HOW DID YOU SEE GOD THIS WEEK AS YOU FOLLOWED HIM?

WHAT DID GOD SAY IN HIS WORD?

Opening Question:

Have you ever gotten in a fight? What was it for?

Paul encourages Timothy to fight the good fight of faith in our passage from Sunday. Let’s read it again:

11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time-- he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honor and eternal dominion. Amen. 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. 20 O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called "knowledge," 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you.

Reflect Together:

From which “things” is Timothy supposed to “flee”? (See 6:3-10)

How does someone “take hold” of life? What did it mean for Timothy to need to take hold of eternal life? What does it mean for the rich to take hold of that which is truly life? (6:12, 19)

How does Jesus being the immortal King of kings relate to the rest of the passage? What impact does that truth have on the callings Paul makes to Timothy and the rich? (6:15-16)

WHAT DID GOD SAY TO ME THROUGH HIS WORD?

Why is it important to have a “fight” to our faith?

What are some ways that you can grow the fight in your faith?

WHAT DOES GOD WANT ME TO DO ABOUT IT?

Consider your life goals. Do they include fighting the fight of faith? Spend some time evaluating what you are aiming for and whether that lines up with Paul’s calls to Timothy and the church in Ephesus from 1 Timothy 6. If necessary, rededicate your life to pursuing God’s calling.