By: JC Carter, IV

“Blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in Him. They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)

This year, as we embrace our theme, “Rooted in Virtues: A Year of Spiritual Practice,” we are called to immerse ourselves in God’s Word with depth and intentionality. Our tagline—Go Deep, Grow Deep, Stay Rooted!—is a charge to every believer to pursue a stronger, richer, and more enduring faith by anchoring ourselves in Scripture.

A shallow faith will waver in difficult times, but when we commit to digging deep into God’s truth, allowing it to shape our lives, and remaining steadfast in it, we will bear fruit that lasts. Let’s break down this call to action and see how each part guides us in our study of God’s Word.

1. Go Deep: Immerse Yourself in God’s Word

“But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night.” – Psalm 1:2 (NASB)

To go deep means to move beyond surface-level engagement with Scripture. Reading a few verses occasionally is not enough to sustain spiritual growth. Instead, we must immerse ourselves in God’s Word, meditate on it, and seek deeper understanding.

Going deep in the Word requires:
• Consistency – Making time daily to study, not just skimming but digging in with intention.
• Reflection – Asking, What does this passage reveal about God? How does it apply to my life?
• Application – Letting Scripture transform our actions, attitudes, and decisions. 

Jesus reminds us in Matthew 7:24-25 (NASB):

“Therefore, everyone who hears these words of Mine, and acts on them, will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell and the floods came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and yet it did not fall, for it had been founded on the rock.”

A deep foundation in the Word ensures that when storms come, we stand firm. This year, let’s go beyond the surface and dive deep into the richness of God’s truth.

2. Grow Deep: Let the Word Transform You

“Therefore, as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him, having been firmly rooted and built up in Him, and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude.” – Colossians 2:6-7 (NASB)

Growth is a process that happens beneath the surface before it is ever seen outwardly. Just as roots grow deep before a tree flourishes, we must allow the Word to take root in our hearts and transform us from the inside out.

Growing deep in faith means:
• Letting the Holy Spirit teach and convict us through the Word.
• Developing a stronger spiritual foundation that resists doubt, fear, and worldly distractions.
• Bearing the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), showing evidence of real transformation. 

Growth doesn’t always feel fast or visible, but just as a tree’s roots are unseen, the work God is doing in us through His Word is powerful and necessary. If we stay committed to studying and living out Scripture, we will mature in wisdom, discernment, and character.

3. Stay Rooted: Remain Steadfast in God’s Truth

“I am the vine, you are the branches; the one who remains in Me, and I in him bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.” – John 15:5 (NASB)

Going deep and growing deep are essential, but we must also stay rooted—meaning we do not waver when challenges come. Life will bring seasons of trials, doubt, and spiritual dryness, but when we are firmly planted in God’s Word, we remain unshaken.

To stay rooted in the Word, we must:
• Commit to lifelong study – Not just when we feel inspired, but as a daily discipline.
• Surround ourselves with biblical community – Staying accountable to other believers who encourage our growth.
• Trust in God’s faithfulness – Standing on His promises no matter what we face. 

Jesus warns in Matthew 13:20-21 (NASB) about those with shallow faith:

“The one sown with seed on the rocky places, this is the one who hears the word and immediately receives it with joy; yet he has no firm root in himself, but is only temporary, and when affliction or persecution occurs because of the word, immediately he falls away.”

A faith that is not deeply rooted will not withstand hardship. But when we remain connected to Christ and anchored in His Word, we flourish even in difficult seasons.

Living Out Our Call This Year

This year’s call—Go Deep, Grow Deep, Stay Rooted!—is an invitation to pursue spiritual maturity through God’s Word.

• Go Deep – Seek a richer understanding of Scripture.
• Grow Deep – Let God’s truth transform your character.
• Stay Rooted – Hold fast to His Word through every season. 

The more we immerse ourselves in God’s Word, allow it to shape our lives, and stand firm in it, the more we will see the fruit of a strong, unwavering faith.

Let’s commit this year to not just knowing the Word, but living it out boldly!

Let’s go deep, grow deep, and stay rooted!