Living Free/ Rooted in CHRIST - Part 5

Study guide for Living Free: Rooted in Christ - Part 5 Sunday Sermon, 10/11/26

Central Truth 

The tree is what God does. RIBS is how you stay in position for Him to do it.

Opening 

Trees rarely get uprooted—they slowly dry out. Have you seen that happen? What did it look like?

R — Read (Rooted in Trust)

Faith "comes by hearing" (Rom 10:17). Reading the Word is how your roots reach the water.

1. Is your trust problem actually an intake problem?

2. Of doctrine, reproof, correction, instruction (2 Tim 3:16)—which do you most need right now?

I — Invite (Covered by Grace)

You don't hand the wheel to someone you're afraid of. A covered person has nothing left to protect.

1. "Your own understanding is a fig leaf." What plan have you built to manage life without exposing it to God?

2. Psalm 32 ties confession to guidance. Why do the two go together?

B — Build (Bearing Fruit)

Both builders in Matt 7 heard; only one did. Freedom is the fruit of a life built on what Jesus said.

1. Where is the gap between what you know and what you're doing?

2. Both houses faced the same storm. What does that tell you about storms in a believer's life?

   
   

S — Seek (Walking by the Spirit)

Nobody walks once. David sought God "early" in a dry land (Ps 63:1).

1. What gets first place in your day before God does (Matt 6:33)?

2. What's the difference between seeking perfectly and seeking consistently (Heb 11:6)?

Standing in Freedom (Gal 5:1; John 8:36)

1. Why must Paul command free people to "stand fast"? What yoke tempts you most: fear, control, performance, hiding?

2. Which of your four RIBS is weakest right now?

This Week — pick one rib:

• Read: One chapter a day; write down one thing God says.

• Invite: Pray Prov 3:5–6 before every decision.

• Build: Obey one command of Jesus you've heard but not done.

• Seek: Set a daily time with God before the day heats up.

Closing Declaration (read aloud):

I am rooted in trust—so I will read His Word. I am covered by grace—so I will invite Him to lead. I am bearing fruit—so I will build my life on truth. I am walking by the Spirit—so I will seek Him daily. I am standing in freedom. I am free indeed.

Memory Verse — John 8:36: "Therefore if the Son makes you free, you shall be free indeed.”

Stop hiding. Start confessing. Let grace do the covering. 

And keep your RIBS.

RIBS	Series Theme	Scriptures
Read God's Word	Rooted in trust	Jer 17:7–8; Rom 10:17; Ps 119:105; 2 Tim 3:16–17
Invite God to Lead	Covered by grace	Gen 3:21; Prov 3:5–6; Ps 32:8; Jas 1:5
Build on Truth	Bearing fruit	John 15:5; John 8:31–32; Matt 7:24–25; Eph 6:14
Seek Him Daily	Walking by the Spirit	Gal 5:16; Matt 6:33; Ps 63:1; Heb 11:6

Biblical References in Original Order

Jeremiah 17:7–8	John 8:31–32
Romans 10:17	Matthew 7:24–25
Psalm 119:105	Ephesians 6:14
2 Timothy 3:16–17	Galatians 5:16
Genesis 3:21	Matthew 6:33
Proverbs 3:5–6	Psalm 63:1
Psalm 32:8	Hebrew 11:6
James 1:5	Galatians 5:1
John 15:5	John 8:36