Rooted: Connect with God, The Church, Your Purpose

by Mariners Church (Editor), Kenton Beshore, Muriithi Wanjau

Genres: Christian, Faith, Nonfiction, Theology, Devotional, Christianity, Spirituality

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2016

Reviews

[Annelise · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church went through this 10-week series together in the form of small community groups. My husband and I led a group of couples through this series. I loved the introspective questions the book stirs in you and the themed weeks. My favorite weeks were "Where is God in the midst of suffering" because it helped give me answers to the question when folks ask "Why me, God?" as well as the prayer, stronghold, and service weeks.

The only thing I wish was that there was more accompanied digging INTO THE BIBLE with this book. There were lots of quotes in the book, but from authors like C.S. Lewis and stories of ministry in third world countries--but it felt so distant from where I'm at in life now. I GET IT--that's where the book started as a third world country ministry. But on the whole, I just wish this book had included more guided Bible readings instead of random author quotes (regardless of if they're Christian authors or not). There were plenty of times I could have poured through my Bible to reference verses listed in that particular week, but they bounced around a lot and included multiple verses from varying books to support the readings, so it made it more challenging to stay motivated.

Overall, I think this is a great church group study book and would recommend it for any group looking to develop a "rooted" and deeper understanding in God and to come closer together as a group.

[Kelly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this is a great book for new believers and for newly formed small groups to connect and grow together.

As someone who has been a believer my whole life, I wish it had gone a bit deeper into the Word.

[Isabelle Ray · Rating 4 out of 5]

My church's Bible study group used this book, and I thought it was great. Very informative and a great resource for people in all stages of their walks with Christ--- whether that is brand new to the faith or several years with Christ.

[Isabella · Rating 4 out of 5]

This guide is good for weekday daily time with God and great for people newly exploring faith in general or as a new believer to read and discuss with a group. The information is also a good review for those who have been in a long standing relationship with God. I would not recommend going through it alone as application and discussion is intended.

The author breaks down the basics of Christian beliefs, values, and community with specific bible verses as reference. Fundamentals include: daily devotion, prayer, repentance, sacrificial generosity, serving the community, sharing your story, and worship. There are some modern examples of stories for application. There are reflection journal prompts after each day's reading.

As this book was made for Mariners Church, the words and examples are made for the readers to connect as a part of that church body and see what that church body is dedicated to with the modern examples. Yet, this does not disqualify the main focus of bringing people to know the fundamentals of Christian faith.

If you're looking for something deeper as a group, this is not the study for you. But, having a mix of new and old believers may provide opportunity for deeper discussions with questions from newer believers and wisdom from older believers.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with my small group, composed of 10-15 women from my church. We read a section a week on our own, which included a short 2-page chapter each day. We met once a week as a group to discuss what we'd read and share our personal experiences related to that week's topic. As the title says, it was a good guide to connect with God, the church, and our purpose - to become rooted in our faith. It was extremely well-written: concepts were clearly expressed, examples were realistic, the chapters were short and it was easy to find the time to read each day. At the conclusion of each segment there were a few thought-provoking questions with room to write your answers right in the book. I think the book makes a great group study, but could also be read individually.

[A Grace · Rating 1 out of 5]

Solid but I wish it went even deeper!

Reread 2023
I’m dropping a 4 star read to a 1 star. Going through Rooted twice was really hard. I love the group but hated this book. Going through it the first time, This book told me everything I already knew. Going through it a second time felt like a waste of time. It got so boring and tedious and I started to resent the time it would sap from my week. I really can’t imagine reading it ever again. If you’ve grown up in the church, I can’t imagine this telling you anything you don’t already know. The only positive side is if you’ve never had consistent Bible reading, this might pave the way to help you get in the habit of reading something, hopefully the Bible, a little every day. For me I’ll be sticking with the Bible from now on.

[Lisa · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband and I read this with our church group, it is a good study for not being over a book of the Bible. It leads you into different facets of your life that can help you make changes where needed. It's still a little "touchy/feely" as most non-Bible book studies are but not too bad :) I prefer to study books of the Bible and so it's hard for me to do ones that only take out passages here and there...

[Brandon Stiver · Rating 4 out of 5]

This study is a good overview of the Christian life. It’s best done in a small group format (which is its design). The questions and conversations are the highlight though a lot of the content would be review to someone that has been in the church for a while (very meaningful review all the same!)

[Joy Schmidt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was used in a small group experience at our church. It goes through the seven rhythms of the Christian life. Homework five days of each week that had a daily reading and some reflection questions.

[Kate Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Bible study. I have never dedicated myself to something that was so long. But these 10 weeks have shown me that I can make the time for God and he is always there to talk to and connect in the divine. I liked this study a lot.

[Nicholas · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the Rooted experience but the book was pretty lackluster. It seemed to not be able to decide if it wanted to go deep or provide surface level for brand new or potential believers. It did start some good conversations in our group though which was enjoyable.

[Desiray Schultz hayner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great lessons, well worded and informative. I really enjoyed it, and enjoyed the small group setting.

[Keyla Rhoades · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy read, gave some good discussion points. 3.75. Which it had more quotes from Bible directly or that each lesson had like a see also part with suggested reading

[Graham Bates · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted is an excellent resource for helping new and developing Christians understand the rhythms of being part of a local congregation. It is a 10-week study (the first chapter is merely an introduction) with 5 readings per chapter followed by 3-6 questions. It takes readers through who God is, the problem of pain, who we are fighting, service, money, evangelism, and worship with a local body of believers. It incorporates prayer not only written (each reading ends with a prayer prompt) but also provides the outline for a multi-hour prayer time. It also has a section to discuss a service project for the group to complete. It's thoroughly theological and biblical.

If you have not gone through this book with a small group I would highly suggest it. It's not a "class" book as much as a small-group text because it requires people to be dedicated to and open with each other. That's not possible with visitors or a general-public class. It's good for new Christians as well as seasoned ones as well.

[Jayden Wetzel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I embarked on the “ROOTED” journey seeking a deeper connection with God, the Church, and my purpose. The book delivered a rich exploration of biblical truths and practical insights that significantly enhanced my spiritual understanding. The emphasis on community and the Church’s role in our lives resonated deeply, providing a fresh perspective. The book’s structure and guidance for personal reflection were instrumental in making this not just a read but a transformative experience. While the content is impactful, a bit more diversity in examples and perspectives could enhance its inclusivity. Nevertheless, “ROOTED” is a valuable resource for those desiring a more profound spiritual connection.

[Michael Summers · Rating 4 out of 5]

This beginner's guide to Christian living and beliefs does an excellent job of describing how to live in relationship to others as a Christian. For that reason, it works well in small groups for people wanting to find out what it means to be a follower of Jesus. Strangely, it understates the "one another" component when discussing worship while correctly stressing focus on God. Like many multi-author books, there is uneven depth when comparing chapters. I was part of a group of mature Christians who studied the book. My conclusion: Use with caution, with your Bible open for comparison. Emphasis on prayer, service to community, and the importance of faith in baptism and Communion are strengths of the book.

[Jamesohn Bader · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was used alongside a program through my church. I thought the book was life changing in regard to it getting me back into the word on a daily basis. In that regard, it was definitely worth your time. Furthermore, it allowed us to get back into a small group again as we experienced somethings with our last small group that made it hard for us to put ourselves out there again.

I think that this is a very adequate book for what it is going for. I don't think it is anything however that is a must read, especially if you have had a relationship with God for many years, as this might at times seem rudimentary.

[Tony Sciarini · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted provides a relevant overview of what it means to live the Christian faith. Covering ideas like giving and community, the authors don't shy away from topics like evil and how to respond to it as Christians. Important, too, is that the authors add commentary from pastors from all over the world, providing a global perspective of living the Christian faith. This book is meant to be studied with a group, but it can be a personal devotion alone, as well. I highly recommend this. It challenged and drew me closer to God.

[Valérie B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rooted is definitely for a small class (12 persons), a teacher, and a church setting.
This class is for Newbies to Christ, long time Believers, Refresher, and those who want to understand how to become a Follower of Christ and Discipleship. I was saved at 19 years old. I am now 66. This class was so amazing. I now have a small group for life and we do things together. The Book starts with the basics and then dives into the deeper waters and you learn so much about your inner beauty; how the Trinity can mold and shape you into a wonderfully made person. Already we had made an impact on another church, by help them rebuild their church. I am meeting so many new folks who walk with Jesus. This class helped and guided me to become a more mature Christian. If your Church does not offer this class, ask them to. It is well worth it.

[Shawn Oetzel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I was pretty disappointed with this. I did not really get much from it. The activities within the group were decent but otherwise this was a let down. It had the feeling of the authors trying to find a way to stretch this out for 10-weeks, when many of the weeks could have been summed up in a paragraph rather than drawing them out for 5-days. I originally thought it was just me but after speaking to the members of the group most were disappointed. I know many on here found some positive messages from this book, and that is wonderful. It just wasn't for me.

[Alexis Aurelio · Rating 4 out of 5]

This devotional and workbook is a fantastic combination! I completed it during the Rooted experience at my church, and I truly believe every Christian should give it a try. I’ve never done this much personal reflection until I walked through the Rooted journey. I really appreciated how it challenged me to dive deep into the Scripture, messages, and thought-provoking questions. It helped me gain a better understanding of both myself and my faith. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a meaningful Bible study or devotional to work through.

[Jhilliard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Our church used this material as an 'all church' study. It was very helpful and well recieved by all who were part of the project. The big surprise were the number of long time Christians who discovered new things about their faith that they didn't know. I highly recommend it as a foundational tool for the basics of the faith.

[Alison Vaughan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great for the very basics, and I can see how this would be a useful book to take a group through for a few weeks like we did. Sometimes the chapters felt too brief, as in these are topics you could expanded on pretty deeply, so that’s just the trade-off for a resource that decided to cover so much.

[Ramona Browne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book! Very reflective & makes you think about not only your personal relationship with God, but also with others. My husband and I have now completed the entire program twice with two different small groups, and this time it was even more meaningful.

[Kiffin Irwin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great study that's the perfect mixture of deep and surface level. My wife and I went through it in a group from church and really got a lot out of it. It focuses on pretty much all the key areas of faith.

[Brian Tooley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I went through this book with four other men in my church. God taught me so much about my faith and how to share what God is doing in my life to other people. If your church offers this group, I highly recommend you to go through the ten weeks.

[Ady]

This book is perfect for touching all areas of Christian and Church beginning and growth. My church did a ten week study with this book (one evening a week) and the group of strangers became friends too.

[Andrea Miller · Rating 5 out of 5]

I got this book because my church was doing a Rooted class. I related to a lot of the material in the book, I also learned a lot! The friendships that I made with the other people in my group has been awesome! God is good. Read this book even if you aren’t taking the class.

[Dana Eisinger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good book for basic principles of Christianity. This book is meant to be used with a Group but could also be read on your own. 10 weeks with 5 lessons a week and also has questions at the end of each day.

[Mike Tannian · Rating 3 out of 5]

My life group read this. It’s a nice book. Well made. Overall well written. I think it’s an incredible resource for someone who’s new to their faith. I didn’t finish reading it, however, and I don’t intend to.