Rooted And Grounded part II

Ephesians 3:17 TPT

17 Then, by constantly using your faith, the life of Christ will be released deep inside you, and the resting place of his love will become the very source and root of your life.

Ephesians 3:17 NLT

17 Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God’s love and keep you strong.

Ephesians 3:17 KJV

17 That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,

Signs a Christian Is Not Rooted and Grounded in Love

(Ephesians 3:17)

1. Easily Offended and Easily Divided

Love that is rooted is stable. When love is shallow, offense comes quickly.

Takes correction personally

Feels attacked instead of shepherded

Withdraws instead of working through conflict

Shallow roots = emotional instability.

🤪Stop Ask A Question

2. Knowledge Without Compassion

Paul prays that Christ would dwell in our hearts by faith—not just our minds.

Scripture used as a weapon, not a balm

balm /bɑːm/ ■ noun 1 a fragrant ointment used to heal or soothe the skin. ▶ something that has a soothing or restorative effect. 2 a tree which yields a fragrant resinous substance, especially one used in medicine.

More concerned with being right than being loving

Truth spoken without grace

Truth without love produces pride, not maturity

🤓Stop Ask A Question✌🏿

3. Conditional Love

A rooted believer loves consistently; an unrooted believer loves selectively.

Loves when affirmed, withholds when corrected

Loyal only when things go their way

Serves when seen, pulls back when unseen

Love that is rooted does not change with seasons.

🤪Stop Ask A Question🤟🏿

4. Lack of Spiritual Endurance

Roots determine how well a believer stands under pressure.

Faith weakens in trials

Commitment fades when inconvenience shows up

Emotional burnout replaces spiritual resilience

No roots = no staying power.

🔌Stop Ask A Question🦾

5. Inability to Walk in Unity

Paul connects love to being established.

Difficulty submitting to leadership

Suspicious of authority

Easily sown into division and gossip

Love that is grounded builds bridges, not camps.

🔗Stop Ask A Question👏🏾

6. Performance Replaces Presence

Instead of Christ dwelling in the heart, activity replaces intimacy.

Busy but not abiding

Serving God without sitting with God

Ministry flows from obligation, not overflow

Roots grow in secret places, not on platforms.

🫜Stop Ask A Question🤟🏿

7. Fear Governs Decisions

Perfect love casts out fear—but shallow love produces it.

Fear of rejection

Fear of correction

Fear of commitment

When love is rooted, confidence follows.

Use them slowly. Read them twice. Let silence work.

Group Therapy Questions

Theme: Signs a Christian Is Not Rooted and Grounded in Love (Ephesians 3:17)

1. “What usually rises up in you first when you feel misunderstood, corrected, or overlooked—love, defense, or withdrawal?”

follow-up (optional):

“Where did you learn that response?”

“What does that reaction protect?”

2. “Think about a time you pulled back from people, church, or leadership. If you’re honest, was it about pain—or about protecting your pride, comfort, or control?”

3. “How do you personally respond when love costs you something—time, forgiveness, inconvenience, or staying when it would be easier to leave?”

Key insight it reveals: Unrooted love avoids cost; rooted love absorbs it.

4. “If the people closest to you described your love under pressure, what would they say—and where might Christ be inviting you to grow deeper roots?”

close:

5. “What would change in your relationships if love, not fear, was your default response?”

Lets Pray……