Rooted in Community: Strength Through Connection

Devotional

Day 1: Rooted Together in Community

Like the sequoia trees, we are called to intertwine our lives, supporting and nourishing one another through every season. When we intentionally connect with others, we create a resilient community that can withstand life's storms. Just as the sequoias' roots spread outward to find strength in each other, we are invited to reach out, to know and be known, and to hold each other up. This is not just a nice idea, but a vital part of thriving as a church family—no one stands alone, and together we become something enduring and beautiful. [01:11]

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV)
"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken."

Reflection: Who in your life could you reach out to this week to offer support or encouragement, and how might you invite them to walk more closely with you in faith?

Day 2: Shifting Our Perspective Upward

We are invited to lift our eyes beyond our immediate circumstances and look up, just as we gaze at the towering sequoias. When we focus on what is above, our perspective changes, and we are reminded of God's greatness and faithfulness through every hardship. This upward gaze helps us see beyond our struggles and recognize the enduring strength that comes from being rooted in God and in community. [02:55]

Colossians 3:1-2 (ESV)
"If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth."

Reflection: What is one area of your life where you need to intentionally shift your focus from earthly worries to God’s perspective today?

Day 3: Resilience Through Life’s Storms

Just as the sequoia trees have weathered thousands of years of storms by standing together, we too are called to endure hardships by leaning on one another. Life will bring wind and rain, but when we are connected, we can remain steadfast and resilient. Our shared stories and struggles become sources of strength, and together we can withstand what would overwhelm us alone. [01:11]

James 1:2-4 (ESV)
"Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing."

Reflection: Think of a recent challenge you faced—how could you invite others into your struggle so you don’t have to face it alone?

Day 4: The Power of Play and Shared Joy

Building community isn’t only about deep conversations; it also grows through simple acts of playing and enjoying life together. When we gather for fun, laughter, and shared experiences, barriers come down and relationships deepen. Whether it’s joining a softball game or cheering from the sidelines, these moments of joy are sacred opportunities to connect and strengthen our bonds as a church family. [03:40]

Proverbs 17:22 (ESV)
"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."

Reflection: What is one fun or joyful activity you can participate in with others this week to help build stronger connections in your community?

Day 5: Growing Together in Core Groups

True growth happens when we bravely step into spaces where we can ask questions, share our lives, and seek God together. Core groups offer a place to be known, to wrestle with doubts, and to discover God’s life in community. When we say yes to growing together, we open ourselves to transformation and to the possibility of finding answers and encouragement we could never find alone. [04:57]

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near."

Reflection: What is holding you back from joining a group or deeper community, and what step could you take this week to move past that barrier?

Sermon Summary

There’s something awe-inspiring about standing among the ancient sequoia trees in California. These giants, some over 3,000 years old and towering 300 feet high, are impossible to miss. What’s most remarkable, though, isn’t just their size or age, but the way they survive. Their roots don’t go deep; instead, they spread out and intertwine with the roots of other sequoias. This network allows them to withstand storms and challenges that would topple any tree standing alone. The sequoias thrive because they are connected, supporting and nourishing one another through every season.

This is the vision for our church community. Like the sequoias, we are called to link our lives together, to know and support one another, and to create a resilient, life-giving body. It’s easy to focus only on what’s right in front of us, but God invites us to lift our eyes, to see the bigger picture, and to become people who stand strong through life’s storms—not because we are isolated, but because we are deeply connected.

To move toward this vision, we’re taking practical steps to foster connection. First, we’re inviting everyone to simply play together. Just as children naturally connect through play, we want to create space for adults to do the same. Our upcoming softball league is a chance to laugh, compete, and build relationships in a relaxed setting. Even if you don’t play, come out and cheer, and let’s enjoy being together.

We’re also creating opportunities for families to connect, like the special movie screening for parents and kids. And most importantly, we’re launching our core groups this fall. These groups are where real life happens—where questions are asked, stories are shared, and faith is deepened in community. It takes courage to step in, but in these spaces, we discover that God often meets us through the lives of others. My hope is that each of us will be brave enough to reach out, to link arms, and to become a church that stands strong together, just like the sequoias.

Key Takeaways

1. True strength is found in connection, not isolation. The sequoia trees endure centuries of storms because their roots are intertwined, supporting one another. In the same way, we are called to build relationships that hold us up when life gets hard, recognizing that resilience is a communal achievement, not an individual one. [01:11]
2. Shifting our perspective from the immediate to the eternal changes how we live. When we look up—beyond our daily struggles—and see the bigger story God is writing, we find hope and purpose. This upward gaze helps us become people who weather hardship with faith and vision, rather than being consumed by what’s right in front of us. [02:55]
3. Community is not just about proximity, but about intentional engagement. Like the sequoia roots that actively seek out others, we must take steps to know and support one another. This means moving beyond surface-level interactions and investing in relationships that nourish and sustain us. [02:55]
4. Play and shared experiences are sacred opportunities for connection. Sometimes the most profound community is built not through formal programs, but through laughter, play, and simply being together. These moments create trust and open doors for deeper relationships, reminding us that joy is a vital part of spiritual life. [03:40]
5. Vulnerability is the gateway to authentic community and spiritual growth. Joining a core group or sharing your life with others requires courage, but it’s in these spaces that God often brings healing, wisdom, and transformation. When we risk being known, we discover that we are not alone—and that God’s life flows most powerfully through shared stories and mutual support. [04:57]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[00:15] - Sequoia National Park: A Lesson from the Trees
[01:11] - The Resilience of Interconnected Roots
[01:55] - Changing Our Perspective: Looking Up
[02:55] - The Vision for Our Church Community
[03:40] - The Power of Playing Together
[04:10] - Upcoming Softball League Invitation
[04:35] - Family Connection: Movie Screening Opportunity
[04:57] - Launching Core Groups This Fall
[05:20] - The Courage to Step Into Community
[05:45] - Practical Steps to Get Involved
[06:10] - Closing Invitation and Next Steps

Bible Study Guide

Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (ESV) — > Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV) — > And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Observation Questions

According to Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, what are some practical benefits of having others alongside us in life?
In Hebrews 10:24-25, what are believers encouraged to do for one another, and what warning is given about meeting together?
The sermon described how sequoia trees survive storms by intertwining their roots. What does this say about the importance of connection in facing challenges? [01:11]
What are some of the specific ways our church is encouraging people to connect and build relationships, as mentioned in the sermon? [03:40]

Interpretation Questions

Why do you think the Bible emphasizes not being alone, but instead being connected with others? How does this relate to the sequoia tree illustration from the sermon? [02:55]
The sermon mentioned that resilience is a communal achievement, not an individual one. What does this mean in the context of Christian community? [01:11]
The idea of “looking up” and changing our perspective was highlighted. How might shifting our focus from immediate struggles to God’s bigger story help us endure hard times? [02:55]
The sermon talked about vulnerability as the gateway to authentic community. Why is it sometimes hard to be vulnerable, and what might we gain if we take that risk? [04:57]

Application Questions

Think about a recent challenge or “storm” in your life. Did you try to handle it alone, or did you reach out for support? What difference did it make? [01:11]
The sermon encouraged us to “play together” and build relationships through shared experiences. Are there fun or simple ways you could connect with someone in our church this month? What’s one step you could take? [03:40]
Our church is launching core groups this fall. What fears or hesitations might keep you from joining a group? What would it take for you to be brave and step in? [04:57]
The sequoia trees intentionally send their roots out to connect with others. Is there someone in our church or community you feel nudged to reach out to or get to know better? What’s stopping you?
The sermon talked about moving beyond surface-level interactions. Can you think of a time when a deeper conversation or act of support made a difference in your faith? How can you offer that to someone else?
Sometimes we get stuck focusing only on our own problems. What is one practical way you can “look up” this week and see the bigger picture of what God is doing around you? [02:55]
Vulnerability can be scary, but it’s also where real growth happens. What’s one area of your life where you could risk being more open with others in your group or church? [04:57]

Sermon Clips

If you go to Sequoia National Park, you go there because of the Sequoia trees, that's right, and if you know anything about the Sequoia trees, they've been there for a really, really long time.and you can't miss them. Why? Because they're 300 -some feet tall, and if we were to link arms and link hands, it would take multiple of us to go all the way around the trunk of each of these sequoia trees, and they're massive, like I said, 300 -plus feet. General Sherman's the biggest one, I believe, but also they've been around, not only have they been around 3 ,000 feet,Sorry, 3 ,000 years. They've been that tall, but what's really significant for me about those sequoia trees is how their roots work. [00:00:14]

You'd imagine a tree that tall and been around that long would have roots that go so far down. For our elementary kids, you guys still, you know, like all the way to China. Anyone think that way still?Maybe just me, just me, okay.You'd imagine trees that tall would have roots that go all the way through the earth.But sequoia trees are different because what they do is they don't go down, their roots go outwards and their roots go and find other sequoia trees and together these massive amounts of trees become this massive organism that live together holding one another up and if you think about 3 ,000 years more than likely they've experienced some storms.some wind some rain they've had some stories to tell whatever story a tree can tell I guess but it's it's been through some stuff if you go there today they're still there maybe not as many but they're still there they're locked into one another their roots finding nutrients for one another together creating this massive organismliving trees. [00:00:55]

Because deep down for me, my hope is that we become like those sequoia trees. When you think about 300 feet tall, all you can do is look up and maybe see the top of it. Our hope is that our perspective changes from when...we're just about what's happening here in front of us but our perspective goes up and we look up want to be like those 3 ,000 year old trees who's been through a couple stuff through some hardship but it stood resilient and strong in their faith in life together and like those roots that we would be like thoseTrees that would find one another, connecting us together to be able to create a church body of people here that we just seem to know one another, know what each other needs, and that be the normal part of our daily, weekly experience. [00:02:03]

That we would become like those sequoia trees, like Sequoia National Forest, or National Park, technically.That's my hope, that's our hope, that we would become people like that, and not find ourselves off by ourselves alone and waiting for the wind and the storm to come.But we would find ourselves together, connecting with one another, linking roots together, so that when that storm comes, guess what holds strong?We do, because we've got one another. [00:02:55]

And as much as you push your roots out, you're receiving them. As much as I'm hoping that you will hold me up, I'm going to do the very best I can to hold you up.And my hope is that we become a church like that, full of sequoia trees. [00:03:25]

We're going to do that in a few different ways. We're going to get started off real kind of easy and simple, because I think the easiest thing we can do is play together.So as a church, I would like to invite you to come play together with all of us. Kids do it out there, they're really good at it. Adults, we're not as good at it, so let's figure out a way to do that. [00:03:40]

And what we're gonna do, starting in the middle of September, is start off softball league. We're gonna play softball together. If you are high school and older, and like relatively athletic, or kind of understand how baseball works,softball works I want you to join us I want you to play with us I want you to come and be a part of what's happening here at Ascent by playing together if you have any questions come find me registrations open it's $30 it's four nights in September the last one in October 5th it's gonna be a great time even if you don't play come out I dare you come watchDouble dog dare you. Come have a good time. Connect with one another. [00:03:59]

Connect with one another. If you're a parent in here, you're going to get a little fly this afternoon as you guys walk out. Light of the World, the movie that's coming out this weekend, as AscentKids, you guys are creating a space for you guys as parents to be able to go to that screening this Saturday.Details for that is coming to you at the end of our service today. [00:04:37]

And then finally, the last one I wanna talk about is our core groups.We're gonna start our registration today, and we hope that this fall you will step in and say, yes, I wanna be a part of that. I wanna grow together with people. I wanna have some questions. Guess what, the best place to find those answers is in the community with one another. [00:04:57]

So I'm gonna, again, triple dog dare you.to say yes be brave bring your spouse with you you together we'll be brave together how about that we love for you to find a space and a place where your questions come out and you go hey maybe in community we might find answers maybe in community is where god's true life comes when you say i want to share my lifewith you and maybe they'll share their life with me. [00:05:16]

I'm really excited for core groups this coming fall. It's gonna be an amazing time. I really would encourage you to step up. There's QR codes out in the lobby, right out there. If you need any questions, have any questions, hopefully at the end of this service, come find me, we'll have a conversation about that. [00:05:45]

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