Welcome Families!

This year Laurel Heights Youth Group students will journey through ROOTED, a discipleship experience designed to help them develop deep roots in their faith and a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Just as a tree grows strong through healthy roots, students grow spiritually when they are rooted in God's love, God’s Word, prayer, community, service, and mission. Each month builds upon the previous one, helping students establish lasting spiritual habits that will strengthen their faith for years to come.

Research and experience consistently show that parents are the greatest spiritual influence in a child's life.

Your role is vital. Our goal is not simply to disciple your students during monthly gatherings but to equip and encourage faith conversations at home. Each month, I'll send out a summary of that month's lesson along with suggestions for follow-up at home to keep the conversation going.

Theme Verses

"So then, just as you received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to live your lives in him, rooted and built up in him, strengthened in the faith..." - Colossians 2:6-7

“Happy are those who trust in the Lord, who rely on the Lord. They will be like trees planted by the streams, whose roots reach down to the water. They won’t fear drought when it comes; their leaves will remain green. They won’t be stressed in the time of drought or fail to bear fruit.” – Jeremiah 17:7-8

Family Discipleship Tips

• Keep It Simple: You don't need all the answers. Simply asking questions and listening creates opportunities for meaningful spiritual conversations.
• Be Consistent: Short, regular conversations about faith are often more impactful than occasional long discussions.
• Model Your Faith: Students learn more from what they see than what they hear. Share your own faith journey, struggles, and blessings.
• Pray Together: Even brief prayers before school, in the car, at meals, or bedtime can create meaningful spiritual rhythms.
• Celebrate Growth: Notice and affirm evidence of spiritual growth, kindness, service, responsibility, and Christlike character.

ROOTED Family Prayer

God,

Thank You for loving our family and inviting us to grow closer to You. As we journey together, help us build our lives on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ.

May we be rooted in Your love, grounded in Your Word, faithful in prayer, strengthened by community, resilient through challenges, eager to serve, bold in mission, and fruitful in our faith.

Grow deep roots in our hearts so that our lives reflect Your goodness wherever You have placed us.

In Jesus' name, Amen.

Part I: Rooted in God's Love

Focus Scripture: Psalm 139:13-15

You are the one who created my innermost parts; you knit me together while I was still in my mother’s womb. I give thanks to you that I was marvelously set apart. Your works are wonderful—I know that very well. My bones weren’t hidden from you when I was being put together in a secret place, when I was being woven together in the deep parts of the earth.

Big Question: Who am I?

Big Idea: We are God’s beloved children.

We define ourselves by a lot of things – our talents, our interests, what other people say about us, what we say about ourselves. We define our sense of self by things like our grades, our successes, our friendships, what other people think of us and more. Yet if all of those things were to disappear – who would we be?

Scripture tells us that we are fearfully and wonderfully made, God’s handiwork, chosen by God, a new creation, and a child of God. These are wonderful, positive, affirming statements. Yet we all struggle sometimes with believing these things about ourselves. Sometimes we are our own harshest critic. One student shared that this is because we know what’s in our hearts and minds, but we only see the outside of other people.

Scripture tells us that God knows us inside and out and that we are still God’s beloved children. There’s nothing in the universe that can separate us from God’s love. Not grades, not friendships that fall apart, not mistakes we make, not what we or anyone else says about us – nothing! That’s good news. Who are you? You are a child of God, beloved, chosen, precious.

Share Parents, share with your student a time when you experienced God’s love.

Conversation Starters

• What labels do students commonly struggle with?
• What truth about your identity stood out to you?

Personal Challenge Practice affirming your identity in God every day.

Write one of the affirmations from Scripture listed below on a post-it note and put it on your mirror. Repeat it to yourself every time you brush your teeth for the next month. Even if it feels a little silly or you aren’t sure you believe it’s true. Try it!

• I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Psalm 139:14
• I am a child of God. John 1:12
• I am God’s handiwork. Ephesians 2:10
• I am chosen, God’s special possession. 1 Peter 2:9
• I am a new creation. 2 Corinthians 5:17

Family Challenge Take turns sharing one God-given strength or character quality you see in each family member.

Prayer Focus Thank God for creating each member of your family uniquely and intentionally.