Fellowship Programs

July 2024 – Deeply Rooted in Family

July 1, 2024June 5, 2023By
July 2024 – Deeply Rooted in Family

National Park Road Trip

Scripture: Matthew 11:28

Introduction

There’s nothing like taking a lengthy family road trip to a new destination. A National Park family road trip is a great way to see the beauty of God’s creation and create new family memories.

Transform your meeting space into a wilderness adventure with party supplies from Amazon or Etsy.

Skit  – “A Tree-mendous Day”: July2024_DeeplyRooted_Tree-mendousDaySkit

Program Ideas

Refreshments:

  • Provide a DIY trail mix bar with components like dried bananas, goldfish, mixed nuts, M&Ms, and dried cranberries.
  • Build a campfire and make smores.’ Creative smores’ combinations can be found on Pinterest.

A Road Trip

What is your favorite part about a road trip? Maybe it’s visiting historical landmarks, buying memorable souvenirs to commemorate the journey, or trying all the local food flavors you come across on the way to your destination.

When you go on a road trip, you expect your destination to be filled with all sorts of exciting things to see. We don’t just wait until we arrive at our destination to begin our sightseeing. We begin to take in all that we see along the way, from how the clouds change or how the sky disappears as you drive through a mountain range, or may even know how the trees change. Maybe you started with palm trees and then found yourself in a national park filled with many tall redwood trees. In most cases, no matter where you travel, you can always be sure that you will come across a tree of some type.

Did you know that a tree’s roots must absorb oxygen to survive? Or that the roots anchor the tree into the soil so the leaves are elevated and can take in all the rays from the sun? The tree’s roots also provide storage. The roots store nutrients and food during the winter so that they can bear healthy green leaves in the spring. A tree needs to have healthy roots because, without them, a tree would not be able to stand tall and would fall over. If the roots of a tree are not given the best care, the tree cannot thrive and will not be able to provide the vital oxygen that you and I breathe.

Matthew 11:28 says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Sabbath is such a beautiful discipline. It realigns us to remember that He is God, and we are not. It is important because we can connect to the source that gives us the breath in our lungs, and it cultivates roots in deep soil. A tree grows tall and strong because of the roots planted beneath it.

In the same way, we, too, grow in our relationship with the Lord as we seek him for rest and replenishment. This may look like spending a quiet hour alone in prayer, reading or writing His Word, or even being still in His presence. A great book about Sabbath is Mark Buchanan’s “The Rest of God.” In his book, Mark explains the importance of the Sabbath. This beautiful discipline is made for us to indulge in. Sabbath is meant to be our escape. Instead of fleeing or looking for the next vacation day to find rest, we see the solution in God’s creation of Sabbath. He invites us in and says, “Come to me all you who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.”

When we take a trip, we typically do not travel alone. We enjoy going with someone with whom we can share the experience. The people who go with us on these road trips are people we have gotten to know and built a foundation with. In many cases, these people have seen the good, bad, and the ugly and still enjoy our company. We walk with each other, share one another’s burdens, and celebrate one another’s joys.

It was discovered by a professor of forest ecology that when insects damaged a fir tree, it could send chemical warning signs to a nearby pine tree. What is even more fascinating is that the pine tree then began to produce defense enzymes to protect itself from becoming injured, just like the fir tree. Without this, the insects could have taken over many trees. In the same way, you and I help each other on this road trip of life. Our deep roots in the Savior allow us to connect so that we can help each other when our life is threatened by the unknown. We need to have people in our corner who challenge us, encourage us, and help us have deep roots in Jesus. When we have those deep roots, the unknown doesn’t hinder us or shake us up. It allows us to stay firmly planted where we are. Trees bend in the wind and shake off their leaves, but they are not so easily broken.

Whether planning a road trip or running errands around town, don’t forget to take a moment to set your eyes on the beautiful trees. May they remind you how important it is to be rooted in Jesus. As you go throughout your daily routine, I hope you make time to get away to find rest and solace in all that the Lord has for you. Find a friend, someone you trust, and lean on each other. Carry each other’s burdens, encourage one another, and help each other to continue to develop deep roots in Jesus. Those deep roots will keep our lives grounded as we experience trials and challenges. When those trials and challenges come or when we feel the need to get away, the Lord is inviting us to come away with Him. “Come to me all who are weary and burdened and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.