By: Precious Allitt

Jeremiah 17:7-8 (NASB)

"Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, and whose trust is the Lord. For he will be like a tree planted by the water that extends its roots by a stream, and will not fear when the heat comes; but its leaves will be green, and it will not be anxious in a year of drought, nor cease to yield fruit."  

Rooted in the Word: The Foundation of Spiritual Growth 

Let’s be real—life will try you. There will be seasons when the pressure is high, the stress is real, and it feels like you're barely hanging on. But here’s the good news: if your roots are deep, you won’t be shaken. That’s why this year’s theme, Rooted in Virtues: A Year of Spiritual Practice, is all about growing strong in the qualities that reflect Christ. And where does that growth start? In the Word of God. 

We can’t be rooted in virtues like love, patience, kindness, humility, and faithfulness if we’re not rooted in Scripture first. The Bible isn’t just a book—it’s our lifeline, our nourishment, our anchor. When we consistently read, study, and meditate on God’s Word, we become like that tree in Jeremiah 17—strong, steady, and unshaken by life's storms.  

Why Staying in the Word Matters 

1. The Word Anchors You

Life is unpredictable, but the Word of God is solid ground. When you’re anchored in Scripture, you’re not easily swayed by emotions, opinions, or circumstances.

🔹 Psalm 119:105 (NASB) – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”

Think of it this way: you wouldn’t trust a GPS that’s always rerouting you to the wrong place, right? But when you stay in the Word, you have clear direction straight from God. No confusion, no detours—just truth.

📖 Journaling Question: What Bible verse has been an anchor for you in hard times?

🙌 Affirmation: I will trust God’s Word to be my anchor in every season of life.


2. The Word Nourishes You

 Just like a tree needs water, you need the Word to grow spiritually. A weekly sermon is good, but it’s not enough—you need daily nourishment.

🔹 Matthew 4:4 (NASB) – “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes out of the mouth of God.’”

The world is full of noise—social media, news, opinions—but only God’s Word truly fills you up. When you feast on Scripture, you gain wisdom, strength, and peace that nothing else can provide.

📖 Journaling Question: How can I make time for daily Bible reading, even on busy days? 

🙌 Affirmation: I will feed my spirit daily with God’s Word, knowing it gives me life.
 

3. The Word Strengthens Your Roots 

The deeper your roots, the stronger your faith. When challenges come, those without a solid foundation struggle to stand, but those rooted in Scripture remain firm.

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

Life will bring storms, droughts, and dry seasons, but when you stay in the Word, you won’t wither. You’ll stand strong, keep growing, and continue bearing fruit—even when life is tough.

📖 Journaling Question: What tough season in my life revealed the strength of my spiritual roots?

🙌 Affirmation: I will plant myself in God’s truth so I can stand firm through any storm.  

Making Bible Reading a Habit

So how do we stay rooted in the Word this year?

✅ Start Small: You don’t have to read an entire book of the Bible in one sitting. Begin with a few verses and reflect on them.

✅ Use a Bible Plan: Our Bible reading plan for the year is a great way to stay consistent. (P.S.—If you haven’t started yet, today is the perfect day!)

✅ Take Notes & Journal: Write down what you’re learning, how it applies to your life, and how God is speaking to you through His Word.

✅ Pray Through Scripture: Don’t just read—pray about what you’ve read. Ask God to help you live it out.

✅ Stay Accountable: Join a small group, Bible study, or find a reading partner. Growth happens in community!  

Final Encouragement 

This year is about going deep in God’s Word, allowing it to transform our hearts and shape us into people who reflect His love and virtues. We won’t grow by accident—we grow by being intentional.

So, let’s commit to staying rooted in the Word. Let’s let the Bible be our foundation, our guide, and our source of strength as we grow deeper in faith and stronger in character.

📖 Journaling Question: How will I commit to reading and applying God’s Word this year?

🙌 Affirmation: I will stay rooted in the Word, allowing it to shape my heart and strengthen my faith.  

Let’s Grow Together!

 Are you ready to dig deeper into God’s Word this year? Let’s hold each other accountable, encourage one another, and grow together as we stay rooted in Scripture.