Cutaway showing the roots of a tree growing in windy conditions.
Just as there are natural forces that can uproot or destroy a tree, there are forces that try to uproot each of us from our spiritual foundations in Jesus Christ (see Helaman 5:12). Paul wrote his epistle to the Colossians because their faith was threatened by false teachings and practices. This lesson can help you recognize forces that threaten your faith and ways you can be more steadfast in Jesus Christ.
Using objects and pictures. Objects and pictures can help students visualize the people, places, events, things, and symbols in the scriptures. One way to help students visualize is to invite them to draw the objects mentioned in the scriptures.
Student preparation: Invite students to draw or take a picture of their favorite kind of fruit tree and bring the picture to class. Ask them to think of spiritual lessons we can learn from trees.
Possible Learning Activities
How are you like a tree?
Consider inviting a volunteer to draw a tree on the board. Use student responses in the following activity to fill out the picture on the board. Also invite students to add to their own picture or drawing from the student preparation activity. Encourage students to keep adding ideas throughout the lesson.
Draw a picture of your favorite fruit tree. You will add to it throughout the lesson.
Think about how you are like this tree. For example, think of forces that are trying to uproot or destroy your faith in Christ. Think about why you need help standing strong against those forces to enjoy the fruits of the gospel.
Paul used the symbol of a tree to help the Saints in Colossae see the importance of their relationship with Jesus Christ more clearly. He also used it to strengthen them against false teachings and practices that were threatening their faith in Jesus Christ. Seek inspiration from the Holy Ghost to better understand Paul’s words and strive to apply them.
Fruits of the tree
Think about the fruit that comes from the tree you drew and why you like it.
Read Colossians 1:10–22. Look for the “fruits” (or blessings) that Paul describes, and think about why you desire these fruits. Draw fruits on your tree and label them with Paul’s teachings.
What fruits or blessings did Paul identify?
Consider inviting students to respond to the following questions in their study journals and then inviting volunteers to share with the class what they wrote.
Which of these fruits are you currently enjoying?
Which do you want to enjoy? Why?
Write in your study journal the following statement, and include your answers to the previous question in the first blank:If I want , I need to .
Read Colossians 1:23, looking for what Paul said is required for us to receive these fruits. Fill in the second blank with what you find.
Here is one way to complete this truth: If I want to be strengthened and receive redemption and peace through Christ, I need to continue in the faith grounded and settled. Grounded and settled could also mean established and firm or “steadfast and immovable” (Mosiah 5:15).
What does it look like to “continue in the faith grounded and settled”? (Colossians 1:23).
What do you know about Jesus Christ that encourages you to continue grounded and settled in Him?
What additional truths about Him did you find in these verses that increase your confidence or desire to be grounded and settled in Him?
Read Colossians 2:6–7, looking for what Paul taught about the roots of our tree. Label the ground around your tree based on what he says.
Where did Paul teach that we need to plant our roots?
What do you think it means to be “rooted” in Christ?
How does rooting ourselves in Jesus Christ help us be grounded and settled? What does that look like?
Think about someone you know who demonstrates being grounded, settled, and rooted in Christ.
If students would benefit from an example, consider sharing one or both of the following examples.
The following are two examples of people rooted in Christ. Young Men General President Steven J. Lund shared an example of his very ill son continuing to faithfully fulfill his priesthood duties. If possible, watch “Finding Joy in Christ” from time code 0:09 to 3:57 to hear this story.
Brother M. Joseph Brough, who served in the Young Men General Presidency, shared a story about his teenage daughter faithfully enduring the challenges of moving to a new area and choosing to serve a mission. If possible, watch “Lift Up Your Head and Rejoice” from time code 5:48 to 7:48 to hear this account.
Invite students to share their thoughts about the people they thought of. Have them explain in pairs or small groups what they draw in the following activity.
Draw deep and strong roots for your tree. Label some of the roots with attributes these people have or actions they take that you feel firmly connect them to Jesus Christ.
Review Colossians 1:23; 2:6–7. Then read Colossians 2:8, 12 and the following statement by President Dallin H. Oaks of the First Presidency. Label the roots of your tree with additional ways we can connect ourselves to the Savior more firmly.
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Official Portrait of President Dallin H. Oaks taken March 2018.
We must seek to be firmly rooted and converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ (see Colossians 2:6–7). We achieve this conversion by praying, by scripture reading, by serving, and by regularly partaking of the sacrament to always have His Spirit to be with us. We must also seek that mighty change of heart (see Alma 5:12–14) that replaces evil desires and selfish concerns with the love of God and the desire to serve Him and His children.
Invite students to share the “roots” they identified. Discuss some or all of the following questions as needed:
How have you felt more connected to the Savior as you have followed the example of those who are grounded and settled in Christ?
How can participating in gospel ordinances such as baptism (see Colossians 2:12) connect you more firmly to Christ?
How would your life be different if you were more firmly grounded and settled in Christ?
Many people might make choices that could deepen their roots in Christ, but the way they follow through with those choices doesn’t actually produce meaningful results. For example, someone may read their scriptures daily but not take the time to identify, ponder, and apply truths from the scriptures. Ponder how you follow through with your choices and if you need to make changes.
Withstanding the forces that uproot
Just as there are natural forces that can uproot or destroy a tree, there are forces that try to uproot us from our spiritual foundations in Jesus Christ.
Around your tree, draw winds or storms that may uproot your tree. Label these winds and storms with forces that could spiritually uproot you from being grounded and settled in Jesus Christ. You may want to read Colossians 2:4, 8 to see some of the forces that the Saints in Colossae were experiencing.
How can the roots you identified today help you receive the Savior’s power to stand strong against the forces you identified?
If possible, watch “Spiritual Whirlwinds” (2:24). Look for how being grounded and settled in Christ can help you.
Seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to identify what you are doing well and what you can do better to become more grounded and settled in Jesus Christ. Write down your thoughts and impressions in your study journal, and commit to following through on them.
Commentary and Background Information
Why do we need to be rooted in Christ?
Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained:
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Last official portrait of Elder Neal A. Maxwell, 1992.
Events and circumstances in the last days make it imperative for us as members of the Church to become more grounded, rooted, established, and settled (see Colossians 1:23; 2:7; 2 Peter 1:12). Jesus said to His disciples, “settle this in your hearts, that ye will do the things which I shall teach, and command you” [Joseph Smith Translation, Luke 14:28]. If not so settled, the turbulence will be severe. If settled, we will not be “tossed to and fro” [Ephesians 4:14], whether by rumors, false doctrines, or by the behavioral and intellectual fashions of the world. …
However, we cannot be thus settled in doing what Jesus has commanded unless we are first settled about Him. … Our task, therefore, is to “reconcile [ourselves] to the will of God, and not to the will of … the flesh” (2 Nephi 10:24).
You may also want to watch “Finding Refuge from the Storms of Life” from time code 0:00 to 3:49 to see Elder Ricardo P. Giménez offer additional insights.
Colossians 2:13–15. What did Paul teach the Saints in Colossae about the symbolism of the Savior’s Crucifixion?
Paul reminded the Saints in Colossae that God had forgiven them (see Colossians 1:14, 20, 22). The imagery that Paul used in Colossians 2:14–15 emphasizes how Christ’s Atonement makes it possible for our sins to be forgiven. In Paul’s day it was customary for Romans to write on a placard the crimes committed by a condemned person. When the wrongdoer was crucified, the placard was also nailed to the cross for all passersby to see (see John 19:19–22). Paul used this imagery in verses 13–15 to teach the Colossians that they had been forgiven. It was as though a list of all of the spiritual charges and accusations against the Colossian Saints were placed on a placard and nailed to the cross. Through the Crucifixion of Jesus Christ, these were erased or blotted out.
Invite students to share some of their favorite accounts from the Savior’s life. Ask them to identify attributes the Savior showed in those accounts. Then invite them to think of people they know who exemplify these attributes. Ask them to share reasons they enjoy being around these people. Invite students to study Colossians 3:12–24, looking for Christlike attributes or characteristics. They might also find ways they can develop these attributes. Invite students to seek Heavenly Father’s help through the Holy Ghost to select one attribute that they would like to work on for the next month or two. They could then create a plan for how they can seek Heavenly Father’s help to develop that attribute.