GET ROOTED IN THE WORD
Get Rooted – Growing Deep Roots in a Shallow World
“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17 (NIV)
WHY TRUST THE WORD – THE BIBLE?
1. THE BIBLE IS RELIABLE – Historically Proven
- Manuscript Evidence: There are over 25,000 ancient New Testament manuscripts — more than any ancient text in history. Compare that to Homer’s Iliad (1,800 copies) or Plato’s Dialogues (a few hundred).
- Archaeological Confirmation: Every major archaeological discovery keeps confirming, not contradicting, Scripture — from the walls of Jericho to the Dead Sea Scrolls.
- Consistency Across Centuries: Written over 1,500 years, 66 books, by 40+ authors from different walks of life, 3 different continents, 3 different languages— yet one unified story: God’s redemptive love through Christ.
Provocative Question: If God wanted to preserve His truth through time, what more could He have done than what we already see in the Bible?
2. THE BIBLE IS INSPIRED – God’s Breath on Every Page: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Provocative Truth: If the Bible is God-breathed, then ignoring it isn’t just missing information — it’s missing transformation.
3. THE BIBLE IS POWERFUL – It Changes Lives
“For the word of God is alive and powerful. It is sharper than the sharpest two-edged sword, cutting between soul and spirit, between joint and marrow. It exposes our innermost thoughts and desires.” Hebrews 4:12 (NLT)
Reflective Thought: The Bible doesn’t just inform you; it forms you.
4. THE BIBLE IS PERSONAL – God Speaks Through It Today
“Give ear and come to me; listen, that you may live…” Isaiah 55:3 (NIV)
KEY THOUGHT: The Bible reads you while you read it.
WHAT THE WORD DOES FOR YOU
POINT 1: THE WORD INSTRUCTS YOU ABOUT LIFE
“For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light, and correction and instruction are the way to life.” Proverbs 6:23 (NIV)
POINT 2: THE WORD DIRECTS YOUR LIFE TO THE TRUTH
“All your words are true; all your righteous laws are eternal.” Psalm 119:160 (NIV)
“… If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31–32 (NIV)
POINT 3: THE WORD DEVELOPS YOUR CHARACTER: 2 Timothy 3:16–17
Reflection: What part of your life is God’s Word trying to correct right now? What are you feeding your soul with every day?
HOW DO I GET ROOTED IN THE WORD JAMES 1:19-25
- RECEIVE IT WITH MY EARS.
“… Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the Word [of] Christ.” Romans 10:17 (NIV)
- READ IT WITH MY EYES.
“… But the man who LOOKS INTENTLY into the perfect law that gives freedom, and CONTINUES to do this, NOTFORGETTING what he has heard, but DOING IT—he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:22-25 (NIV)
- RESEARCH IT WITH MY HANDS AND WITH MY MOUTH.
“You search the Scriptures because you [believe] they give you eternal life. [And] the Scriptures point to me!” John 5:39 (NLT)
- REVIEW AND REMEMBER WITH MY MIND.
“The man who looks intently into the perfect law … and CONTINUES to do this, NOT FORGETTING what he has heard but doing it, he will be blessed in what he does.” James 1:25 (NIV)
“[Do not let this Book of the Law depart from your mouth]; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful.” Joshua 1:8 (NIV)
- RESPOND WITH MY ACTION.
“Do not merely listen to the Word, and so deceive yourselves. DO what it says!” James 1:22 (NIV)
“Everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock…” Matthew 7:24-27 (NIV)