Alliance Fastpitch Network - Part 1: Agape Love

In February 2025, Jesus in the Circle in collaboration with Alliance Fastpitch launched a three-part Fruit of the Spirit devotional series centered on Galatians 5:22–23. Hosted through the Alliance Fastpitch platform, these Bible studies were created to encourage athletes, coaches, and families to grow deeper in their relationship with Christ while boldly living out their faith within the softball community and beyond.

Each devotional was written and led by pastors and ministry leaders who faithfully taught Scripture and challenged participants to walk in the character of Christ. The series also provided a powerful platform for current and former collegiate softball players to share personal testimonies of how God has moved throughout their athletic journeys. Through authentic conversations on faith, perseverance, identity, and purpose, these athletes inspired young players, parents, and coaches across the nation to pursue Christ both on and off the field.

Softball Devotional Fruit of the Spirit: Love (Agape) Read more about this event →

Agape love is self-giving, sacrificial love that seeks the best for others regardless of cost or response. This is God's love.

Agape Love Starts With God

We do not initiate agape love — God does!

"This is real love — not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as a sacrifice to take away our sins." 1 John 4:10 NLT

"But God showed his great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners." Romans 5:8 NLT

God loved us at our worst. That's the kind of love He wants us to live out — loving others at their worst.

Agape Love Looks Beyond Friends

Agape love focuses on the person, not just the friends.

"But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you!" Matthew 5:44 NLT

Staying focused despite the competition, frustration, or hurt feelings.

Agape Love Can Be Seen

Agape Love isn't just a feeling — it shows up in how we act and react.

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance." 1 Corinthians 13:4–7 NLT

This is what Agape Love looks like on and off the field!

Agape Love In Action

Jesus gave us a great example when He washed His disciples' feet.

"Before the Passover celebration, Jesus knew that his hour had come to leave this world and return to his Father. He had loved his disciples during his ministry on earth, and now he loved them to the very end... So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist, and poured water into a basin. Then he began to wash the disciples' feet, drying them with the towel he had around him." John 13:1–5 NLT

Jesus humbled Himself and chose to serve for the good of others. He didn't think of himself as more highly or better than.

Why Agape Love Matters

Agape Love is the driving force behind all we do — at home, at school, at work, and on the field.

• Others focused
• Motivating
• Initiating
• Encouraging
• Inspiring

Agape Love makes you a great teammate and inspires others to rise up!

How Do We Agape?

• Pray for God's wisdom and leading
• Seek God first in everything
• Put the needs of others before your own
• Serve without expecting recognition
• Choose to love people — even when it's hard
• Trust God to do the loving through us

Challenge

How can I show Agape Love to my teammates?