Fight the Good Fight

By Rick Terletzky

Fight the Good fight can encourage us. It can inspire us or even move us into action. But without its proper context, this phrase from 1 Timothy will leave our faith running a race with no finish line. How do we move past the doubt and struggles of faith towards a full blown engaged relationship with Christ?

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: May 29, 2020
• ISBN: 9781973685715

Rick Terletzky

Originally starting his career in film, Rick Terletzky brings a unique storytelling perspective to exploring faith and God. Rick has been relationally serving youth and young adults in ministry as a pastor for over a decade and is the Co-founder of Kingship.life in Portland, Oregon. He and his wife, Michelle, have two children and enjoy exploring the great Northwest.

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Copyright © 2020 Rick Terletzky.

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ISBN: 978-1-9736-8570-8 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8572-2 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-9736-8571-5 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2020902628

WestBow Press rev. date: 5/26/2020

CONTENTS

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Doubt

Fight

Good Fight

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The Faith

Suffering

The Good Soldier

The Faithful Athlete

The Hardworking Farmer

Reflect

Perfection

Unchained

The Good Farmer’s Fight

Questions

Trustworthy Sayings

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I thank Christ Jesus, our Lord, who has given me strength that He considered me trustworthy, appointing me to his service. Even though I was once a blasphemer, a persecutor, and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief.

The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.

But for that very reason, I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life. Now to the King eternal, immortal, and invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.

Amen.

1 Timothy 1:12-17

Before continuing any further, take some time to answer the following questions for yourself.

Read 1 Timothy 1:12–17.

Question 1: How does Paul describe his life before his conversion? Why might he feel like it is important to mention?

Question 2: What makes Paul begin praising God in verse 17?

Or what is his praise in response to?

Question 3: Brainstorm what it might mean to fully accept the trustworthy saying in verse 15.

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Doubt

Before we begin, let’s take a moment to recognize that you might be struggling with doubt. If not now, there may have been a point in which doubt reared its head into your faith. What was once tidy is now messy.

This book is all about embracing your faith.

But the very fact that you opened this book does not magically whisk away any doubt that you might be feeling in God, His existence, or love He has for you.

If you would allow me to speak to this struggle, I want to tell you something that you may not have thought of just yet.

Your doubt does not scare God.

Isn’t that strangely comforting?

Look back to where your doubt came from.

Was it always there? Or was there a moment when a new idea