Rooted - Willow Creek Community Church

Chicago 1347 S State Street, Chicago, IL 60605 Crystal Lake 100 South Main Street, Crystal Lake, IL 60014 Español 67 Algonquin Rd Auditorio Lakeside (Entrada D), South Barrington, IL 60010 Huntley 38W133 Huntley Road, Dundee, IL 60118 North Shore 2200 Shermer Rd, Glenview, IL 60026 South Barrington 67 Algonquin Rd, South Barrington, IL 60010 South Lake 625 Barclay Blvd., Lincolnshire, IL 60069 Wheaton 900 N. Prince Crossing Rd., West Chicago, IL 60185 Willow Online

Experience rhythms of faith

Rooted is a 10-week discipleship experience where you’ll learn foundational Christian beliefs, read stories from the global church, and practice spiritual rhythms for daily life that will carry well beyond the set experience.

You’ll experience Rooted in community and learn from the lives and stories of others in your group. Daily devotionals, reflection questions, and prayer prompts will equip you to spend time with God. Then, you’ll meet weekly with your group to share what you’ve learned so that you can grow together. We ask participants to commit to attending at least 8 of the 10 meetings to benefit fully from and foster the best group experience possible.

Rooted registration is now closed for our Fall session. To be notified of our next Rooted session that begins February 4, 2024, fill out the Rooted Interest Form in English or Spanish. Please reach out to your campus group pastor for questions:

Chicago: Thomas Anderson Jr.
Crystal Lake: Dawn Szweda
Huntley: Becky Dawes
North Shore: Paul Daly
South Barrington: Lindsey Jodts
South Barrington Español: Ginna Berreles
South Lake: Julie Jin
South Lake Español: Julie Jin
Wheaton: Sandy Riggs

Please get in touch with us at rooted@willowcreek.org if you have any questions or need further assistance.

Questions about Rooted?

What is Rooted?

What will we explore during our time?

Throughout Rooted, you will have five daily devotional and journaling experiences each week to help you practice the 7 Rooted Rhythms modeled by the early church in Acts 2. These rhythms include daily devotion, prayer, breaking strongholds, sacrificial generosity, community service, sharing your story, and worship. Committed and consistent practice of these rhythms will not only impact you but the whole church.

How do I register and what does it cost?

You can register with your small group under your leader’s name or select the option to join a group. The $35 registration fee covers the whole 10-week experience and includes the Rooted for Willow curriculum book, multiple group experiences, and a graduation celebration where you will share a meal together! We do not want finances to deter you from your Rooted participation. Please reach out to your campus Group Pastor for a scholarship code for financial assistance.

How will my Rooted group meet?

What are the expectations for participating in Rooted?

When will I get my book?

Is there a digital version of the Rooted book?

Rooted Stories

Dave Liu

Natalie Bellantuono

The Seven Rhythms of Rooted

Many of the rhythms you will experience in Rooted, were demonstrated and inspired by the early church in Acts 2. By committing to practicing these rhythms in community, you will begin to see the type of growth and life change that goes beyond the individual to impact the whole church.

Daily Devotion (Acts 2:42, 46)

Scripture is the very Word of God. Through it, He equips us with all we need to learn about Him and live a life pleasing to Him. A daily rhythm of reading, meditating on and applying God’s Word to our lives is key.

Prayer (Acts 2:42)

One of the most important elements in any relationship is communication. Prayer is just that: engaging God in a conversation, sharing our hearts with Him, and spending time listening to His voice, both individually and in community.

Breaking Strongholds (Acts 2:37-39)

We understand that all of us are vulnerable to strongholds. Grace is available to us once and for all, and we are invited to pursue reconciliation from our wrong-doings. With the help of the Spirit, we take inventory of our lives, humbly and honestly confess our sin, and turn away from our sin toward God in surrender. Through Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, we receive true freedom.

Sacrificial Generosity (Acts 2:44-45)

Giving demonstrates our dependence on God. We acknowledge that all we own has been given to us by Him. In His generosity toward us, God desires that we grow in generosity and will use our resources as a tangible way to partner with Him in His work in the world and in the lives of those around us. We are blessed to be a blessing (Genesis 12:2).

Serve the Community (Acts 2:44-45)

We are called and equipped by the Holy Spirit to share God’s love by participating in the ministry of Jesus. He has given us agency with Him to fearlessly influence our society and the world. When we serve in the world and in His Church, we impact those around us and reveal God’s glory.

Share Your Story (Acts 2:14-36)

The greatest gift we can ever give someone who doesn’t yet know Jesus is an introduction to Him. Sharing our life stories is the most powerful way to show the transforming power and salvation offered through Jesus Christ. When we tell our stories of transformation, we tell the story of God. Use the BLESS framework as a way to share life and faith with others:

Begin with Prayer
Listen
Eat a meal
Serve your neighbor
Share your story

Worship (Acts 2:26-28, 46-47)

As children of God, it is important to consistently set aside time to remember what God has done, to thank Him for it, and to put Him on display as we give Him the glory. In all circumstances, we are called to practice God-centered worship.