Rooted: In Christ
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Week 1
INTRO:
When Jesus starts his ministry, he doesn't do it from a stage or throne. Instead, he goes to the smaller, forgotten towns and begins to preach about the Kingdom of God. As he's calling his disciples, Jesus tells parables about a coming kingdom where the last are first, the strong are weak, and the will of God lines the streets.
In many ways, the Kingdom is already here. Death has been defeated and eternal life is available to all those who call on the name of Jesus. Simultaneously, we wait with expectation for the redemption of all creation. The Kingdom is both here and not yet. As we begin our Rooted series, let’s dive deeper into this hope.
WARM UP:
Let’s start with everyone sharing:
Encourage everyone to introduce themselves. For 30 seconds, share why you signed up for groups , and what you hope God will develop in you during this Rooted season.
▶️{Watch the Video}
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION:
What stood out to you from the video? What ideas or thoughts hit you? And why?
Read Hebrews 2:12
Seek the King. Scripture tells us that Jesus is the pioneer and perfecter of our faith. He is the head of the church, the preeminent one. Unlike worldly leaders. Jesus leads from the position of the servant. He lived out the Kingdom's ethics in every area of his life.
What does it practically look like to seek Jesus as King in your everyday decisions?
Name some of the “lesser kings” (success, comfort, approval, control) that tend to compete for first place in your life, and how do you recognize them?
In what ways does seeking the King point us out into our community?
Read Matthew 4:23-25
Walk in the Kingdom. Walking is an action, it requires intentionality and a direction. In this passage, every work Jesus does has direction - a Kingdom direction. Our time with the Father should cause us to turn our hearts to our neighbors.
Why is there a temptation to separate our vertical relationship (prayer, scripture, etc) with God from the horizontal (caring for the sick, taking care of the widow, etc.)?
How does understanding yourself as a citizen of the Kingdom and son/daughter of God change the way you see your everyday life and faith responsibilities?
Spend some time discussing practical ways to walk out the ways of the kingdom of God in our day to day.
Read Matthew 6:9-13
Pray For The Kingdom. After 40 days in the desert, crowds were forming around Jesus as he sat down on the side of a mountain near the Sea of Galilee. Famously, he gave the Sermon on the Mount. In it, he taught his disciples to pray for the Kingdom to come, on Earth as it is in Heaven.
Why does Jesus lead us to pray for the kingdom to come?
How have you found prayer to be formative in your life? Has prayer changed things for you? If so, how? If not, share.
What steps can you take to create a deeper prayer life? What do you need to give up to make that happen?
What big community focused prayers can we be praying concerning the coming Kingdom? Where can we invite God’s presence?
ACTION:
This week as a group, write down 3 big prayers for the Kingdom to move in our community.
Pray for our church, that we’d be kingdom focused in our pursuits for a forever home.
Rooted: In Love
Watch the Recap Video
Week 2
INTRO
Jesus spoke a lot about the coming Kingdom. His Church was to be a called-out assembly of people that was rooted in love. With Christ as the cornerstone, the Church has been moved to love its neighbors since its inception. We have stood beside the “least of these” through famine, disease, plagues, wars, disasters, and injustice.
What type of love is this? It’s love that overflows - it leans into people’s mess because they are worthy of dignity and hope. It's a love that doesn’t seek restitution or repayment. This love freely gives, because Christ freely gave to us.
WARM UP
Let’s start with everyone sharing:
Welcome to Week 2 of Rooted Groups! If you have a new member joining your group, please take a few minutes to get to know them. To kick off the discussion, everyone share the thing that impacted you the most from last week..
▶️{Watch the Video}
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
What stood out to you from the video? What ideas or thoughts hit you? And why?
Read John 3:16-17; Acts 2:42-47
The book of Acts gives us a glimpse of the early church, just years after its formation. We see them giving up what they have for the community, feeding one another, supporting the orphan and the widow, and being a light to the community. All of this, from the love of God.
What in your life do you love the most? How does that love drive you?
John writes, “God so loved the world.” Has it been challenging for you to receive the love that God has for you? Why or why not.
What changes in us when we know God’s love for us?
How can God’s love for you, and others, begin to impact the way you see your family, friends, neighbors, enemies and community at large?
Read John 13:35
Historical reports from antiquity tell us of Christians who loved their neighbors without concern for their own well-being. In the face of sickness, persecution, and death, Christians stayed.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer is a modern example of this type of action. He was a man that dedicated his life to the service of others in horrible circumstances.
What fears or comforts tend to hold you back from loving sacrificially? What could it look like in your life to put others before yourself?What stands out to you about Jesus saying love (not knowledge, gifting, or success) is the defining mark of His followers?
Considering the context of John 13 (foot-washing, betrayal, and the impending cross), what does Jesus mean by "love" here – a mere feeling, or something more profound and costly?
Read Acts 4:23-31
This is the prayer of the early Church that desperately needed the presence of God to overflow in their midst. When faced with opposition and uncertainty from religious authority, they took their concerns to God in prayer. God became their sustenance so they could carry on.
What role does the Holy Spirit play in how we live out God’s will?
As we explore what it means to be ‘rooted in love’ - What steps can we take to practically live out the love of God daily?
Jesus says in Matt 20:26 that “the first will be last, and the last will be first.” How can we live out our faith in light of this teaching?
ACTION
This week as a group, continue to pray for our church as we pursue a permanent home. Prayerfully identify one specific person God has placed in your life who may feel overlooked, burdened, or unseen. Before the week ends, initiate one intentional step toward them (a meal, a conversation, an act of service) without expecting anything in return. As you do, ask the Holy Spirit to help you love them the way Christ has loved you.
Rooted: In Unity
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Week 3
INTRO
In a world that constantly pulled people apart through social status, politics and preferences, Jesus prayed for something radically different - unity. On the night before His crucifixion, Jesus didn’t pray for comfort or ease, but that His followers would be one.
Unity is not uniformity, but something much deeper. In John 17, we see that our oneness is rooted under the name of Jesus, formed at the cross of Jesus, and shaped by the truth of Jesus. As we bring our differences and life experiences to the table, we can all be united under the banner of Christ, allowing our differences to shine like a mosaic. Let’s walk through what it means to me rooted in unity.
WARM UP
Let’s start with everyone sharing:
Welcome to Week 3 of Rooted Groups! Our prayer is that you have been able to form new relationships over the past 3 weeks. Let’s start with everyone sharing. Following last week’s action point, how did you show love to your neighbor, coworker, friend, etc.?
▶️{Watch the Video}
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
What stood out to you from the video? What ideas or thoughts hit you? And why?
Read John 17:11-12
Across the world, there are many different expressions of the Christian faith. People who speak different languages, sing different worship songs, and pray different prayers are all united under the banner of Christ. Our expressions may look different, but we find that unity without uniformity is a beautiful expression of the Church.
In 2026 America we find that unity has become one of our biggest mountains to climb. There are many different “names” that fight for our allegiance. What “name” most shapes your identity right now (career, politics, family, success, past failure, etc.) and how does that impact the way you relate to other believers?
What would it practically look like for our church community to put our allegiance “under the name of Jesus” rather than under our set preferences or affiliations?
Read Ephesians 2:14-16
“The ground is level at the foot of the cross”
-Billy Graham
Can you see it? The foot of the cross is made up of rocky, dry dirt, stained by the blood of innocence. Divinity took on humanity in Jesus and lived a perfect life - ultimately dying for our sins. His life laid down so we may know eternal joy and salvation. Suddenly, what type of car you drive doesn't matter. The number in your 401k is obsolete. Can you see it? We are all just sinners in need of an overwhelming grace. The ground remains level at the foot of the cross.
How does realizing “the ground is level at the foot of the cross” confront pride, comparison, or division in your own heart? Where in your life have you been tempted to put up barriers between you and someone else?
What does our unity at the cross say about the Kingdom of God?
Jesus’ message turns our attention to the Father and our neighbor. What's one “leveling act” you can do for someone in your life that needs to be reminded of the goodness of God?
Read John 8:31-32
Jesus is the Word. The Word became flesh, stepped down into humanity, and was full of grace and truth. We live in a world that loves to label lies as truth. If we aren’t careful, we can fall for those lies - leading us down the wrong path. Being united in truth means having a common goal on the road to the Kingdom.
How have you seen unity become strained when people are formed by different objective truths or narratives instead of God’s Word?
In a world with competing “truths”, how can we allow God’s Word to give us direction in our lives?
As a group, what practices can help us stay in step with the truth of God’s word in scripture and help us stay unified?
ACTION
This week as a group, pursue unity. Reach out to someone who is different from you (different background, generation, or perspective) and take one step toward them. Share a meal, pray together, or have an honest conversation.
Rooted: In the City
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Week 4
INTRO
The Church are not spectators in the city, but people rooted together in Christ for the sake of the city around us. Jesus calls His followers to live differently. In a world full of noise, tension, and shifting values, the church becomes a steady, visible community where God is in the midst.
Our lives are not random or isolated - they are purposeful, communal, and reflective of the way of Jesus. As we walk through these distinctives, we’re asking not just what the church is, but how we communally live as a “city within the city” for God’s glory.
WARM UP
Let’s start with everyone sharing:
Welcome to the last week of Rooted Groups! We hope that this rooted season has been full of connection. Don't stop here! If it works for everyone - explore what it would look like to keep growing together in Christ.
▶️{Watch the Video}
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
What stood out to you from the video? What ideas or thoughts hit you? And why?
Read Matthew 5:11-12; John 15:18-21
What’s your perspective? Jesus told us to be prepared because the world will hate us. Jesus took the hate, and responded with love. When people act with fear and pain, as Christians we should respond with love based in a heavenly perspective.
Jesus calls persecution and insult a “blessing”. How does that challenge our understanding of success, comfort, and faithfulness?
Where do you feel the tension between seeking approval and remaining faithful to Christ?
How might fixing your perspective on heaven reshape how you handle conflict or criticism from the world?
Read Matthew 5:13
Christians have a distinct presence in the world. “If we disappeared tomorrow, would our community miss us?” This question has been echoing through our church. The Church makes a difference in the world - always has, always will.
How does the imagery of salt and light challenge the way we engage our workplaces, neighborhoods, and relationships?
In the Letter from Birmingham Jail, Dr. King emphasizes we are not just to believe differently but to live visibly different lives. Where have you noticed yourself drifting toward cultural comfort rather than kingdom distinctiveness?
Read Matthew 5:17-19
Jesus lived his life in full dependence on his Father. Even though Jesus was God, we read about him praying day and night. Christ could have called angels to his defense, but he submitted to the Father’s will and went to the cross. Dependence on God is essential to living the Christian life.
Jesus connects obedience to the Word with spiritual stability - how does your daily relationship with the Word shape your decisions and priorities?
Where do you sense a gap between what you know about Jesus’ teachings and what is actually shaping your daily choices, attitudes, and habits?
What would it look like for the Truth to move from your head to your heart?
ACTION
Take one intentional step this week that reflects being “ROOTED”, whether through generosity, prayer, or serving. Ask God to align your heart with his mission for our church and city for generations to come.
Rooted: In Devotion
Watch the Recap Video
Week 5
INTRO
Over the last four weeks, we have been exploring what it means to be rooted. Have you ever seen an oak tree? I vividly remember seeing one on a farm in Central Texas. It had to be close to 105 degrees outside. Everything was dry, except for the oak tree. It stood in the middle of the field, unphased by the temperature around it. The tree was able to stand firm because of its deep roots under the surface.
Isaiah gives us powerful imagery in chapter 61 regarding Oaks of Righteousness. These oak trees not only thrive in the midst of devastation, but they restore what has been lost. If we are to be like these oaks, we have to be devoted in our faith and to our neighbor. In that way, the ruins will be rebuilt once more.
WARM UP
Let’s start with everyone sharing:
Take some time to explore what it would look like for your group to continue to meet.
▶️{Watch the Video}
QUESTIONS & DISCUSSION
What stood out to you from the video? What ideas or thoughts hit you? And why?
Read Isaiah 61:3-4, Acts 1:4-5
The early church was devoted to God's presence in a tangible way. Brother Lawrence has a work called "Practicing the Presence of God”. God’s presence is something we can step into through spiritual disciplines and community. It doesn't have to be ethereal - his presence can be tangible.
What areas of your life feel dry or spiritually empty? What steps could you take to make God’s presence tangible in those areas?
What does “remaining” in Jesus look like for you right now - not ethereally, but tangibly?
The Holy Spirit gives us power. Share about where you have seen the fruit of the Spirit blooming in your life.
Read Acts 2:42-47
The Word is not purely for consumption - we should be moved to action. James tells us that a faith without works is dead. There’s no life there. We are meant to be doers of the Word if we are going to be devoted to Jesus’ teachings.
Learn by doing. That might be the Cal Poly philosophy, but it also describes the ways of Jesus. Share about a time when Christ’s teachings moved you to action.
Is there something Jesus has been teaching you lately that you need to actively step into? What would that look like and how can your group come around you?
Read John 15:34-35
I’ve met many christians who believe that they can live their lives in isolation from the body of Christ. Why do I need the Church when I have Jesus? The Church is the body of Christ. We show the world how Christ loves us by loving each other well.
Have you ever experienced a season of isolation? How was your faith impacted?
How has this group fellowship strengthened your relationship with the Lord?
How can you make room in your life to bring others into Christ like friendships?
Read Matthew 6:19-21
Lead your heart. The early church sold their possessions, gave up comforts, and emptied their store houses for the betterment of the community. It wasn’t easy, but they did so in joy. We have the ability to lead our hearts towards joy in generosity.
What areas of your life (financially, relationally, emotionally) do you need to step into generosity?
Generosity establishes the roots of the Oak tree we spoke of early. Ecosystems flourish because we are planted and committed to the welfare of the city. How can you step into generosity as a group?
Take time to share prayers, hopes, fears, etc. around taking that step together.
ACTION
Choose one spiritual discipline and put it into practice this week. Practice the presence of God. Journal and reflect each day to watch how it impacts your week.