Calvary Life CalvaryLife-Fall2017-FINAL-web | Page 7

A tree is a beautiful illustration of God’s transformative work in our
lives. A tiny seed of faith is planted. It springs to life through the Gospel.
In order to grow, its roots go down into the soil of God’s Word. Our Lord
sends the rain and the sun to nourish and strengthen it. As it grows into
maturity, a tree produces fruit that is a blessing to many.
This is my hope and prayer for Bible study this year….that we will be
deeply rooted, growing in Christ and in the knowledge and application
of His Word. I pray we will cultivate maturity, bearing much fruit for
God’s Kingdom!
As we embark on a new school year, I’m especially excited about wom-
en’s bible studies starting up once again at Calvary. As I consider the
visual of a majestic tree, it brings me to four keys of spiritual growth
that I hope and pray will be reflected in our study of the Bible this year.
May we be rooted in God’s Word, related in the Body, and raised up in
worship to reproduce spiritually.
OAKS
righteousness of
“a planting of
the Lord for the
display of His
splendor”
Isaiah 61:3
Rooted in the Word
“So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live
your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith
as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness”
(Colossians 2:6-7).
Calvary has a rich tradition of bible study that transforms lives through
many different kinds of study. As our Adult Ministry team has been
praying about the study of God’s Word, the Lord has led us to move to-
wards a more discovery (or inductive) style of learning. This approach
involves learning to actively explore, discover and evaluate God’s Truth.
Directed studies are much easier in that they lead us to certain conclu-
sions, but learning to ask good questions and observe the details will
help us all become better students of God’s Word. We want to actively
engage with the Bible and help others personally discover and apply
God’s life-changing truths.
We want to dig into God’s Word so that our roots grow deep into the
fullness of Christ. With the tools of discovery and the Holy Spirit as our
Teacher, we get to delight at the treasure our Lord uncovers as we learn
to look for it!
Related as One Body
“I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power,
together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and
high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know his love that surpasses
knowledge, that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of
God.” (Ephesians 3:17-19)
God calls us to journey with other followers of Jesus as we actively
study God’s Word. Part of our vision for the year is that we grow togeth-
er in community, related as one Body, His Church! In our Bible studies,
you will have opportunity to be in a small group where you will actively
discuss and study the Gospel of Mark this year. During this time, you
will grow in community as you pray and care for one another.
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