After all the turmoil in DC this week, it is assuring to remember our security is founded in courts that are unassailable. Last week we dove into Paul's prayer for us to know the comprehensiveness of God's love. This week we return to that prayer to focus on two words: "rooted" and "grounded." How do we practically drive these truths into our hearts? Frankly, some of the images coming out of Washington simply stunned me. I am still processing the implications. But that was shockingly bad news. How might we do that with astoundingly good news? As Jesus said, "Man does not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God" (Mt.4:4). Let's eat.
Discussion Questions
Where have you found grounding in the past, that when threatened or removed from it, it’s like you were uprooted and fearful of withering away?
Why we need to be rooted.
Roots are a means of nutrients and provide security. What are some of your daily or hourly habits that are sustaining your goals, for good and for bad? What are your goals exactly?
Describe a crisis moment in your life that rattled you, but later revealed that your security was in something hollow or shallow. Share about a paradigm shift you’ve made or a drastic change of focus, because you wanted to draw on something deeper and more robust. How is any of this different between those who trust in Christ and those who don’t? After all, doesn’t everyone make drastic changes as they mature, regardless if they rely on the Bible or not?
What roots are.
Describe various understandings of meditation in our culture today. What does meditation mean according to the Scriptures, as explained in the sermon? Look at Psalm 1:2 and Joshua 1:8.
Pressure in the form of a vacuum or overload can be a metaphor for what’s missing from or what’s flowing out of our spiritual lives. How does God’s Word contribute to our spiritual health when we fill ourselves with it or eat it? When has Scripture oozed out of you, as if it came from a reserve or someplace down deep?
Dogs and cows go for ALL of the nutrients. Talk about a passage of Scripture, biblical story, or even a sermon that took on new meaning long after you originally experienced it. Sure, we could all use more, but would you say you’ve had a solid foundation of Scriptural awareness, teaching, or memorization? In other words, do you feel thankful (not a boast) or inadequate?
Every time Jesus was tempted by Satan in Matthew 4:1-11 He quoted Scripture. God’s Word oozed out of Him, and naturally so - Jesus is the incarnate Word. What do you meditate on day and night that oozes out of you, for good or for bad? What is social media, political podcasts, or the news cycle doing to you?
How we get roots.
Many of us invest time in Christian podcasts or books about the Book, but not the Book itself. What would be a realistic, daily discipline for you to engage in to get at more of the source?
From the following recommendations and resources, which would be a good next-step to help you grow in the spiritual discipline of Scriptural meditation? What do you need to remove from your schedule or habits to make this work, practically, as a lifestyle? Read Mark or John, then move on to Romans. Read the whole New Testament. Read the whole Bible. The Daily Audio Bible: read and recorded every day - the whole Bible read to you in a year. dailyaudiobible.com Memorize it. Navigators has a launching point. navigators.org/resource/topical-memory-system/
Gospel: God entered into our filth to cleanse us and make us righteous. We cannot clean ourselves up or leave our mess. The Word became flesh and dwelt among us. (John 1:14) He has given us tangible ways to eat of His essence and get Himself into us so that our mess might be replaced with his holiness. Let’s eat and live out of an overflow of Who He is.
