Growing Roots

If you’ve spent any time around church lately, you’ve probably heard the word "discipleship."

It’s one of those big, "churchy" words that sounds a little intimidating, right? Like you need a master’s degree in theology or a special robe just to participate. It sounds like a lot of work. It sounds... heavy.

But here’s the truth: Discipleship is just a fancy way of saying "learning to walk with Jesus."

Think about it like growing a garden here in Green River. If you’ve ever tried to grow anything in our Wyoming soil, you know it isn’t always easy. We’ve got the wind, the clay, and those sudden frost warnings in June. If a plant is going to survive, it needs deep roots. It needs to be grounded so it doesn’t just blow away the second a storm hits.

Your faith is exactly the same.

Whether you just decided to follow Jesus yesterday or you’ve been sitting in the pews for twenty years but feel like you’re just going through the motions, we all need a roadmap. We all need to know how to grow those roots deep into the soil of God’s grace.

So, let’s get real. Let’s look at a simple roadmap for what it actually looks like to be a follower of Jesus. No jargon. No "holier-than-thou" attitudes. Just a plain look at how we grow together.

1. Foundations in Faith: The "Why" Behind the "What"

Before you can grow up, you have to grow down. You need a foundation.

Everything starts with the Gospel. And look, I know "the Gospel" is another one of those words, but it’s actually the best news you’ll ever hear. It’s the fact that you are more messed up than you’d ever dare admit, but more loved than you ever dared hope.

Ephesians 2:8–9 tells us that we are saved by grace through faith. It’s a gift. You don’t earn it. You don’t "work" your way into God’s good graces by being a "good person." You’re already loved.

Once you get that, you get Assurance. You stop wondering if God is mad at you every time you mess up. You realize you’re His child (Romans 8:15–16). That changes everything. It’s like the difference between a guest in a house and a child in a home. The guest has to be on their best behavior; the child can just be.

How do we stay grounded in that? Bible Basics and Prayer.
I tell people all the time: don’t treat the Bible like a textbook you have to cram for. Treat it like a letter from a friend. Start small. Read a few verses. Ask, "What does this tell me about God?" And then, talk to Him. That’s all prayer is, talking. No "thees" or "thous" required. Just tell Him what’s on your mind. Praise Him, thank Him, and yeah, ask Him for help. He’s listening.

2. Identity & Transformation: Becoming a "New You"

The second part of the roadmap is about who you are now.

2 Corinthians 5:17 says that if anyone is in Christ, they are a new creation. The old stuff is gone. You aren’t just a "better version" of your old self. You’re someone completely different.

But here’s the weird part: even though we’re new, we still struggle with the old stuff. That’s where the Holy Spirit comes in.

Living the Christian life isn’t about "white-knuckling" your way to being a better person. It’s about dependence. It’s about asking the Spirit to guide you and give you the power to do what you can’t do on your own. When we do that, we start to see the "Fruit of the Spirit", love, joy, peace, patience... you know the list (Galatians 5:22–25).

This is where Character Formation happens. It’s the slow, sometimes painful process of God smoothing out our rough edges. It’s learning Obedience, even when it’s hard. It’s choosing kindness when you really want to be snarky. It’s choosing honesty when a lie would be easier. It’s becoming more like Jesus, one day at a time.

3. Belonging in Community: You Can’t Do This Alone

I’m going to be straight with you: you cannot follow Jesus in isolation.

I know our culture loves the "lone ranger" vibe. We like to think it’s just "me and my Bible." But that’s not how God designed it. He designed us for the Church.

Hebrews 10:24–25 tells us not to give up meeting together. Why? Because we need encouragement. We need accountability. We need people who will walk with us when things get messy. At Green River Alliance Church, we call this Real Community. It’s about being part of a family, not just a name on a list.

Part of that belonging involves Baptism and Communion. These aren’t just "rituals." They are markers. Baptism is your public "I’m with Him" moment. Communion is our regular family meal where we remember what Jesus did for us.

And then there’s Fellowship. This isn’t just drinking coffee in the foyer (though we do a lot of that). It’s building relationships that go deep. It’s knowing someone well enough that you can say, "Hey, I’m struggling," and knowing they’ll have your back. If you’re looking for a place to start, check out our ministries page.

4. Mission & Purpose: Live it Out

Once you know who you are and where you belong, it’s time to look outward.

We aren’t just saved from our sins; we are saved for a purpose. Jesus gave us a mission: to make disciples (Matthew 28:19–20).

Now, don’t panic. Evangelism doesn’t mean you have to stand on a street corner with a megaphone. It just means sharing the good news of Jesus naturally. It’s telling your neighbor how God helped you through a rough week. It’s being a "Daily Witness" at your job or in your home just by how you live.

It also means Service. Every one of us has gifts that can build up the church. Maybe you’re great with kids, or you’re a pro at fixing things, or you’re just a really good listener. Use it!

And finally, it means Justice and Compassion. James 1:27 tells us that real religion involves looking after those who are hurting. Whether it’s helping a neighbor or standing up for what’s right, we represent Jesus to the world around us. Faith without works is just talk. We want to be a church that lives it out.

5. Perseverance & Maturity: Finishing Well

The last stop on our roadmap is the long haul.

Life is going to get hard. You’re going to face Trials. James 1:2–4 tells us to "count it all joy" when we meet trials, which sounds absolutely crazy at first. But the point is that suffering grows our faith. It forces those roots to go even deeper into the soil to find water.

As you grow, you’ll reach a point where you can start Discipleship Multiplication. This is just a fancy way of saying "mentoring others." You don’t have to be perfect to help someone else; you just have to be one step ahead of them.

The goal is Endurance. It’s finishing the race. It’s keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus until the very end.

We’re Here to Walk with You

If all of this feels like a lot, remember this: you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

At Green River Alliance Church, our whole "vibe" is walking alongside people. We aren’t a group of people who have it all figured out. We’re a group of people who are all somewhere on this roadmap, trying to grow our roots a little deeper every day.

Whether you have questions about what we believe or you just want someone to pray with, we’d love to connect. You can reach out to us anytime through our contact page.

Let’s stop just "going to church" and start being the church. Let’s grow some roots that can weather any storm.

Thanks for reading.

Kevin Batson
Lead Pastor, Green River Alliance Church