This past Sunday we continued our conversation on favor and looked at one of the most fascinating verses in the life of Jesus:

"And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man." (Luke 2:52)

For years I've read that verse and wondered: How does Jesus grow in favor with God if He is already fully loved by the Father?

What emerged was a framework that has helped me think about favor in a deeper way.

Covenant Favor reminds us who we are to God. We are loved, wanted, welcomed, and accepted. This favor is rooted in God's nature, not our performance.

Formational Favor asks what God is doing in us. Throughout Scripture, favor often leads people into seasons of formation. Joseph, David, Moses, Mary, and even Jesus all experienced this reality. Favor didn't remove  ...