Rooted, and the Fruits of the Spirit

January 30, 2025
Dianne Schaumberg

“[T]he fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.”

The first time I joined Rooted was after waiting (a little impatiently) for the fall course in 2023 to start. I had been attending BCC for eight months, was just shy of becoming an official member, and was eager to meet people and deepen my relationship with Jesus. I went in with curiosity, never timid about giving my thoughts or asking questions when I didn’t understand a Biblical quote or concept.

That first experience at Rooted was amazing. We explored topics, listened supportively, let each other cry, gave grace when necessary, and obtained some good friendships. We stayed together as a small group, but when scheduling conflicts couldn’t be resolved, I decided to leave my friends and to lead my own small group. There was one catch, however: In order to lead a small group, I was required to start with a Rooted group! But I had just recycled my Rooted book and was yearning to jump right into connecting with and supporting a new group of folks from church by studying something different. (Can you tell that patience is a fruit of the Spirit that I had to work on?)

So in the fall of 2024, I collected my brand-new Rooted book, the accompanying leader guide, and other instructions for leading. Then I got my assignment: There was a strong need for a leader of women. “Oh, wait. Remember? I’d like a mixed group, please.” Well, God knew what He was doing when He led me to this group of women.

To be a leader, I was to be a servant.

As with my first Rooted group, I could see that we women were different from each other (in age, background, ethnicity, and marital status), yet as we discussed the Bible as it relates to our lives, strongholds, purpose, and faith, I could see how similar we were. As a leader, I was not to attempt to provide all the answers, but to guide others into reflecting out loud. I definitely participated (because when I have something to say, it is hard for me to be quiet; hmm… self-control is a fruit of the Spirit too), but foremost, I encouraged others to make their valuable contributions to our discussions, with the goal of leading them to Christ. It warmed my heart to see that other group members were doing the same. We had lifelong believers as well as someone reentering the church after an absence. Our teamwork in guiding each other to an understanding of what it is like to live a faith-filled existence was absolutely wonderful.

During the whole ten-week period, in addition to working on patience and self-control, I kept one thing prominent in my mind: To be a leader, I was to be a servant. I was extremely joy-filled at being able to use one of my spiritual gifts—hospitality—in welcoming five women to my home every week and requiring nothing from them other than getting themselves there. We enjoyed snacks and fellowship, and then we learned, prayed, laughed, and cried together.

Although I have now gone on to the mixed group I have wanted to lead, I will always remember those ten weeks leading a Rooted group as the fostering of new friendships, the gaining of new perspectives, and a means by which I could work on improving myself by paying attention to the Spirit within me.

I can’t recommend Rooted enough. You never know how God will use the experience to shape your faith and bring you friendships you never imagined. Our next Rooted cohort begins Sunday, February 23rd. You can sign up between now and February 9th at the button below. I can tell you you’ll be grateful you did.

About The Author

Dianne Schaumberg

Dianne Schaumberg is a member of Browncroft Community Church and active in her small group and in short-term missions. Retired from a long career in editing law books and taking a reprieve from directing community theater, Dianne enjoys driving to Buffalo every Monday to watch her grandchildren. She loves to travel, read, attend country-music and Christian-music concerts, and watch any movie that includes monkeys or apes.

Further reading

Rooted, and the Fruits of the Spirit

I will always remember those ten weeks leading a Rooted group as the fostering of new friendships, the gaining of new perspectives, and a means by which I could work on improving myself by paying attention to the Spirit within me.
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