New Believer’s Path · Lesson 7 of 7 · A Rhythm for the Long Road · about 4 min
How is that purpose fulfilled?
But you, man of God, flee these things, and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you confessed the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:11-12 · WEB
For six lessons we practiced one thing at a time: being with God, prayer, Bible reading, fellowship, serving and testimony. The last lesson puts them together.
After learning six practices, it is easy to think: that’s so much—how could I ever keep it all up? This lesson says just the opposite: not loading all six onto yourself at once, but setting yourself a rhythm for the long road—each part small, fitted into your real life.
The book’s question here is ‘How is that purpose fulfilled?’ The answer is Paul’s word to a young co-worker: “follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness,” (1 Timothy 6:11-12) and “Fight the good fight of faith. Take hold of the eternal life.” (1 Timothy 6:11-12) Notice the words ‘follow after’—this is a road to walk, not an exam to pass.
Near the end of his own life Paul said, “I have fought the good fight. I have finished the course. I have kept the faith.” (2 Timothy 4:7) He did not run it in a day. A Rule of Life is like pacing yourself on a long run: not trying to be fastest at the start, just keeping on running. If you stop one day, don’t start blaming yourself all over again—come back and keep running.
The six lines on your Rule of Life card are your pace for this year. They don’t need to sound good, only to be true; in a year you can change them. This week, settle it.
“I have fought the good fight. I have ___ the course.”
According to this lesson, a Rule of Life is more like what?
Open your Rule of Life card, add your name and choose a verse, and put it where you will see it every day; then show it to one person.
What you wrote in the first six lessons is already on the card. Add your name, the verse and any lines you haven’t finished.
Your choice here stays in your own heart. This page does not record which one you choose.
Among the words Jesus entrusted to his disciples is this: “baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matthew 28:19) Baptism is a public declaration, before God and before everyone, that I will follow Jesus.
Baptism happens in a church. IntoOne does not baptize; we only walk you to the church door. How to prepare, when to be baptized and in what way differ from church to church; follow the guidance of your own church.
If you already have a church: go straight to your pastor, say that you have walked this path and would like to prepare for baptism. If you don’t have a church yet: visit a few and find one that teaches the Bible seriously and where people care for one another; if you are unsure, write to us and we will think it through with you; you can also ask people on iPray to pray about your search for a church.
If you are not ready yet, that is all right. You can walk the Rooting Path first, let faith into your everyday life, and come back to this any time.
Then put down roots in your church: join a small group and find one small way to serve; go on to the Rooting Path and live your faith in marriage, family, work and money.
You can also take a few friends through the Seeking Path together—you have walked it yourself.
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