By: Eld. Josiah Fairchild

Deepening Our Faith Through God’s Word

“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)

As we embark on this new year, our theme, “Rooted in Virtues: A Year of Spiritual Practice,” calls us to cultivate a faith that is deep, steadfast, and fruitful. Just as a tree must send its roots deep into the earth to remain strong against the storms, we must anchor ourselves in God’s Word to stand firm in our faith. The deeper our roots grow, the more we will reflect the virtues of Christ in our daily lives.

The Call to Be Rooted

Being rooted in God’s Word means more than simply reading scripture—it is about dwelling in His truth, absorbing His wisdom, and allowing His Word to shape our character. A tree cannot thrive without deep roots, and in the same way, we cannot grow spiritually if we are not consistently drawing nourishment from the Bible.

Psalm 1:2-3 beautifully illustrates this:

“But his delight is in the Law of the Lord, and on His Law he meditates day and night. He will be like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in its season, and its leaf does not wither; and in whatever he does, he prospers.” – Psalm 1:2-3 (NASB)

When we meditate on God's Word, it transforms us from within, producing virtues that reflect the heart of Christ—love, patience, kindness, humility, and faithfulness.

Spiritual Growth Through Practicing Virtue

Virtues are not just ideals; they are the evidence of a life transformed by the Word of God. As we immerse ourselves in Scripture, God refines our character and teaches us how to walk in His ways.

Paul reminds us in Colossians 2:6-7:

“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)

Walking in Christ requires both study and practice. We must be intentional about growing in virtue by applying God’s truth to our everyday lives. As we study the Word, we should ask:

• How does this passage shape my understanding of godly character?
• What areas of my life need to be refined by the Holy Spirit?
• How can I actively practice the virtues I read about?

A Year of Spiritual Practice

Growth is a process. Some seasons will feel full of life and momentum, while others may feel slow and challenging. But if we remain rooted in the Word, we will always grow.

Jesus Himself emphasized the importance of remaining connected to Him:

“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)

To grow in virtue, we must remain in Christ—abiding in His Word, seeking His wisdom, and aligning our lives with His truth. This is not a passive process but an active commitment to spiritual discipline.

The Role of Bible Study in Our Growth

Bible study is not just about acquiring knowledge—it is about transformation. This year, as we focus on being rooted in virtues, we must approach Scripture with open hearts and a willingness to change.

James 1:22 urges us:

“But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not just hearers who deceive themselves.” – James 1:22 (NASB)

A tree does not bear fruit by simply existing—it must receive nourishment, grow steadily, and withstand challenges. Likewise, we bear spiritual fruit when we:

• Study the Word with intentionality – Seeking to understand God's truth, not just reading for the sake of reading.
• Meditate and reflect – Allowing Scripture to penetrate our hearts and reshape our thoughts.
• Apply what we learn – Putting biblical virtues into practice in our daily interactions.
• Stay consistent – Committing to ongoing growth, even when it feels difficult.

Rooted, Growing, and Bearing Fruit

As we step into this Year of Spiritual Practice, let us commit to going deep in the Word, growing deep in faith, and staying rooted in Christ. The more we cultivate godly virtues, the more we will reflect the love, grace, and wisdom of Christ in our lives.

May this year be one where we seek God more fervently, study His Word more diligently, and practice His virtues more faithfully.

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