Bloom Where You're Planted

Without a doubt, we will all walk through hard seasons in life, but because we belong to God, we don’t have to rely on our own strength or even our own ability to understand. We can bloom in every season if we are planted in the soil of God’s Word daily. We continue to produce fruit from the pursuit of God and His Word even when we don’t see it because we simply believe His Word is true. It is the foundation of our faith.

KEY SCRIPTURES

• 2 Corinthians 1:19–20
• Galatians 6:9
• Proverbs 11:25

You will bloom where you are planted when you know:

1. God has called you to this.

If God has called you, he has equipped you. This is why your heart has to be rooted in His word so that you can know his heart for your life. Jeremiah 29:11 says he has a future and a hope.

2. There is fruit in every season of your life.

There is a temptation in hard seasons to give up. Psalms 1:1:3 says, “They are like trees by the riverbank, bearing fruit in every season” (NLT). It is easy to give up in hard seasons and even become isolated. Our biggest defense against the temptation to isolate and feel sorry for ourselves is to serve others.

3. The blessing comes when we don’t give up.

Galatians 6:9 tells us not to give up! Our faith has the opportunity to grow if we just keep moving forward in obedience to the place we’ve been called. Difficult seasons are an opportunity to grow, but the temptation will always be to quit.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever had a season in your life where you just wanted to quit? Serve others.
2. How has this message encouraged you to keep moving forward and not give up?
3. Do you have a testimony of serving on the A-Team, being a part of a B-group, or attending an outreach that unexpectedly blessed you more than those you served? Share with the group.

CHALLENGE: 

I don’t know about you, but I don’t want to miss the blessings of God in my life. Maybe this week, you need to take your burdens back to the Lord. The Bible says in Romans 7:5–6, “Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you” (NKJV). If you have found yourself in a season of questioning God and his faithfulness, today is your opportunity to go back to His Word. Remembering the scriptures we have read today, let them encourage you. When you feel the temptation to quit, go to church, call a friend, or get plugged in and serve on a Sunday.