2026 "Rooted" Discipleship

This year, our church family has been on a year-long discipleship initiative called Rooted: Growing through Scripture Memory and Spiritual Disciplines. Each month we focus on one spiritual discipline, learning what it is and how it helps us deepen our relationship with Jesus. With each discipline, a larger Scripture passage is offered each month for those who wish to read, study, and/or memorize it. Additionally, a weekly Bible memory verse is introduced each Sunday. This is for everyone, from children to senior adults. Scripture memory can be practiced together in small groups, families, among friends friendships, and shared in creative ways, including reciting to staff or submitting video recordings throughout the year. As a church, we are celebrating our progress together, tracking how much Scripture we are learning, and enjoying occasional fun challenges along the way.

All of this is with the shared goal of growing more deeply rooted in Jesus Christ and His Word.

-Rev. Jennifer Mullins

Prayer is the foundation of a growing relationship with God and a central practice of Christian faith. Through prayer, we approach God personal ly and with confidence, bringing our praise, confession, gratitude, and requests to Him, trusting that He hears and responds to us. God’s Word tel ls us to “draw near with confidence” to “present our requests to God” and to “pray without ceasing.” Prayer is not meant to be empty repetition, rote tradition or a performance, but prayer is to be practiced as a dai ly expression of faith and dependence on the Lord. We need to remember that God invites each bel iever to come near to Him and to grow in relationship with Him through a l ife of ongoing conversation and trust.

Monthly Passage: 2 Chronicles 7:14–15

Week of…

Jan 4 – Philippians 4:6

Jan 11 – James 5:16

Jan 18 – Jeremiah 29:12–13

Jan 25 – Isaiah 26:3

Scripture memory and meditation are key disciplines to help anchor our lives deep into God’s truth and help us grow in a deeper knowledge and understanding of Him. When we read, memorize, and reflect on God’s Word, we allow it to shape our thoughts, form our mindsets and characters, guide our decisions, and transform our hearts. This discipline is not about merely rote learning and basic repetition nor is it about collecting information. Memorizing and fixing our thoughts on God’s Word slows us down to listen to Him and to focus on what He is saying. His truth will then take root within us. And when we “hide His Word in our hearts”, as it says in Psalm 119:11, are more able to “live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God.” (Colossians 1:10)“

Monthly Passage: Psalm 119:9–16 or 97–105

Week of…

Feb 1 – Psalm 37:3–4

Feb 8 – Joshua 1:8 (8-9)

Feb 15 – Hebrews 4:12

Feb 22 – Romans 10:17

Bible Study is a phrase we hear often in church life, and because it is so familiar to us as Christians, it can become white noise amid our spiritual routines. Yet the practice of Bible study is one of the most crucial disciplines for healthy growth and true Christian maturity. Bible study is more than attending a class or hearing a lesson; it is the intentional work of opening God's Word to understand it's context, its meaning and how it transforms our characters and shapes our lives. While daily reading and meditation nourish us and encourage us, digging deeply into scripture through study, strengthens and equips us. Through careful Bible study, we grow in our understanding of God's character and we see clearly His redemptive story through Jesus Christ. When we take time to observe, to ask questions, to process and seek understanding, the Holy Spirit anchors us deeper in God's truth. Bible study protects us from shallow faith, and leads us to a deeper, more grounded... more rooted faith... which allows us to stand strong and thrive as Christ-followers, in every season.  

Monthly Passage: John 1:1-5

Week of…

Mar 1 – Genesis 1:1

Mar 8 – John 1:1

Mar 15 – Proverbs 3:5–6

Mar 22 – Hebrews 11:6

Mar 29 – Isaiah 40:31

Silence and solitude are the disciplines of intentionally stepping away from noise, busyness, and distraction in order to be alone with God. Throughout scripture, we learn that God often speaks most clearly when His people are quiet and still before Him. (Psalm 46:10). In silence we quiet our hearts and in solitude, we remove all of the competing voices around us so that we can focus solely on His. Jesus made it a priority to "go off alone to pray" and throughout the Gospels, we see how Jesus made this discipline a priority because His relationship with His Father was most important. This discipline is not about isolation, but it is about being intimate with God making space for confession, renewal, and a focus on God's presence. When we withdraw to be alone with the Lord, we learn to rest in His strength and we train our hearts to listen, trust and more fully depend on Him. 

Monthly Passage: Psalm 51:1-12

Week of…

Apr 5 – Isaiah 41:10 

Apr 12 – Colossians 3:1–3

Apr 19 – Philippians 4:13

Apr 26 – 2 Corinthians 12:9

Fasting is the spiritual discipline of voluntarily giving up something, most often food, for a period of time in order to focus more fully on God. It is a beautiful way of humbling ourselves before God and expressing our dependence on Him. Fasting is not about earning God's favor or offering some proof of our spirituality. It is about creating space for prayer, repentance, and renewed surrender. When we experience a desire or hunger for that which we are fasting, we are reminded of our deep need for God and we turn our hearts toward Him. Fasting is also a reminder of the sacrifice Christ made for us in giving His life for us on the cross. The discipline of fasting redirects our attention toward God, helps strengthen self-control and helps us think on eternal things rather than temporary comforts. When we deny ourselves, we learn to seek God more and trust Him more completely.  

Monthly Passage: Matthew 6:9–18

Week of…

May 3 – Romans 12:1–2

May 10 – Galatians 2:20

May 17 – Hebrews 12:1–3

May 24 – Micah 6:8

May 31 – 1 Corinthians 10:13

Simplicity is the spiritual discipline of intentionally removing distractions, excess, and unnecessary burdens in order to focus more fully on God and the life He has called us to live. In a world that constantly encourages busyness, comparison, and the pursuit of more, simplicity teaches us to rest in the truth that God alone is enough to sustain and satisfy us. Scripture reminds us that there is “a time for every purpose under heaven” and that God makes everything beautiful in His time. Simplicity helps us realign our hearts with eternal priorities rather than temporary pursuits. This discipline is not about living with less merely for the sake of less, but about living with greater intentionality, contentment, and trust in God’s provision. When we choose simplicity, we make room for gratitude, peace, generosity, and a deeper awareness of God’s presence in our daily lives. Through this discipline, we learn to seek first the things of God and to find joy in what truly matters.

Monthly Passage: Ecclesiastes 3:1–11

Week of…

Jun 7 – Philippians 4:19

Jun 14 – Matthew 5:16

Jun 21 – Romans 8:28

Jun 28 – Genesis 1:26–27

Submission and serving one another are the spiritual disciplines of humbly placing the needs of others before ourselves and willingly following the example of Christ. Throughout scripture, we see that true greatness in the Kingdom of God is found not in power or recognition, but in humility, love, and service. Jesus demonstrated this perfectly when He took on the nature of a servant and gave His life for others. Submission is not about weakness or losing value, but about surrendering our pride, selfishness, and personal agendas in order to reflect the heart of Christ. As we serve one another with gentleness, patience, and love, we demonstrate the unity and compassion that God desires for His people. This discipline teaches us to honor others, to put love into action, and to seek the good of those around us above our own comfort. When we humbly serve as Christ served, our hearts become more like His and our lives become a testimony of His love.

Monthly Passage: Philippians 2:1–11

Week of…

Jul 5 – Mark 12:29–31

Jul 12 – Galatians 5:22–23

Jul 19 – Colossians 3:1–17

Jul 26 – 1 John 3:16

Evangelism and witness are the spiritual disciplines of faithfully sharing the truth of the Gospel and living in a way that points others to Jesus Christ. Before ascending into heaven, Jesus commanded His followers to “go and make disciples of all nations,” reminding us that every believer has been called to share the hope found in Him. Evangelism is not simply about speaking words, but about reflecting the love, grace, and truth of Christ through our everyday lives. As we grow in our relationship with God, we become witnesses to His transforming power and His saving grace. This discipline requires courage, compassion, and a willingness to trust the Holy Spirit to work through us. Whether through conversations, acts of kindness, or the testimony of a faithful life, God uses His people to draw others to Himself. When we share the Gospel, we participate in God’s mission and proclaim the good news that salvation and eternal life are found through Jesus Christ alone.

Monthly Passage: Matthew 28:19–20

Week of…

Aug 2 – Acts 1:8

Aug 9 – Romans 10:9–10

Aug 16 – 1 Peter 3:15–16

Aug 23 – John 3:16–17

Aug 30 – Romans 5:8

Worship is the spiritual discipline of responding to God with reverence, love, and wholehearted devotion for who He is and what He has done. It is more than music or a Sunday gathering; it is a life centered on honoring God in everything we think, say, and do. Scripture calls us to declare His greatness and remember that He alone is worthy of our praise. As Psalm 145 reminds us, God’s greatness is unsearchable, and His kingdom is everlasting. Worship helps reorient our hearts away from self and toward the beauty, holiness, and goodness of God. As we practice this discipline, we grow in gratitude, deepen our awareness of His presence, and learn to find true joy in Him alone.

Monthly Passage: Psalm 145:1-12

Week of…

Sep 6 – John 10:10

Sep 13 – Hebrews 11:1

Sep 20 – Revelation 3:15–16

Sep 27 – Philippians 1:6

Fellowship is the spiritual discipline of intentionally living in Christ-centered community with other believers. God calls His people not only to follow Him personally, but to walk together in unity, love, and encouragement. Scripture urges us to “spur one another on toward love and good deeds,” reminding us that faith is strengthened in community. Fellowship is expressed through relationships marked by honesty, prayer, support, and shared life in Christ. This discipline helps us grow in love, humility, and accountability as we walk alongside others in the faith. As we commit to fellowship, we reflect the heart of Christ and experience the strength and encouragement God designed for His Church.

Monthly Passage: Romans 12:9-18

Week of…

Oct 4 – Hebrews 10:24–25

Oct 11 – Romans 8:38–39

Oct 18 – 1 Peter 5:6–10

Oct 25 – John 14:27

Stewardship is the spiritual discipline of faithfully managing everything God has entrusted to us—our time, abilities, resources, and opportunities—for His glory. Scripture reminds us in Psalm 24 that “the earth is the Lord’s, and everything in it,” teaching us that nothing we have ultimately belongs to us. Stewardship is about living with awareness that our lives are gifts meant to be used with purpose and wisdom. It calls us to generosity, responsibility, and faithfulness in both the small and significant parts of life. As we grow in stewardship, we learn to live with open hands, trusting God and using what He gives us to serve others and advance His Kingdom.

Monthly Passage: Psalm 24

Week of…

Nov 1 – Ephesians 2:8–10

Nov 8 – Colossians 3:1–3

Nov 15 – Romans 6:23

Nov 22 – Matthew 5–7 

Nov 29 – Psalm 51:10–12 

Prayer and praise are the spiritual disciplines of communing with God and responding to Him with trust, gratitude, and worship. Through prayer, we bring our needs, hopes, struggles, and thanksgiving before the Lord, deepening our dependence on Him. Through praise, we declare His goodness, faithfulness, and power, even in uncertain or difficult seasons. Together, these disciplines keep our hearts anchored in God’s presence and promises. As we reflect on the coming of Christ this season, we are reminded that God keeps His promises and is making all things new. This should draw us into an attitude of prayer and compelled us to lift His name in praise! Prayer and praise further shape us into people of faith and hope, teaching us to rest in His presence and rejoice in His eternal promises.

Monthly Passage: Revelation 21:4–7

Week of…

Dec 6 – Luke 2:10–14

Dec 13 – John 11:25

Dec 20 – John 14:6

Dec 27 – Romans 8:37–39