This is it, the last Rooted devotion. Discuss 1) Think about your Rooted experience. What are some highlights? What are one or two truths you want to take away from this time? 2) How have you heard God’s voice? 3) What’s the next step you will take toward fulfilling the purpose God has planned for you? 4) Begin thinking of words of affirmation for each person in your group. You will have time to share these at your last meeting. 5) Thank God for the time spent in Rooted. Thank Him for what you’ve learned, for the relationships you’ve strengthened, and for the perfect way He’s equipped you for your purpose here.
Looking back, a highlight of mine is truly that we all were able to stick together through all of this. Another thing though, is I know some of us shared some things we hadn’t known about each other before. Which is unique and I appreciate the vulnerability. We were really able to also dive into Jesus’s work and his love. I pray we as men remember that and take it with us to reciprocate . From leaders to servants to fishing for men to extending faith and displaying the joy in the Lord.
I was able to hear God’s voice in how I could step in sharing his word and truth in aspects of discipling.
I encourage you all to continue being in the word. I pray you guys maintain your quiet time with him. Whether it’s quick or long, it’s highly encouraged.
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for this rooted devotion, thank you for your word. Thank you for this group and the lessons you’ve taught us. I pray that there is at least one thing from this devotion that each of us could take and apply to our lives. The idea of iron sharpening iron was absolutely displayed throughout this devotional, where we’ve all checked on each other. I pray this continues as we all grow together as brothers in our relationship with each other and with you. I pray you continue to guide us all in your word, with some sort of frequency for each of us. Thank you God, we love you. I pray all these things in Jesus name, amen.
(from Roger)
1) as I think abt the rooted series, what has stood out the most to me has been getting to know my brothers more over these 10 weeks. Sure, when asked abt highlights, I think it’s normal for us to think abt certain activities or events, and those were definitely important too. I’ve loved, absolutely loved volunteering at country villa. It was amazing how I think we were all initially unsure what the experience was gonna hold and stood together as clients began to enter the activity room and abt 20 minutes later, I looked around the room and all my brothers spread out to various tables and were engaged in real conversations with people. We didn’t clump together and stay where we were most comfortable, we sort of just spread out and it appeared as if everyone was getting as much as I was getting out of the experience, so much so we went for round 2 the following week. But I’ll remember most how honest and authentic the shares were. We were able to be transparent and vulnerable, which isn’t easy and when someone was down, all members rallied around and prayed for one another. There was a camaraderie that was tangible. It felt good. And today I know prayers work and to know I was included in prayers to our lord is a big deal. I prob was never included in prayers before because I wasn’t present in peoples lives. That’s one of my main takeaways. One of the main truths I’ve taken away is how much god loves me and how worship and being in the lords word is a rhythm. I have to practice it and then it becomes part of my life. I’ve prayed more regularly and am just starting to read the Bible on a lesson plan. I’m excited abt that.
2) I’ve heard gods voice in my rooted group. I’ve heard it in their shares, in our small group, in other peoples struggles, when i listen. It’s still tough for me to clear my head and really listen for the lord. I am one self-centered self-absorbed mofo so it gets difficult at times to clear all my thoughts out but it does happen occasionally.
1. My rooted experience was really fulfilling and life changing, and Rooted has helped develop a rhythm of devotion to the Lord and it helped me be more vulnerable and it allowed me to put myself in the position of being fully known and fully loved. A truth I would like to take away is that we are not just members of the church but we are part of God’s family and as part of God’s family, we are to allow ourselves to be fully known and fully loved in the family.
2. Throughout the experience, I hear God has telling me and revealing to me that everything I do isn’t out of my skill, but everything is out of who I am and who I put my faith in. For living for God is not a skill issue, it is a faith issue.
3. The next step would be to proclaim the good news of Jesus to everyone and tell everyone how Rooted has helped me grow.
5. Dear God, thank you for the opportunity to do Rooted and thank you for helping me grow throughout this experience. Help me to get closer to you and grow even more even if Rooted is over. Thank you God. I pray in Jesus Name, Amen.
Niki
Highlights in this rooted series are reading about each person’s before story. I also really enjoyed the private reflection and being honest with the strongholds in my life. A truth I want to take away is the reminder to fight the spiritual battle with God’s armor and the power of the Holy Spirit. Also the truth of God’s love for all people, the marginalized, old, widow, weak. It’s so hard to love and show care to everyone especially when they created their mess. But if God thinks the way I think and view us the way I view, then we are all doomed and will not experience his loving grace and mercy. We are a bunch of underserving people, forgiven, and called to be his children with hope and purpose.
I heard God’s voice to show understanding and kindness to a friend. Also know God wants me to trust in his plans for my kids. The next step plan that is most important is for me to continue to pray for my kids to have a relationship with God and to understand and believe in God’s love through Jesus as their savior.
Some words of affirmation about our group. We are honest and share what’s on our mind what God teaches us. Honest with our feelings, care for each other through prayers and words of encouragement.
Dear God thank you for reminding me of your love in this rooted series. For instilling in me a time to reflection. Continue to strengthen the bond and fellowship we have in this small group of women so we can be a support and encouragement to each other. In Jesus name amen.
I think the thing I really enjoyed about rooted was about finances. That God is the owner and I’m the manager. It has given me a new outlook on money and finances. the next step God is leading me is with school counseling and just furthering my education to do god’s work in the school system. Lord I appreciate my brothers in this chat. I appreciate Dimitri for the companionship I have with him, I appreciate John for giving me the cold truth where even though it’s hard to hear it’s the right thing, I appreciate Isaiah for his servant heart at RP being fairly new and the willingness to serve, I appreciate Niko as well for how easy he is to talk to and the funny energy he brings to RP.
(Dylan)
Some highlights I can think of is creating memorable experiences with my friends and the community at church and also being able to deeply connect with God. In the beginning of this journey, I didn’t have a Firm understanding of Jesus and what it meant to have him in my life. Now as I take more steps to be closer with him, I can see what it means to be a believer. I’ve heard gods voice in the blessings he’s given me and how I was able to learn from certain events in my life. In my next steps, I will continue to show dedication toward my religion. As for my team members, they are resilient, brave, dedicated, and aren’t afraid of showing their beliefs. They have such good qualities and they inspire me every step of the way. I thank gos for what he has done for me and what he will do for me in the future. Thank you!
A highlights I’ve experienced is how through these devotions. Even when I feel far from God. I am still able to understand his Word which means that he isn’t far away. That gives me the confidence and faith to keep going and to trust in him. I have heard God’s voice through the reflecting moments I have have within these devotional. The next step working towards my purpose is to continue to ask God to challenge me and to follow through with them.
Thank you everyone for being committed and disciplined in doing this basically everyday. I am encouraged by your stories and journeys and it has helped me stay faith to God and see him in different ways.
Lord, thank you for what I have learned in this Rooted Series, the brothers here. Help us to continue to strive to live for your purpose and not ours. Thank you Lord. In Jesus name, Amen
As I think about my rooted experience, I was taught the magnitude of His love. I am always glad to know and learn so much during my devotional periods every time. I am glad to know how people in our group can trust and rely on God because of His love and salvation. I have never heard God’s voice unfortunately , but I have heard it through the people in my community. Before I could act, the voice of God changed my behavior. The step to fulfilling the purpose God has planned for me is to have the courage to fully trust His plan. Knowing that he has a plan for me allows me to live without being rushed. Dear God, my time spent with this book, Rooted, has enriched my knowledge of me. I have many questions about you and the Bible. I am glad now that the doubts are becoming less and less. I am so grateful to the members of the community, especially the people in this group and Hoa and people in college group, who helped me to believe that, and I am so grateful to you for giving them that strength. I pray that you will help me to have the opportunity to learn more about you.
From Cyndi
Thank you ladies for joining this group with me. It has kept me rooted 😍.
Highlights: the deep shared stories, senior service project, the daily readings, one-hour prayer. To continue to be rooted in prayer, spending time in God’s Word daily, and be in community and stay connected with you ladies and other members of the church.
God has been putting on my heart to share my faith story and do more service projects.
Louise: your vulnerability in sharing your past experiences and overcoming your negative situations and emotions takes a lot of courage.
Thao: your humbleness and heart for reaching out to others and sharing God’s love is admirable.
Alex: your creativity and serving God with what you have is encouraging and inspiring.
God thank you for this Rooted study. May we all continue to grow together, serve and love together, and do life together! Amen.