To find the second term \( a_2 \) of the geometric sequence defined by the recursive formula \( a_n = 3a_{n-1} - 7 \) with the initial term \( a_1 = 4 \), we can substitute \( n = 2 \) into the recursive formula:
\[ a_2 = 3a_{1} - 7 \]
Now we can substitute \( a_1 = 4 \):
\[ a_2 = 3(4) - 7 \] \[ a_2 = 12 - 7 \] \[ a_2 = 5 \]
Thus, the second term \( a_2 \) of the sequence is \( 5 \).