What's something you have to keep working at, long after you first "learned" it? Piano, a jump shot, cooking, farming, being married? On Confirmation Sunday, Pastor Kirk said it again: confirmation is not graduation. Faith is something we keep at for life.

Read 1 Timothy 6:6–12 together from your Bible. Grab a pencil: circle the three action words in verses 11–12 (flee, pursue, fight), and underline the six things Paul says to pursue.

But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called…

— 1 Timothy 6:11–12 (NASB 1995)

"Fight" is a command for ongoing action, like a boxer or a soldier. We fight for the truths of the faith, and against doubt and fear inside us. We fight as victors, not victims, because Christ has already won. And we don't fight alone: Jesus is with us, and so are His people (Hebrews 10:24–25).

• ★ Why do you think people sometimes treat a milestone, like confirmation, as a finish line?

Sometimes the bravest thing is to run. Paul says to flee the love of money ("a root of all sorts of evil," v. 10) and a world that says you're number one and can make your own truth.

• What are some things worth running away from? What does the world promise will make us happy?

What we long for, we pursue. Paul names six things to chase: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness.

• Which of the six does our home need most right now?

For families with children.

• Paul says to "flee" some things, like running from a bee! What are some things God wants us to run away from?

• What's one good thing you want to "chase after" for God this week?

• Try this: Flee or Chase? A grown-up calls out things like telling a lie, sharing a toy, saying something mean, helping clean up, being kind to someone left out. Kids take a big step back to "flee" or a big step forward to "chase."

For couples, whether newly married or celebrating fifty years together.

• Paul says to pursue gentleness: treating people who disagree with us with respect. Where do we need more of that, with each other or with others?

• What "treasures on earth" compete hardest for our hearts as a couple?

• Try this: Each pick one of the six from verse 11 that you see God growing in your spouse. Tell them, then pray for each other by name.

For anyone reading on their own or with a friend.

• Is my fight of faith mostly on the inside right now: doubt, fear, anxiety?

• Who is in my corner in this fight, and whose corner could I be in?

• Try this: Plan to be in worship next Sunday, and invite someone to sit with you.

Pray together, or on your own: Lord, thank You that the victory is already Yours. Help us flee what pulls us away from You and pursue what draws us closer. Make us faithful to fight the good fight of faith, together, all the way home. In Jesus' name, amen.

This week, follow the good fight through Scripture: from the armor of God to Paul's own words at the end of his race. Read the passage on your own in the morning (about five minutes), then bring the At dinner question back to the table, even if you're the only one who read it.

• Monday: Ephesians 6:10–18. The armor of God for a spiritual battle. At dinner: Which piece of God's armor do you need most this week?

• Tuesday: Genesis 39:1–12. Joseph runs from temptation, even though it costs him. At dinner: Why was running away the bravest thing Joseph could do?

• Wednesday: Philippians 3:12–14. Paul presses on toward the prize. At dinner: What are we "pressing on" toward as a family?

• Thursday: Matthew 6:19–24. Jesus on treasure in heaven and treasure on earth. At dinner: What is one way we could store up treasure in heaven this week?

• Friday: Hebrews 12:1–3. Run with endurance, fixing our eyes on Jesus. At dinner: Who has cheered you on in your faith?

• Saturday: 2 Timothy 4:6–8. Paul at the end of his life: "I have fought the good fight." At dinner: What do we hope people will say about our faith someday?

• KNOW & GROW: Do the readings above, and say the memory verse at a meal each day. Bonus: read Romans 2 before next Sunday, when we pick back up in Romans.

• GO: Get in someone's corner. Reach out to someone you haven't seen at church in a while. Tell them you miss them, and invite them to sit with you Sunday.