Recap:

As we step into 2025, it is essential to pause and reflect on the foundation of our faith and our relationship with God. The word for this year is rooted—a call for believers to deepen their faith, strengthen their understanding of God, and live lives anchored in His truth.

The inspiration for this focus comes from Colossians 2:6-7, where Paul exhorts believers:

“Just as you accepted Christ Jesus as your Lord, you must continue to follow him. Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

This call to be rooted is not merely about intellectual understanding but about transformation—a journey from knowing about God to truly knowing Him.

The Hunger for Scripture

Conversations within our community have revealed a shared desire to engage with Scripture more deeply. A young man expressed feeling overwhelmed by the Bible’s complexity. An older couple shared their longing to read through the entire Bible for the first time. These stories, marked by hunger for God’s Word, are a testament to the Spirit’s work among us.

However, challenges remain. Many, like a woman I spoke with recently, struggle with picking and choosing parts of the Bible to believe, embracing the comforting truths about Jesus’ love while disregarding the fullness of Scripture. This selective approach to faith misses the beauty of the Bible as a unified revelation of God’s character and His plan for humanity.

As believers, we must embrace the whole counsel of God—from Genesis to Revelation—acknowledging its authority and relevance for our lives.

Knowing God and Knowing Ourselves

The theologian John Calvin profoundly stated, “The kind of wisdom we should truly value comes down to two main things: knowing God and knowing ourselves.” This dual focus will guide us in the weeks ahead.

  1. Knowing God
    God’s self-revelation to Moses in Exodus 3:14—”I AM WHO I AM”—declares His unchanging nature. He is eternal, constant, and perfect. From the grandeur of creation to the intimacy of His presence, God is both powerful and personal.
    Scripture reminds us of this truth repeatedly:

    • Psalm 90:2: “From everlasting to everlasting, you are God.”
    • Isaiah 40:8: “The grass withers and the flowers fade, but the word of our God stands forever.”
  2. God’s unchanging nature assures us that His promises are trustworthy. Whether facing financial uncertainty, relational struggles, or global crises, we can rest in the truth that He is sovereign and faithful.
  3. Knowing Ourselves
    Alongside knowing God, we must also recognize our own limitations and need for Him. Humanity is prone to sin, failure, and self-deception. Yet, in acknowledging our weakness, we open ourselves to God’s transforming grace.
    Romans 3:23 declares: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” But the gospel reminds us that through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we are redeemed and made new.

Practical Steps for 2025

To help us grow deeper in our faith, several opportunities will be offered:

  1. Read One Book
    Choose between God’s Big Picture by Vaughn Roberts, an accessible overview of the Bible’s grand narrative, or Knowing God by J.I. Packer, a classic exploration of God’s character and attributes.
  2. Memorize One Verse
    Commit Romans 3:23 to memory as a foundation for understanding humanity’s need for salvation.
  3. Attend One Class
    On January 29, a special session will delve into knowing God and knowing ourselves, drawing from Scripture and timeless theological insights.
  4. Pray and Read Weekly
    Set aside five minutes, five times a week, to reflect on Scripture and seek God in prayer. Resources and guides will be available to help you stay consistent.

A God Who is Both Powerful and Personal

In Exodus, God’s name, “I AM WHO I AM,” speaks not only of His eternal nature but also His personal involvement in our lives. He promises to be what we need Him to be—our Provider, Healer, Comforter, and Redeemer.

Psalm 139 beautifully captures this truth:

“You know everything about me… You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother’s womb.”

This is the God we serve: vast in power, yet intimately acquainted with our needs and desires.

An Invitation to Respond

As we close, let us reflect: Have we made God too small in our lives? Have we allowed fear, doubt, or complacency to diminish our view of His greatness?

For those who have never made the decision to follow Christ, today is an opportunity to invite Him into your life. Through Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, God offers forgiveness, redemption, and a fresh start.

For believers, this year is a chance to deepen your roots in Christ. Choose to trust Him fully, surrender your worries, and embrace His truth.

Let us pray:
Lord, may we be rooted in You in 2025. Help us to grow strong in Your truth, to know You deeply, and to live transformed lives. Draw us closer to You and reveal Yourself to us in new and powerful ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Let’s commit together: When we are rooted in God, we grow strong in the truth. May this be the year we live rooted lives for His glory.

Group Questions:

Icebreaker Questions

  1. If you were a tree, what kind of tree would you be and why?
  2. What’s one goal or word you’ve chosen to focus on for 2025?
  3. What’s a book, verse, or sermon that has rooted or encouraged your faith recently?

Main Questions

  1. Colossians 2:6-7 encourages us to let our roots grow deep into Christ. What does being “rooted” in Christ mean to you personally?
  2. The sermon emphasized the difference between knowing about God and knowing God. How have you experienced this distinction in your faith journey?
  1. How does God’s unchanging nature, as described in Exodus 3:14 and Psalm 90:2, bring comfort during life’s uncertainties?
  2. Psalm 139 highlights God’s intimate knowledge of us. How does this truth impact your view of your relationship with Him?
  1. One struggle mentioned was picking and choosing parts of the Bible to believe. Have you ever faced this temptation, and how did you work through it?
  2. Romans 3:23 reminds us of our need for salvation. How can acknowledging our weakness lead to a deeper connection with God?
  1. Of the suggested steps for 2025 (reading a book, memorizing a verse, attending a class, or consistent prayer and reading), which do you feel most drawn to, and why?
  2. How can we, as a small group, encourage one another to stay rooted in Christ throughout the year?
  1. Reflecting on the question from the sermon: Have you made God too small in your life? How can you expand your view of His greatness in 2025?
  2. What does it look like for you to live a “rooted” life daily? What changes might God be calling you to make this year?

Closing Prayer Activity

Invite group members to pray for one another, asking God to deepen their roots in Christ and strengthen their faith in 2025. Encourage them to share one specific area where they’d like to grow.