Spiritual formation is the pursuit of being filled with God’s perfect love and allowing it to be your sole motivation for what you say and do.  It’s the process of being formed into the image and likeness of Jesus, formed by God’s love into people of love. When we are changed by God’s love, we become able to see people as God sees them and to love them as He loves them. Love becomes the outcome of our spiritual formation, more so than just a command of Jesus. Surrender, allowing God to remove anything that hinders us from receiving and extending His love, is necessary to becoming more like Christ.

 

Put It into Practice: Create Space for God: Set aside intentional time (even 10 minutes) each day to be with God in Scripture and silence, asking Him to stir a deeper hunger for Him.  

 

Day 1 John 13:34-35 

Reflect: How does the phrase “As I have loved you” change the standard and source of our love? Why does Jesus make our love for one another the primary advertisement for the Kingdom of God?

Apply: Do you more often try to manufacture love through your own effort, or do you ask God to let His love overflow through you? In what ways have you prioritized “being right” over “loving well”? 

Pray: Lord, I confess that I often fall short. It can be difficult to love those who frustrate me, disagree with me, or cause me pain. I ask that You soften my heart. Remove any bitterness, judgment, or selfishness that keeps me from reflecting Your character.

---

Day 2 1 John 2:3-10

Reflect: How does John connect obedience to Christ with relational love, rather than rule-following alone? What does it mean to “walk in the light,” and how is love central to that reality?

Apply: Are there areas where your spiritual life feels strong, but your love for others is weak or inconsistent? What behaviors and customs of this world are entangling your ability to love like Jesus?

Pray: Jesus, I ask that You fill my heart with a profound love for others. Give me strength to bitterness so that I remain in Your light. Guard my heart from hatred and let Your love guide my daily actions.

---

Day 3 1 John 4:15-19

Reflect: How does relying on the love God has for us (v. 16) provide the security needed to love sacrificially? What is the relationship between abiding in God and becoming a person marked by love? 

Apply: What would change in your relationships if you truly believed you are fully loved by God? Where might fear (rejection, vulnerability, control) be limiting your ability to love others?

Pray: God, I thank You for Your great love for me. Empower me to love others like You do. Pour out Your love through me so that I may be a vessel of grace, patience, and kindness to everyone around me.

---

Day 4 1 Thessalonians 3:12-13 

Reflect: How does this text speak to Christ-like love as an outcome of God’s work rather than a human achievement? How would you describe God’s role and our role in growing more like Christ?

Apply: What do you notice about what spiritual maturity looks like from this text? In what relationships has your love become stagnant or conditional? How can you allow God to strengthen your heart?

Pray: Heavenly Father, help me to stand firm in the faith, and may my heart continue to be established in the truth of the gospel of Christ so that I may stand blameless before You in holiness and virtue, at the coming of my Savior, Jesus Christ.

---

Day 5 Philippians 1:9–11

Reflect: How would you describe the connection between verse 9 and verse 10? Why are knowledge and discernment necessary for love to be effective? What happens when love lacks discernment?

Apply: What does being filled with the fruit of righteousness look like in daily life? Where have you experienced successes and struggles in this endeavor? Pray these verses over yourself and others.

Pray: Father God, fill me to overflowing with the fruit of righteousness that only comes through Jesus Christ, so that everything I do brings glory and praise to You.

---

Click me to open the graphic for week 1 questions!

Additional Questions:

• How can love be evidence of transformation rather than just effort? 
• If love is the evidence of spiritual formation, what does a lack of love suggest about our current “intimate, loving union” with God?
• How does viewing love as an “outcome” change your perspective on spiritual “failure”? 
• What does it practically look like to “make space” for God in a busy week?