Conclusion: A Tree That Gives Shade

What a journey! For 30 days, you’ve been learning how God’s love branches out through you.

You started with the two greatest commandments: love God and love your neighbor. Roots going down, branches reaching out.

You learned about love at home: honoring your parents, living in harmony with your brothers and sisters, serving your family, listening when your parents say no and helping make your home a place where God is honored.

You learned about friends: being a friend who loves at all times, being loyal like Jonathan, walking with the wise, outdoing others in kindness, remembering that God sees you when you feel left out, and welcoming people on the edges.

You learned about forgiveness and peace: forgiving seventy-seven times, forgiving as the Lord forgave you, making things right, being a peacemaker, loving your enemies (while staying safe) and overcoming evil with good.

You learned about God’s family: being part of the body of Christ, using your gifts, honoring older people, welcoming younger kids, carrying each other’s burdens, and rejoicing and weeping together.

And you learned about loving the world: God’s family from every nation, serving the least of these, being ready to share your hope, telling your story and praying for everyone.

That’s a big, beautiful tree with branches reaching in every direction!

If you haven’t trusted Jesus yet

All of this love starts with God’s love for you. If you haven’t trusted Jesus yet, you can today. God loves you so much that He sent Jesus to die for your sins and rise again. You can pray something like this:

Dear Jesus, thank You for loving me so much. I know I have sinned, and I’m sorry. I believe You died for me and rose again. I trust You as my Savior, and I want to follow You as my Lord. Fill me with Your love, so I can love others. Amen.

If you prayed that, tell a parent, a pastor or another Christian you trust. They’ll want to celebrate with you!

What’s next

A healthy tree does one more thing: it bears fruit that feeds others, year after year, season after season.

In Book 6, the last book of Rooted, you’ll discover God’s purpose for your life: the good works He has planned for you, the gifts and time He’s given you, how to lead by serving, and how to finish well. And you’ll look ahead to the day Jesus comes back and everything is made new.

Until then, keep your roots deep in God, and keep your branches reaching out in love.

“And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else.”

— 1 Thessalonians 3:12 (BSB)