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

Meeting #8 | This Week’s Leader: David Goodno

Introduction: Welcome everyone, this is the eighth meeting of the winter 2025 semester of the Men’s “Called” Growth Group. We will continue to meet every Wednesdays through the end of March (03/26/25); 7:00 – 8:30 pm.

Everyone is welcome to attend; if you are a new-believer or have had a lifetime of walking with Jesus and solid in your faith; everyone is welcome. 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 at different places in our individual faith journey; the purpose of meeting tonight is to come together, read the Bible, study God’s word and have a friendly discussion. If there are differing points of view, we should not feel attacked or become hostile. 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.

We are continuing a SOAP(-Q) study (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer and Questions) of the book of Zechariah, who stressed the importance of maintaining a presence with the Lord and to remain in obedience to the Lord. Zechariah was concerned that exiles returning to Jerusalem, would repeat previous mistakes of their forefathers. Zecharia’s message 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. And chapters 9-14 deal mostly with the distant future and the coming Messianic kingdom.

*** REMINDER *** 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.

Three Circles video

Several weeks ago, we read how the Israelites were fasting and suffering – but not for God, they would fast to elevate themselves and their pride possibly to show off to others how much misery they could take. Fasting would turn to feasting. Last week we read about promised blessings for Jerusalem. So much that strangers from all nations would beg to walk with them – that is “clutch at the sleeve of one Jew. And they will say ‘Please let us walk with you, for we have heard that God is with you.’ ” Tonight, we’ll learn about Judgement against Israel’s Enemies and that the Lord will restore His people.

This Week’s Prayer: Father God, we thank you for allowing us to come together tonight and study your word tonight. Lord, fear can keep us from pursuing your will. Father God, please strengthen our faith so that we can boldly go to places we never thought we’d want to go. Lord God we are grateful for you sending Jesus, our Lord, Savior and King. Help us to experience the peace and serenity only You can give. – Amen

Scripture, Read: Zechariah Chapter 9:1 – 10:12. (29 Verses)

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

Key verses for discussion:

  • What stands out to you in Zecharia’s message? Discuss among the group.

Zechariah 9:1-8,

  • The encouraging message told the Judeans that they had nothing to fear from their most prominent neighbors – Syria (Aram), the Phoenicians (Tyre and Sidon) and the Philistines. All three were rivals of Judah; they were always trying to take advantage. God said that their efforts would be in vain.

  • Foreigners will occupy the city of Ashdod – this would happen because of their great evil and idolatry.

9:1-2,

  •  The land of Aram was a city-state on the northern boundary of Israel, on a caravan route. Aram was sometimes an ally and other times an enemy to Isreal and Judah.

    • Damacus, the capital of Aram, was the northern boundary of the Ideal Hebrew state. (see Ezekiel 47:16-18)

  • Hamath was a fortress city on one of the southern trade routes (See Numbers 13:21-24 and Joshua 13:5-7).

    • The twin port cities of Tyre and Sidon were independent Phoenician kingdoms. They are often paired in biblical texts. (See Ezra 3:7-13, Joel 3:4-11 and Luke 10:13-14)

 9:5-7,

  • Ashkelon, Gaza, Ekron, Ashdod – These Philistine cities, located on the coastal plain of Israel, were defeated by David (see 2 Samuael 5:17-25).

  • Foreigners – some scholars believe that this refers to illegitimate children, or Zachariah using it to signify the Philistines’ eventual loss of political and social identity. (See Deuteronomy 23:2)

  • Bloody meat – The Philistines ate meat that had not been drained of blood and was therefore unclean (Genesis 9:4; Leviticus 3:17)

  • Detestable sacrifices suggest eating unclean food.

9:9-10,

  • The triumphal entrance of Jesus riding into Jerusalem (see Matthew 21:1-11) was predicted here more than 500 years before it happened. Just as this prophecy was fulfilled when Jesus came to earth, so the prophecies of his second coming are just as certain to come true. We are to be ready for his return.

  • Your King refers to a future king from David’s line. We later now know this to be Jesus.

  • Riding on a donkey symbolizes that the rider came in peace. (See Matthew 21:5 and John 12:15)

  • Verse 9 was clearly fulfilled in Christ’s first coming; verse 10 can be seen as Christ’s second coming. All nations and the earth will be subject to Christ’s rule – every knew will bow, every tongue will confess Christ is Lord. (Philippians 2:9-11)

9:11-17,

  • The covenant…sealed with blood, believed to be a blood sacrifice that sealed a Mosaic covenant (Exodus 24:8). Covenants in Old Testament times were sealed or confirmed with blood, similarly as we would sign a contract. Blood sacrifice points to Jesus’ blood that would be shed – His blood signature that confirmed God’s new covenant with His people.

  • The prisoners were Jews still living as exiles. The Jews who remained in Persia and Babylon were believed to be spiritual exiles as they lived outside the Promised Land. Your King refers to a future king from David’s line. We later now know this to be Jesus.

  • The Persians and the Greeks were engaged in a power struggle in Zechariah’s time. In the future, God would judge the Greeks (who could possibly represent all Gentiles). Zechariah is possibly alluding to Daniel’s vision (Daniel 8:21-22).

  • Appear above his people, Zechariah borrows the image of a winged sun disk that artists pictured as protectively hovering over the Persian King. The Lord will protest Israel and go before them in battle.

  • The ram’s horn issues a summons (Numbers 10:2-3; Isaiah 27:13)

  • The whirlwind depicts God as a warrior of devastating power and unpredictable swiftness (Psalms 77:18)

  • In ancient battles, great stones were hurled at defenders on city walls.

  • Abundant grain…new wine, Agricultural prosperity was a tangible sign of God’s blessing (See Joel 2:19)

Zechariah 10:1-8,

  • This rebuke of false shepherds, leaders who do not have their people’s best at heart.

  • Rain was a sign of divine blessing (see Joel 2:23); the Lord was the source of the rain, but Israel’s leaders let the people to trust in false gods instead.

  • Household gods, are believed to reference ancestor statues which were used in rituals of necromancy (conjuring spirts of the dead); consultation with the dead was a widespread practice in the ancient world, but God’s law made it off-limits for the Hebrews (see Leviticus 20:27; Deuteronomy 18:10-11).

  • We often make idols of money, power, fame or success and then we expect them to give us happiness and security. But these false idols can’t supply what we need any more than a fake stone image or golden calf. We need to be sure not to put our trust in these false idols, and make sure to rely and trust God’s promises for our future and security.

  • My anger burns, Israel is often the object of divine wrath. Disobedience to God’s law brings judgement. (See Judges 2:20; Hebrews 10:31)

  • Cornerstone is the first-laid foundation stone upon which the entire structure is built upon. (All the measurements and placements of other stones are aligned to the cornerstone)

    • Just as a tent peg anchors a tent to the ground, Judah will provide the future leaders needed to stabilize Hebrew nations.

    • Many understand the cornerstone, tent peg and bow for battle as titles for the Messiah (Isaiah 22:20-23)

  • When I whistle to them, Shepherds heard their flocks by whistling to them. (See Judges 5:16)

  • Gilead is a fertile region east of the Jordan River and south of the sea of Galilee.

  • Lebanon is believed to indicate the northern edge of the Promised Land (Deuteronomy 11:24).

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?

  • Prepare for next week’s meeting. Read: Zechariah 11:1 – 12:14. (31 Verses)

  • Is there anything that stands out when reading these verses? Be ready to discuss it at the next meeting.

  • Watch the Three Circles video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcj5G_4dwrI

  • REMINDER: FV Church has multiple events planned in the future to help you and your family stay involved with the church and connected. Please monitor https://fv.church/events for more information.

  • Men’s Conference: March 15, 2025, at Dillsburg, PA.

    • 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.

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. 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

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

5. 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 -- Canceled due to weather --

_x_ 005, 02/19 Zechariah 4:1 – 5:11. (25 Verses)

_x_ 006, 02/26 Zechariah 6:1 – 7:14. (29 Verses)

March 2025:

_x_ 007, 03/05 Zechariah 8:1- 23. (23 Verses)

_x_ 008, 03/12 Zechariah 9:1 – 10:12. (29 Verses) – updated.

__ 009, 03/19 Zechariah 11:1 – 12:14. (31 Verses) – updated.

__ 010, 03/26 Zechariah 13:1 – 14:21. (30 Verses) * - updated.

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

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