Imagine a life where every action, choice, and pursuit is driven by a profound, unshakeable love. As we apprecntice with Jesus, we’ll uncover the heart of what it means to follow Jesus: a love so deep and transformative that it changes everything. The foundation of our spiritual journey is not merely obedience or discipline, but love—love that responds to the divine love God has shown us first.

We’ll explore how every aspect of our spiritual formation, from practicing the disciplines to making disciples, must be rooted in this love. It’s not about mere compliance or duty; it’s about being so captivated by Jesus’ love that we desire to be with Him, become like Him, and do what He did. This love compels us to grow in our apprenticeship with Jesus and to invite others into the same life-changing relationship. We’ll discover that when love is the driving force, our spiritual practices become more than rituals—they become a vibrant expression of our devotion. Join us as we dive into the radical, all-encompassing love that is the true essence of discipleship.

The early followers of Jesus were described as people of The Way. It spoke of the distinct path, life, and teachings of Jesus that set them apart from everyone else. It highlighted their faith, love, devotion, and identity in Christ.

John 14:6 – Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.”

Acts 24:14 – But I admit that I follow the Way, which they call a cult. I worship the God of our ancestors, and I firmly believe the Jewish law and everything written in the prophets.

Acts 19:9 – But some became stubborn, rejecting his message and publicly speaking against the Way. So Paul left the synagogue and took the believers with him.

Acts 22:4 – And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.

The Meaning of Hesed

• Covenantal Love
• Steadfast Love
• Lovingkindness
• Mercy
• Loyalty
• Faithfulness
• Kindness
• Goodness
• Compassion
• Favour
• Grace
• Devotion
• Unfailing Love

Examples of Hesed

• Lot’s acknowledges hesed as his life is spared
• Abraham’s servant prays for hesed as he looks for a wife for Isaac
• Jacob sees hesed over his life
• Moses appeals to hesed to forgive the sin of Israel
• God’s hesed over the linage of David
• Solomon acknowledges hesed in his temple prayer
• Ezra remembers hesed as they rebuild the temple
• Jonah realizes God’s character of hesed

Exodus 34:6-7 – The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness. I lavish unfailing love to a thousand generations. I forgive iniquity, rebellion, and sin.”

Psalm 103:8-10 – The Lord is compassionate and merciful, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. He will not constantly accuse us, nor remain angry forever. He does not punish us for all our sins; he does not deal harshly with us, as we deserve.

Hosea 2:19-20 – I will make you my wife forever, showing you righteousness and justice, unfailing love and compassion. I will be faithful to you and make you mine, and you will finally know me as the Lord.

Hosea 6:6 – I want you to show love, not offer sacrifices. I want you to know me more than I want burnt offerings.

Deuteronomy 7:9 – Understand, therefore, that the Lord your God is indeed God. He is the faithful God who keeps his covenant for a thousand generations and lavishes his unfailing love on those who love him and obey his commands.

Psalm 136:1 – Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good! His faithful love endures forever.

(repeated 26 times!)

Lamentations 3:22-23 – The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning.

1 Samuel 20:14-15 – And may you treat me with the faithful love of the Lord as long as I live. But if I die, treat my family with this faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.

David & Jonathan -> Mephibosheth

2 Samuel 9:1 – One day David asked, “Is anyone in Saul’s family still alive—anyone to whom I can show kindness for Jonathan’s sake?” 

Exodus 15:13 – “With your unfailing love you lead the people you have redeemed. In your might, you guide them to your sacred home.”

Ruth 2:20 – “May the Lord bless him!” Naomi told her daughter-in-law. “He is showing his kindness to us as well as to your dead husband. That man is one of our closest relatives, one of our family redeemers.”

Ruth 3:10 – “The Lord bless you, my daughter!” Boaz exclaimed. “You are showing even more family loyalty now than you did before, for you have not gone after a younger man, whether rich or poor.”

All of what we learned and studied is to form us as people of love:

• The practices
• The meaning of pain and suffering
• Healing from sin
• Crafting a rule of life
• The importance of community

1 John 4:7-8 – Dear friends, let us continue to love one another, for love comes from God. Anyone who loves is a child of God and knows God. But anyone who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

Colossians 3:12-14 – Since God chose you to be the holy people he loves, you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience. Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others. Above all, clothe yourselves with love, which binds us all together in perfect harmony.

Ephesians 5:1-2 – Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children and walk in the way of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.