Firmly Rooted in Christ

This teaching explores what it means to build a strong spiritual foundation by being firmly rooted in Christ. When our lives grow from our identity in Christ, we find strength, stability, and gratitude in every season of life.

Estimated reading time: 5 minutes

Introduction

Today we are beginning a new year together.

Around the world, people start a new year thinking about change. They think about goals, habits, and improvement. Many people ask what they should do differently this year.

But before God ever talks about what we should do, He talks about who we are. And before He talks about growth, He talks about where we are rooted.

A tree does not grow strong because of what we see above the ground. It grows strong because of what is hidden below the ground. If the roots are weak, the tree will fall. If the roots are deep, the tree will stand.

The same is true in the Christian life.

A strong faith does not begin with activity. A strong faith begins with a strong foundation. That is why we are starting this year by talking about being firmly rooted in Christ.

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Growing Together

If these teachings help you grow in your faith, we invite you to stay connected with us. You are welcome to follow along each week as we continue learning and growing together as a global church family.

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Scripture Reading

Let us read together from Colossians 2:6-7:

Colossians 2:6-7

(6)  Just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in Him, (7)  rooted and built up in Him, strengthened in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.

These verses give us a clear picture of what a healthy Christian life looks like.

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Christ Is the Foundation of Our Life

The Apostle Paul begins by reminding believers how they started their faith. He says that just as we received Christ Jesus as Lord, we must continue to live our lives in Him.

We receive Christ by faith. But we must also continue in Christ by faith.

Jesus is not only the beginning of our faith. He is the center of our faith. He is the foundation of our life.

Many people treat Jesus like a doorway. They step through the door and then try to live life on their own. But Scripture teaches something different.

Jesus is not only the door. He is the foundation that holds everything together.

When Christ is the foundation, our faith becomes stable. Our hope becomes secure. Our direction becomes clear. When Christ is not the foundation, life becomes unstable. Fear increases. Confusion grows. Faith becomes weak.

Faith is not something we visit once a week. Faith is something we live in every day.

Take a moment to reflect honestly. What is your life truly built on right now? Is it built on Christ, or is it built on comfort, success, security, or approval? Only Christ can hold the weight of your life.

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Deep Roots Produce a Strong Life

Paul continues by saying that believers are to be rooted and built up in Christ.

Roots always grow before fruit appears. No plant grows strong overnight. In the same way, spiritual strength develops over time through deep roots in Christ.

Many people want visible growth without hidden depth. They want results without relationship. They want fruit without roots. But shallow roots lead to weak faith.

When trouble comes, shallow roots are exposed. When pressure increases, shallow roots fail. Deep roots, however, hold firm.

A believer with deep roots stands during hardship. A believer with deep roots trusts God during uncertainty. A believer with deep roots remains faithful during difficulty.

Deep roots grow through simple, daily faithfulness. They grow through prayer. They grow through Scripture. They grow through obedience. They grow through connection with the church family.

None of these practices are complicated. But they must be consistent.

Spiritual strength is not built in one moment. It is built in daily moments of faithfulness. Ask yourself honestly whether you are allowing your roots to grow deep in Christ, or whether you are only focused on what people can see.

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Growing Through Community

We encourage you to reflect on this and, if possible, share with others what helps you grow deeper roots in Christ. Our global church grows stronger when we learn from one another.

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Gratitude Is Evidence of Healthy Roots

Paul ends this passage by saying believers should be overflowing with thankfulness.

Gratitude is not just a feeling. It is a spiritual indicator. A thankful heart shows where trust is placed.

When gratitude flows easily, it shows confidence in God. When gratitude disappears, it often reveals fear or self-reliance.

Thankfulness does not mean life is easy. It means trust is strong.

A grateful believer says that God is faithful, God is present, and God is enough. Gratitude grows naturally when roots are deep.

Thankfulness also changes how we see God and how we face life. Practicing gratitude daily helps strengthen our trust in Him, even before circumstances change.

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Conclusion

As we begin this new year, God is not calling us to strive harder. He is calling us to grow deeper. He is calling us to be firmly rooted in Christ.

When Christ is our foundation, faith becomes steady, hope becomes secure, and growth becomes healthy. A strong year does not begin with better effort. A strong year begins with deeper roots.

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This Week

This week, we encourage you to take a few simple steps:

• Read Colossians chapter 2, verses 6 and 7 each day
• Ask God to show you what your life is rooted in
• Pray for deeper roots in Christ

Let this year begin with a strong foundation.

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Looking Ahead

Next week, we will talk about identity. We will explore what God says about who we are in Christ. When we believe His truth, we can live with confidence and peace.

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Explore the full Firmly Rooted series:
Firmly Rooted: Living from Identity in Christ

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For Leaders and Small Groups

Main Truth:
Spiritual growth begins with being firmly rooted in Christ.

Key Scripture:
Colossians 2:6–7

Discussion Questions:

1. What does it mean to be rooted in Christ?
2. What things compete for your trust and attention?
3. How do deep roots help during difficult seasons?
4. How does gratitude reveal spiritual health?

Suggested Practice:
Encourage group members to read Colossians 2:6–7 daily this week and share one way they are intentionally growing deeper roots in Christ.