the invasion.

5. Gloating over Misery (Again): God repeats this to emphasize their attitude; they shouldn't have stood there
staring at Judah’s suffering.
Sidebar:*Candace gave us a word for “gloating over someone else’s misery” do we remember what this was
called? Schadenfreude is a term borrowed from German. It is a compound of Schaden ("damage/harm") and
Freude ("joy"). Researchers found that the three forces behind Schadenfreude is rivalry, jealousy, aggression,
and desire for revenge. For someone with low self-esteem (like Edom), someone who is more successful
(Judea/Isreal) poses a threat to their sense of self-worth, and seeing this person (or country) fall can be a
source of comfort because it’s a perceived improvement in their social standing.
6. Looting Treasures: They shouldn't have reached out and grabbed Judah’s wealth while the city was being
attacked by the Babylonians.
7. Hunting Down Refugees: They shouldn't have stood at the "crossroads" (the mountain passes) to kill those
trying to escape.
8. Handing Over Survivors: They shouldn't have captured the survivors and turned them over to the Babylonian
enemy as prisoners of war.
The "Mirror" Judgment
The reason Obadiah lists these so specifically is to set up the "law of the harvest" mentioned in verse 15. The NLT puts
it bluntly:
"As you have done to Israel, so it will be done to you. All your evil deeds will fall back on your own heads."
Essentially, because Edom looted, they would be looted. Because they handed over refugees, they would be handed
over to their own enemies.

Discussion Questions:
1. The Trap of "Invisible" Security
In Obadiah 1:3, the Edomites felt safe because of their literal "rock fortress." They believed their geography made
them untouchable.
 Question: What are the modern-day "rock fortresses" (finances, reputation, technology, or social status) that
we rely on for security? How can these things deceive us into thinking we don’t need God’s protection or
accountability? – Discuss.

2. The Sin of the "Bystander"
God’s primary grievance wasn't just that Edom attacked Judah, but that they "stood aloof" (Obadiah 1:11) while others
were being destroyed.
 Question: Obadiah suggests that neutrality in the face of injustice is actually a form of participation. In our
communities or workplaces, when is "minding our own business" actually a failure to do what is right? How
can we move from being bystanders to being helpers? – Discuss.

3. The Danger of "Schadenfreude" (Gloating)
The NLT repeatedly warns Edom not to "gloat" or "rejoice" over their brother’s misfortune. It’s a natural human
impulse to feel a sense of satisfaction when someone we dislike fails.
 Question: Why is it so tempting to feel happy when someone who has wronged us—or someone we view as
an "enemy"—faces a setback? How does this attitude corrupt our own character, and what does it reveal
about our view of God’s grace? – Discuss.

4. The Standard of "Brotherly" Responsibility
The conflict in Obadiah is tragic because it was "brother against brother”. God held Edom to a higher standard
because of their family ties to Jacob (Israel).
 Question: We are often told to "love our neighbors," but Obadiah focuses on the betrayal of a "brother." How
should our biological or spiritual family ties change the way we handle a conflict or competition? What does
"brotherly behavior" look like when the other person is clearly in the wrong? – Discuss.

-----------------

Read and Discuss Aligning Bible Verses:
 Genesis 25:19-34 – The conflict began before they were born, Rebekah felt the twins fighting inside her.
 Genesis 27:1-41 – Jacob encouraged by his mother, disguised himself as Esau to trick their blind father, Isaac,
into giving him the primary blessing.
 Genesis 32:3-21 – Jacob, hearing that Esau was coming to meet him with 400 men; Jacob was terrified
assuming his brother was coming to fulfill his vow of murder.
---
 Ezekiel 25:12-14 – The Sin of Revenge, Ezekiel confirms the historical context Obadiah provides, highlighting
that Edom didn't just stay neutral; they took active, vengeful action against their "relatives" in Judah.
 Psalm 137:7-9 – Written in exile, the Psalm captures the raw pain of hearing of the Edomites encouraged the
invaders.
 Jeremiah 49:15-22 – The illusion of security, not even physical height can protect a nation from God’s divine
judgement.
 Lamentations 4:21-22 & 5:1-4 – The Certainty of Judgment, Lamentations is a book of mourning for the fall of
Jerusalem.

Other questions to explore:
 What was the context? What was going on at the time this was written?
 What and where is this happening?
o What makes what was happening meaningful?
o Is there anything special about the location (or locations)?
 Who is involved?
o How do they respond to God?

o What character traits do you notice about them?
o 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?
---
 Is there anything that left you with more questions? What were they? Share with group, discuss, and
research.
 Biggest takeaway?

monitor www.fv.church/events for more information about the next semester.

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. Life Application Bible Studies (1, 2 & 3 John), by Linda Chaffee Taylor, Rev. David R. Veerman, Dr. James C.
Galvin, Dr. Bruce B. Barton, and Daryl J. Lucas; copyright 1999, 2010 by Tyndale House Foundation.
3. Knowing the Bible (1, 2, and 3 John), by Michael LeFebvre, J.I. Packer, Dane C. Ortlund; copyright 2018 by
Crossway, Wheaton, Illinois.
4. ESV Study Bible, copyright 2008. The Holy Bible, English Standard Version (ESV); copyright 2001 by Crossway,
Wheaton, Illinois.
5. 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/
6. 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
7. 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.
8. Life Application Bible Studies: 1 & 2 Timothy / Titus; copyright 1998, 2010 by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc.
Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
9. https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-1-John.html

January 2026:
_x_ 001, 01/14 1 John 1:1 – 10 + Introduction (Instructor: David Goodno)
_x_ 002, 01/21 1 John 2:1 – 29 (Instructor: David Goodno)
_x_ 003, 01/28 1 John 3:1 – 24 (Instructor: David Goodno)

February 2026:
_x_ 004, 02/04 1 John 4:1 – 21 (Instructor: Chad Huestis)
_x_ 005, 02/11 1 John 5:1 – 21 (Instructor: David Goodno)
_x_ 006, 02/18 2 John (1):1 – 13 + Introduction (Instructor: Chad Huestis)
_x_ 007, 02/25 3 John (1):1 – 15 + Introduction (Instructor: Chad Huestis)

March 2026:
_x_ 008, 03/04 Jude (1):1 – 25 + Introduction (Instructor: David Goodno)
_x_ 009, 03/11 Obadiah (1):1 – 21 + Introduction (Instructor: Chad Huestis)
__ 010, 03/18 Philemon (1):1 – 25 + Introduction* (Instructor: Tom Landis)
__ 011, 03/25 TBD (Instructor: Chad Huestis)*

*Last meeting, please monitor FV.church/events for more information about the next semester.

Meeting# 08 of 11 | This Week’s Leader: Chad Huestis

INTRODUCTION: Welcome everyone, this is the eighth meeting of the Winter 2026 Semester for the Called
Men’s Growth Group.

Let’s take a moment to go around the room and introduce ourselves.

Tonight, we are conducting a SOAP study* of Jude. (*SOAP study: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer
and Questions.)

Reminder: there is no specific prerequisites or formal “membership” required to attend. 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. 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. It does not matter if you’ve been a believer
for 10 seconds, or 50 years; everyone is welcome; everyone has value; everyone has a voice.
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 agree on everything; ultimately,
JESUS IS THE ANSWER.


BACKGROUND/HISTORY:
The Letter of Jude is one of the shortest books in the New Testament, but it is full of tension. The letter serves as a
"battle cry" from a time in the early Christian church when it was shifting from its beginning into a period of internal
ideological conflict.

1. Authorship
Jude, who was the brother of James and Jesus, was the author of this letter. Traditionally, the author identifies himself
as "Jude, a servant [ or slave] of Jesus Christ and a brother of James."
 The Family Connection: In the cultural context of the 1st century, "James" almost certainly refers to James the
Just, the leader of the Jerusalem church and the brother of Jesus.
 Humility in Writing: Interestingly, Jude does not claim the title of "brother of the Lord," which biblical scholars
believe is likely out of a sense of humility, preferring the title of "servant" or “slave” (Greek: doulos).
 Timing: Most scholars date the letter between 60 AD and 80 AD, a time when the first generation of Apostles
were passing away and the Christian church was facing its first major "identity crisis."

2. The Recipient/Audience
Jude wrote this letter to a specific community of believers described as “dear friends.” Which leads most scholars to
believe that Jude knew his audience, and his audience most likely knew Jude.

Jude explicitly states that he intended to write a peaceful letter on "salvation we all share." However, he felt
compelled to pivot because of a specific threat. The infiltration of the church with false teachers. In the ancient
world, everyday society was full of philosophers and preachers who traveled from city to city. Some individuals were
entering Christian communities and using grace and forgiveness as a license to continue to sin. —essentially arguing
that because God is forgiving, moral boundaries and sinning no longer mattered.

3. Historical Significance
Jude provides a historical link to the family of Jesus. James was executed in 62 AD, and Jude became a key figure in the
Christian Church located in Jerusalem.
Jude’s historical significance is also tied to its relationship with 2 Peter. The two books are so similar that they prove
the existence of an early "warning system" or shared curriculum used by early leaders to protect scattered
congregations.
Doctrine -Formalized "The Faith" as a body of teaching.
Ethics -Countered the rise of lawlessness and sinfulness.
Theology / Ecclesiology-Defined the role of the leader as a "contender" for truth.
In the context of the Letter of Jude, ecclesiology is very important because Jude isn't talking about the church as a
physical building. He is emphasizing Ecclesiology by defining the boundaries of the community—deciding who belongs
to the assembly and who has disqualified themselves by their own decisions and actions.

PRAYER: This Week’s Prayer:    Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your
word. Lord, we thank you for Your Word. The Word is truth and guides our lives. Help us see through false teaching,
false promises, and any temptation. Help us stay true to you and Your Word. . In Jesus’ name  – Amen