Spiritual Direction
One of the myths of Western Christianity is that information equals formation. We can easily master Scripture without Scripture mastering us. The process of formation—being conformed to the image of Christ for the sake of others—is largely unknown. The Apostle Paul directs us to 1) Take off our old self, 2) Be renewed in the spirit of our mind, and 3) Put on the new self, created in the image of God. [1] Most struggle to know what this means or how to do it. Instead of Jesus transforming our inner lives, we focus on behavior modification and a sin maintenance plan.
Your work is to reflect and pray through the question in each Exploration. This is discipleship of the heart. See what God has to show you—he has more to say than we do.
Exploring
Notice the flow of John 15:1-11. It is an invitation to intimacy, fruitfulness, and joy. Jesus invites us to make our home in his love—intimacy. This kind of spiritual intimacy will bear much fruit. And fruitfulness leads to complete joy. We’ll explore each piece coming up.
4 Make your home in me, as I make my home in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must make its home in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you make your home in me.
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If you make your home in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.
9 “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now make your home in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will make your home in my love, just as I have kept my Father’s commands and make my home in his love. 11 I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete.
Question
“My greatest desire for my relationship with Jesus is …” It is all-important to know your heart’s desire and to share it with Christ in prayer. See how he meets you in this prayer.
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Ephesians 4:22-24.