5-DAY BIBLE READING PLAN
Grace at Work Over Time
Opening Overview
This week’s readings focus on how grace continues shaping our lives after transformation. Each passage invites us to trust God’s forming work and to live out our faith with love, awareness, and hope.
Day 1 — Grace That Awakens
Romans 13:8–14 (NLT)
Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law. For the commandments say, “You must not commit adultery. You must not murder. You must not steal. You must not covet.” These—and other such commandments—are summed up in this one commandment: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” Love does no wrong to others, so love fulfills the requirements of God’s law.
This is all the more urgent, for you know how late it is; time is running out. Wake up, for our salvation is nearer now than when we first believed. The night is almost gone; the day of salvation will soon be here. So remove your dark deeds like dirty clothes, and put on the shining armor of right living. Because we belong to the day, we must live decent lives for all to see. Don’t participate in the darkness of wild parties and drunkenness, or in sexual promiscuity and immoral living, or in quarreling and jealousy. Instead, clothe yourself with the presence of the Lord Jesus Christ. And don’t let yourself think about ways to indulge your evil desires.
Reflection
Grace doesn’t lull us to sleep; it wakes us up. Formation happens as we choose awareness and love in everyday life.
Day 2 — Grace That Teaches Patience
Romans 14:1–4 (NLT)
Accept other believers who are weak in faith, and don’t argue with them about what they think is right or wrong. For instance, one person believes it’s all right to eat anything. But another believer with a sensitive conscience will eat only vegetables. Those who feel free to eat anything must not look down on those who don’t. And those who don’t eat certain foods must not condemn those who do, for God has accepted them.
Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.
Reflection
Formation shows up in how we treat people who see things differently than we do.
Day 3 — Grace That Shapes Our Perspective
Romans 14:7–9 (NLT)
For we don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead.
Reflection
Formation reminds us that our lives are not centered on ourselves, but on honoring Christ.
Day 4 — Grace That Builds Others
Romans 14:17–19 (NLT)
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink, but of living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God, and others will approve of you, too. So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and try to build each other up.
Reflection
Grace asks a better question: not “What do I prefer?” but “What builds others up?”
Day 5 — Grace That Keeps Forming
Philippians 1:6 (NLT)
And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Reflection
Formation is not something we rush. It is a work God faithfully completes.
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