I recently guided a 15-week discussion for my home group, regarding trees in the
Bible, plus the many encounters between God and humans below trees or besides
shrubs.
We started with an overview of the symbolism of
trees in the Word, and what they teach us about God and His kingdom. From
there, we discussed the “fruits” of our fallen roots—including shame, fear,
insecurity, doubt, jealousy, spiritual depression, anger, prejudice, pride,
conformity, apathy, betrayal, and rebellion. It took us across the Garden, to
Abraham, to Exodus, to the judges, to prophets, to the kings, to all 4 gospels,
to the cross of Christ, and to Revelation. Week 15 ended with a glimpse at the
“harvest” of eternity, with access regained to the Tree of Life, in the final
chapter of the Bible.
Just like any gardening—there were weeks of deep digging, hard soil to
be tilled in my heart; days when nothing appeared but surface, rocks, and sweat,
and weeks of beautiful things blossoming suddenly. I’m thankful for “God’s
fellow workers” at my church The Parkway Church, and that we are “God’s field” (1
Corinthians 3:9)!
I’ve put the table of contents and verses below. I would email each week's discussion on Sunday evening, and we'd discuss on Wednesday evening. I do think this would be a fun study for an outdoor retreat setting, or a garden club too.
If you'd like a PDF of the discussion guide, feel free to email me at paulmatthies@yahoo.com.
Tending the Soul – Trees & Shrubs, Roots & Fruits:
- God is an Arborist - trees & shrubs in the Bible (various texts)
- Adam & Eve – tree of knowledge of good & evil – shame (Genesis 3:1-24)
- Hagar – desert shrub – fear (Genesis 21:8-21)
- Moses – burning bush - insecurity (Exodus 3:1 – 4:17)
- Gideon – terebinth tree – doubt (Judges 6:11-40)
- Saul – tamarisk tree - jealousy (1 Samuel 22:1-23)
- Elijah – broom tree – spiritual depression (1 Kings 19:1-18)
- Jonah – castor oil plant – anger (Jonah 4:1-11)
- Nathanael – fig tree – prejudice (John 1:43-51)
- Zacchaeus – sycamore tree – pride (Luke 19:1-10)
- Jerusalem – palm tree – conformity (Matthew 21:1-17)
- Peter – olive tree – apathy (Mark 14:26-42)
- Judas – redbud tree – betrayal (Matthew 27:1-10)
- Thief – cursed tree (cross) – rebellion (Luke 23:32-43)
- Redeemed – tree of life – eternity (Revelation 22:1-21)
1 Corinthians 3:7-9 English Standard Version (ESV)
“So neither he
who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the
growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will
receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God's fellow
workers. You are God's field, God's building.”
