ROOTED
2020 Bible Study, Book, and other resources
ON ROOTEDNESS
LUTHIER 8
Why Rooted? I pray that. . . Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. - Ephesians 3:16
BOOK CHOICES Whether you are looking for a book to read on your own or for a group book study, the books listed on page two provide a great starting point for "rootedness".
In the midst of changing circumstances, both inside and outside of our church, many people are looking for a place of
BIBLE STUDY FOR GROUPS
stability and security. We are looking for roots to hold us steady and for solid ground upon which we can stand secure in the midst of uncertainty. It is for this reason that we have adopted "rooted" as our theme for 2020. The ministers at FBC Griffin have put together this list of resources to help guide us during this year of "rootedness," The hope is that our Sunday school classes, small groups, and individuals might engage the theme of "rootedness" together by using these resources in your own devotions,
Small Groups are a great way to dig deeper in thoughtful conversation. These choices are a great starting point to deeper conversations.
MUSIC CHOICES Here is a suggested soundtrack for our year of "rootedness" You can download the individual songs, or follow our playlist on Spotify.
classes, and group gatherings. In addition to traditional bible studies, we have included some unconventional resources, in the hopes that they may spark ideas for new groups and new ways to engage in spiritual formation together.
ART AND MOVIE CHOICES For a different point of view in rootedness, check out the art and movie suggestions!
Books
WWW.FBCGRIFFIN.ORG The Wisdom of Stability: Rooting Faith in a Mobile Culture by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
In this book, Wilson-Hartgrove illuminates
Whether you enjoy reading on your own or reading in a group, we hope that some of the books on this list
the biblical and monastic understanding of
might inspire you to be more "rooted"
why staying in one place is both a virtue and
in your own journey. Many of them
good for you. “For the Christian tradition,” he
have study guides that are helpful for
writes, “the heart’s true home is a life rooted in the love of God.”
both personal and group study. These would make very interesting additions
The Awakening of Hope
to Sunday school classes, LifeGroups,
by Jonathan Wilson-Hartgrove
book clubs, or personal reading lists.
The Awakening of Hope re-presents Christian faith by beginning with stories of faithful witness and asking, Why? Why do Christians PHOTO BY MARTIN R. SMITH eat together? Why do we fast? Why would we rather die than kill? These are the questions that help us see why creation and the fall, covenant and community, ethics and evangelism matter.
Practicing the Way of Jesus: Life Together in the Kingdom of Love by Mark Scandrette
Take a casual survey of how people practice their faith, and you might reasonably conclude that Jesus spent his life going door to door offering private lessons, complete with chalkboard and pop quizzes.
Grounded by Diana Butler Bass
We are experiencing a great shift in our culture. The distant God of conventional religion has given way to a more intimate sense of the sacred that is with us in the world. Grounded explores this cultural turn as Bass unpacks how people are finding new spiritual ground by discovering and embracing God everywhere in the world around us —in the soil, the water, the sky, in our homes and neighborhoods, and in the global commons.
The Fragrance of God or Inheriting Paradise: Meditations on Gardening by Vigen Guroian
Vigen Guroian is an orthodox priest, theologian, and religion professor. In addition to this, he is also a master gardener. In both of these books, Guroian uses his love for gardening to open a window into the spiritual life and reveals truths about God.
For a complete list list and fuller descriptions for each of these resources, please visit: fbcgriffin.org/rooted
Small Group Bible Studies Consider these bible study choices for your small group.
Music Playlist
The Apprentice Series by James Bryan Smith
To be “rooted” in God, we must first understand who
For many of us, music is an important feature of our day-to-day lives. What if that music could become an intentional companion to the teaching and spiritual focus that you were making this year? We would like to suggest the following playlist to accompany your focus on the theme of "rootedness" in 2020.
God is, who we are, and how we live this life together. The three books in this series address precisely these concerns: The Good and Beautiful God; The Good and Beautiful Life; The Good and Beautiful Community. Each book is set up for a reading each week along with a “soul training” exercise.
The New Testament and Its World by N.T. Wright & Michael Bird
“Rooted” by Kerrie Roberts "The Color Green” by Rich Mullins “Land of My Sojourn” by Rich Mullins “A Mighty Roar” by Nephesh Mountain “So Will I (100 Billion X)” by Hillsong United “King of Kings” by Hillsong Worship
To be “rooted” in God, we must understand the revelation of God in scripture. This book and video resource provides an overview of the entire New Testament by one of the best New Testament scholars alive today.
"The Solid Rock" "Who You Say I Am" Hillsong Worship "Amazing Grace"
The Road Back to You by Ian Morgan Cron and Suzanne Stabile
"I Believe (The Creed)" by Hillsong Worship "We Shall Not Be Moved" by Sharon Jones and Billy Rivers & The Angelic Voices of Faith
Using the ancient wisdom of the Enneagram, the authors help you grow in knowledge of yourself, compassion for others, and love for God. Witty and filled with stories, this unique approach takes you
follow us on Spotify (requires a free account) at www.spotify.com/connexionfbcgriffin to access our playlists.
further into who you really are and leading you into spiritual discovery.
The Essentials of Christian Thought by Roger E. Olson
Christians disagree on doctrine, politics, church government, certain moral questions—just about everything under the sun, it can seem. Yet a unity remains. This book and video series outlines the basic perspective on the world that all Christians, regardless of their place and time, have historically held.
Movies
Art Sometimes, we need to come at a topic from a different point of view. Art can open up a window to a theme and help us to see it in new ways. Below, you will find a few suggestions of places to start with this year’s theme. We encourage you to do a little research about the works to enhance your appreciation and understanding of the various artists and their work. If you are looking at this with a group, you might begin by projecting a high quality image of the work on a television or screen. You can also print copies so that members each have a copy in front of them. Then, discuss what you think the artist was trying to communicate through the work. How does it make you feel? What questions do you have as a result of seeing it?
“The Best of Enemies” This movie tells the story of an unlikely friendship between Civil Rights activist, Anne Atwater and KKK leader, C.P. Ellis. Rooted deeply in their respective communities and beliefs, the two are invited to chair the committee to work out details of school integration in Durham, NC. In the process, both are challenged to confront their respective prejudice in an effort to work for the good of their community.
“The Gardner”
"The Sower" or "The Sower at Sunset" by Vincent Van Gogh
Van Gogh showed an affinity for sowers during his career. In all, he did more than 30 drawings of paintings of that subject, honing in on
This documentary tells the story of Frank Cabot, master gardener, and Les Quatre Vents, a horticultural masterpiece of the 21st century that took over 75 years to create.
the cycles of seasons and life embodied by this pastoral scene. The use of the sun also becomes symbolic in some of these works, forming a kind of halo around the sower, emphasizing the sacredness of their task.
“A River Runs Through It” The film tells the autobiographical story about two boys, Norman and Paul, growing up in 1920s Missoula, Montana under the watchful eye of their father, a Presbyterian minister.At home, however, the family's stoic emotions hint at trouble is to come.
“The Haystack Series” or “The Rouen Cathedral Series”
“The Tallest Trees on Earth”
by Claude Monet
Monet was well known for his series of paintings. He would often paint dozens of different versions of the same subject, trying to capture it at different times of day and in different seasons of the year. In a sense, staying “rooted” in a similar place and focused on a similar subject allowed him to experience the subject in a deeper and more profound way. Take some time with a group and look at one of these series and see what it might say to you about the power of staying rooted and committed to a place over time. What applications might we make from this to the spiritual life?
This documentary reveals the magic and history of old growth redwood forests, where giant sequoias reach to the sky and tell their story to the Ocean, wind and air, as well as to the visitors of these national and state parks. Available on Youtube.