Fight the good fight of the faith. —1 Timothy 6:12a

What are we fighting for?

Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. —1 Timothy 6:12

What’s at stake if we don’t fight?

Timothy, my son… fight the battle well, ¹⁹ holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. —1 Timothy 1:18-19

Some… have departed from the faith. —1 Timothy 6:21

How should we fight the good fight of faith?

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. —1 Timothy 6:11

Faith is active, not passive. Two actions: Flee and Pursue

• Flee from false teaching (1 Timothy 6:3-5)

• Flee from false hope (1 Timothy 6:6-10)

• Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. (1 Timothy 6:11)

The call to fight the good fight of faith is a call to flee from sin and earnestly pursue God.

• Keep pursuing. (1 Timothy 6:11)

• Keep fighting. (1 Timothy 6:12)

• Keep hoping. (1 Timothy 6:13-16)

In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴ to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. —1 Timothy 6:13-16

DISCIPLESHIP GUIDE

Let’s Connect

• What are some causes you’re fighting for?

Let’s Talk About It
Following Christ takes a fight. But it’s a good fight. The fight is worth it! It takes a fight to hold on to our faith in Christ Jesus, to help others take hold of faith in Christ, and to take the faith to the world. The call to fight the good fight of faith is a call to flee from some things and earnestly pursue something else. To receive more of God in our lives, we must flee sin and the things that distract us from God so we can actively pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

1 Timothy 6:3-16,21; 1 Timothy 1:18-19; 1 Timothy 6:3-21; 1 Timothy 1:4-5

• Ready to take a next step in your relationship with God and get water baptized? Our next water baptism will be Sunday, March 26. Talk to your Grace Group leader for more information.

• Which part of the message impacted and challenged you?

• Read 1 Timothy 6:12. What does it look like to fight the good fight of the faith? What does it mean to take hold of eternal life?

• Read 1 Timothy 6:3-11. What is God telling you to flee and let go of so you can take hold of more of Him?

• What practical ways can you pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness?

• Read 1 Timothy 6:13-16. How does knowing that Jesus, your Lord and King, is coming back for you fuel you to keep pursuing, fighting, and hoping?

Take a Step

• Take some time this week to reflect on this passage and consider what you need to flee to pursue God in a greater way.

Here’s My Prayer
Father, thank You for Your Son’s victorious life and death. Thank You for giving us the strength to fight for our faith and Your mission. Reveal to me things that I need to flee to pursue You more passionately. Use me to fight for the faith of others and fight to advance Your kingdom. In Jesus’ name, amen.