The Good Fight of Faith Lesson 13 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock The Good Fight of Faith Lesson 13

Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Fight of Faith B. Lesson Background Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. The Fight of Faith B. Lesson Background

Priorities and Politics Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Priorities and Politics The next general election is little more than eight months away. Imagine that you were going to found a new political party. What would your party stand for? What would your party’s priorities be? Choose three of the following issues as your new party’s priorities. Be ready to defend your party platform. Item number: 533998483 Collection: bazzier / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: bazzier / iStock / Thinkstock®

Priorities and Politics Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Priorities and Politics Gun Control/Rights Unemployment Crime Protecting the Environment Illegal Drugs Immigration War on Terrorism Health Care Religious Liberty Abortion Education Reform Balanced Budget Eliminating Hunger Taxation Energy Equal Rights Click to add notes Graphic: bazzier / iStock / Thinkstock®

Priorities and Politics Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Priorities and Politics Perhaps the real fight of faith is more personal than political. What is gained if we battle an immoral society but fail to address immorality in our own lives? We face conflicts every day. Some battles are insignificant. But how do we respond to those things that are worth fighting for? Click to add notes Graphic: bazzier / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: bazzier / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Preparing for Battle (1 Timothy 6:11-16) A. What to Pursue (v. 11) B. What to Remember (vv. 12) C. Whom to Imitate (vv. 13-16)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Battle Plan Paul wrote to Timothy to guide him as he continued to spread the gospel. Paul knew that he would not live forever, so he purposely trained the next generation of leaders to carry on. Our lesson text today focuses on Paul’s instructions to Timothy. Read the passages, and then try to summarize them as a battle plan. 579132620 Graphic: Rizal999 / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: Rizal999 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:11-16. What battlefield tactics do you see in these verses? Have the character of a Christian soldier, including righteousness, godliness, faith, and love (v. 11). Remember why we fight and what we have promised (v. 12). Follow the example of our commander, Jesus, who has led the charge (vv. 13-16). Click to add notes Graphic: Rizal999 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Horizontal Visual Display the visual and ask, “How do we know what is worth fighting for and what is not when it comes to the gospel?”

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What would have to happen for you to follow the six virtues listed in verse 11 more closely? Talking Points for Your Discussion In terms of positive prompts to add In terms of negative influences to avoid 10

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What would full application of verse 12 to your life look like? Talking Points for Your Discussion In your use of time In your spiritual disciplines In your friendships Other 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What are some ways to remind ourselves frequently that God is the ultimate source of life? Talking Points for Your Discussion By using inanimate objects With regard to living things With regard to personal experiences Other 12

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What more can you do to make it clear to others that Christ is your ultimate authority? Talking Points for Your Discussion In choice of recreational activities In financial priorities In moving past the “milk” of God’s Word (Hebrews 5:12, 13) Other 13

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Enlisting Allies (1 Timothy 6:17-19) A. Uncertain Wealth (v. 17) B. Eternal Riches (vv. 18, 19)

Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. What tips about choosing allies in the battle do you find here? Beware of those who put their hope and trust in worldly wealth, which is so uncertain (v. 17). Join with those willing to give up everything in this world for eternal riches in the next (vv. 18, 19). Graphic: Rizal999 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline III. Eyeing the Prize (1 Timothy 6:20, 21) A. Know Your Mission (v. 20) B. Keep on Track (v. 21)

Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:20, 21. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Battle Plan Read 1 Timothy 6:20, 21. What do you learn about the spoils of our battle in these verses? We have been entrusted with great treasure, which we must guard (v. 20a). We will encounter false and dangerous opposing ideas, but we are assured that God’s grace will be with us (vv. 20b, 21). Graphic: Rizal999 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How will you make sure that what you value most is what God values most? Talking Points for Your Discussion In how you initially identify what God values In making plans for periodic reassessment 18

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. False Trust in Wealth B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock War and Peace The Bible uses images of both war and peace in reference to our faith. The famous work of Russian novelist Leo Tolstoy is named for this apparent contradiction: War and Peace. In the book, Tolstoy explores the tension between the concepts of war and peace. Item number: 474456580 Collection: kmlmtz66 / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: ikmlmtz66 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock War and Peace One telling quote is, “You can love a person dear to you with a human love, but an enemy can only be loved with divine love.” How does this statement help you understand how to fight the good fight while being a minister of peace? Click to add notes Graphic: ikmlmtz66 / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember “We have met the enemy and he is us.” —Cartoonist Walt Kelly (1913–1973)

The Lord Will Provide Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson The Lord Will Provide