In January 2023, Lake Avenue Church will launch a small-group discipleship program known as “Rooted.” Discipleship is at the very heart of Jesus’ ministry, and Pastor Mathew’s vision is that it will be the cornerstone of LAC. In a world that is crowded with discipleship programs, Rooted stands out for the dramatic change it has made in churches internationally.
Rooted is a transformational small-group experience where you will have the opportunity to deepen your connection with God, grow together in community and discover how to use your gifts and talents more fully for His Kingdom. The Rooted experience is designed to energize existing small groups, as well as provide a pathway to connect individuals to new groups.
Rooted involves a 10-week discipleship journey, a serious commitment that inspires questions and conversations that are designed to help you better understand God and His plan for you. Together in a small group, you will study the Bible in daily devotions, engage in prayer and service experiences, share stories and practice the spiritual rhythms modeled by the early church in Acts 2.
Through the Rooted journey, you will begin to see God in new ways and hear His voice in surprising places. You’ll experience a different way of life as you connect with God, your small group members, the church, the community, and your purpose.
We encourage you to come with an open heart and see how God surprises you!
Groups are being formed now for the Winter/Spring Session, which will begin on Sunday, January 22, 2023. Registration opens Sunday, December 18, 2022. Click on the link below today if you would like to join a group.
Here is what a few Rooted Pilot Program participants had to say:
“Rooted is an amazing opportunity to unite our church in a deeper way. People who may have different views will get to know and love their brother and sister in Christ and experience that we are all in God’s family together.” — Esther Choe
“Rooted has encouraged my walk with God. It’s been helpful to study spiritual disciplines and put them into practice. Learning and growing within our small group has been a rich experience as we’ve shared on a deep level and encouraged one another.” — Carol Misakian
Join a Group
If you’d like to explore how to get connected, fill out the form below and we can get you started!
General FAQ
What is Rooted?
Rooted is a transformational small-group experience where you will have the opportunity to deepen your connection with God, grow together in community and discover how to use your gifts and talents more fully for His Kingdom. The Rooted experience is designed to energize existing small groups, as well as provide a pathway for new people to become connected.
What makes Rooted unique?
Rooted was founded by churches in Africa, which makes it rather unique to Western minds. Too many churches in America rely mostly on theological information as our primary motivator for change. Rooted was created to bridge the disparity between what we believe and how we live.
In a world that is crowded with discipleship programs, Rooted stands out for the dramatic change it has made in churches internationally. Through the Rooted journey, you will begin to see God in new ways, and hear His voice in surprising places. You’ll experience a different way of life as you connect with God, your small group members, the church, the community and your purpose.
Why is LAC launching Rooted at this time?
Rooted’s emphasis on discipleship through small groups fits perfectly with Pastor Mathew’s vision for LAC. Eight years ago, LAC leaders discovered that several churches had undergone dramatic change through Rooted. Pastor Mathew reviewed the program and concluded that it could serve, in conjunction with his accompanying messages, as the foundation for discipleship at LAC.
In the fall, six pilot groups comprising 50 individuals in total went through the 10-week journey. Reactions to the Rooted experience to-date have been extraordinarily positive. Now we are offering this experience churchwide to all who want to take part in the Rooted journey.
How do I join a Rooted small group?
It’s easy! Simply visit www.lakeave.org/rooted and click on the link at the bottom of the page to explore the small groups that are available. If you have any questions, please contact Matt Sanders at .
Where and when do the Rooted small groups meet?
Groups have been established to meet in different locations on various days and times. Please see the small groups page on Lake Avenue’s website at www.lakeave.org/rooted for more information.
Are the Rooted groups co-ed and/or intergenerational?
Groups have been structured to meet the many different needs of our members – open/mixed, women only, men only and couples groups. You will see additional information in the group descriptions on the Rooted webpage at www.lakeave.org/rooted.
What is the level of commitment required in Rooted?
Rooted involves a 10-week discipleship journey, a serious commitment that inspires questions and conversations that are designed to help you better understand God and His plan for you. Together in a small group, you will study the Bible in daily devotions, engage in prayer and service experiences, share stories and practice the spiritual rhythms modeled by the early church in Acts 2.
Daily devotion time may depend on the participant, but pilot group members have reported spending on average about 15 to 30 minutes per day for five days of study each week. Weekly group meetings are designed to run no longer than two hours at a time.
What will happen to small groups at the end of the initial 10-week Rooted journey?
Discipleship through small groups will remain a cornerstone of the church. It is our hope that those who have graduated from Rooted will continue to meet in small groups – either in their Rooted group or another small group. LAC is currently evaluating different materials for these groups to consider using in the future – stay tuned!
Can I join a small group at LAC that is not part of Rooted?
Not at this time. For the 10 weeks starting January 22, 2023, Pastor Mathew is asking all small groups, adult communities and ministries to participate in its churchwide rollout of the Rooted journey.
I’ve read the Rooted materials, and I feel that there is more to the elements of discipleship than I find there. Does LAC plan to supplement the Rooted materials?
The Rooted materials represent a good foundation for discipleship. Pastor Mathew is creating 10 separate Sunday morning messages to supplement Rooted for a broader presentation of discipleship. In addition, based on feedback from the pilot groups, facilitators are being given supplemental resources to enhance, and in some cases clarify, the Rooted materials.
How do I participate in Rooted if I’m a member of an adult community? We have class time with discussion around tables, and some small groups that meet during the week.
Pastor Mathew has asked all adult communities to adopt Rooted in some way for the 10-week period. Based on what we learned in the pilot groups, the most meaningful Rooted experience will be found in small groups that meet outside of class time for 2 hours per week (and then use regular class time to discuss questions relating to the weekly sermons).
The next best option is for the adult classes to arrange their meeting times so that all class members are divided into small groups who meet around tables as Rooted Groups for 1.5 to 2 hours. Please contact Pastor Bill Mead at or 626.817.4882 for more information.
I’m in multiple small groups that are participating in Rooted, and our adult class also is discussing the topics weekly. Can I overdose on Rooted?
We don’t think so. The preparation you do for one group will satisfy what’s needed for the other groups, but you may find that discussion in one group could be very different from that of another – and your experience will actually be richer because of the various perspectives.
How do I sign up if all the Rooted small groups are filled?
Every effort will be made to enroll anyone who wants to participate in the churchwide Rooted experience. If you find all of the groups are at full capacity, please contact Matt Sanders at prior to January 22, 2023.
Can I join a small group after the Rooted program has begun on January 22, 2023?
Rooted is designed to help you grow in your relationship with God and connect more deeply in community when your group meets. It also strives to create a safe environment for sharing some of the most important things in life. These goals are best achieved if members participate for the entire 10 weeks. If you wish to join after January 22, we ask that you wait for the next Rooted session and contact Matt Sanders at .
Because of my schedule, I’ll have to miss several small group meetings – is that okay?
If you know you are going to miss more than two of the 10 sessions, we recommend that you sign up for the next Rooted experience.
When is the next Rooted experience?
LAC plans to start new Rooted groups after Easter 2023; the exact date is yet to be determined.
What are the spiritual rhythms of Rooted?
Through the use of Rooted materials, you will practice seven spiritual rhythms of a disciple that are the foundation of the Rooted experience. These rhythms are not new; each was practiced by the early church in Acts 2. The seven rhythms of Rooted are:
- Daily Devotion
- Prayer
- Repentance
- Sacrificial Generosity
- Serve the Community
- Share Your Story
- Worship
What are the outside experiences mentioned in the Rooted materials?
There are three experiences that are designed to deepen some of the areas you will explore in the Rooted materials. You’ll pray and fast together, share faith stories and serve together.
Lead a Group
Individuals who lead (or co-lead) Rooted groups are called facilitators, to distinguish the fact that their role is not to teach but to create an environment among group members that promotes authentic discussions, a deeper biblical understanding, and lifestyle transformation.
The actual teaching is left to the written curriculum and the Holy Spirit during daily devotionals and weekly group time.
Being a facilitator or co-facilitator is a journey with extensive support, including:
- A half-day of training led by Pastors Matthew and Bill for all facilitators on January 14, 2023, from 9 am to 12 pm.
- A Facilitator Guide provided that is part of the Rooted curriculum
- A customized LAC Facilitator Training Guide that captures the lessons learned from the pilot groups, which will enhance the facilitator’s experience and abilities
- A weekly e-mail with attachments that include important reminders and resources during the 10-week program
- An experienced rooted coach for every six facilitators to check in weekly and be a resource, as one who has already worked through the curriculum in the pilot groups
If you would like to be a facilitator, to guide your group and care for them, please connect with Matt Sanders at or Debbie Gonzalez at .
Facilitator FAQ
What is the role of a facilitator?
The role of a facilitator is to create an environment that promotes authentic discussions, deeper biblical understanding and lifestyle transformation among group members.
Creating this environment, in turn, gives group members a new and renewed passion for:
- knowing God and hearing His voice
- an open and intimate prayer life
- a deeper personal relationship with Jesus
- living a lifestyle consistent with their faith
- fulfilling their role and God’s purpose in the local church and community
- intentionally sharing their faith
More information about the role of a facilitator will be in the Rooted Facilitator Guide and the LAC Facilitator Training Guide.
Why does Rooted distinguish between a facilitator versus a leader or teacher?
It is important to point out that the one responsibility a facilitator does not have is that of a teacher. All of the teaching is left to the written curriculum and the Holy Spirit during the weekly group time. Your role as a Rooted facilitator is to be a shepherd. You are to guide your group and care for them, but not to preach an agenda.
More information about the role of a facilitator will be in the Rooted Facilitator Guide and the LAC Facilitator Training Guide.
Can you share an example of how a facilitator’s role would differ from that of a teacher?
A classic example of facilitation versus teaching would come from a question “What is meant by the scripture that we read this week.” The first impulse should not be to feel that you must authoritatively answer the question, but to ask other group members for their views. If the answer is beyond the knowledge of the group, you as a facilitator should commit to getting back to them the following week, after consulting your resources. It is important to steer the discussion so that everyone participates, and to redirect conversations when appropriate.
How much preparation time will be required of facilitators?
Preparation time required for facilitators is similar to that of the group members for daily devotionals (15 to 30 minutes a day), plus some extra time needed to pray for all of the group members weekly, to review the brief LAC weekly lesson summaries and review the Rooted Facilitator guide to plan the “flow” of the meeting.
What support will be provided to facilitators?
LAC will provide extensive support for facilitators, including:
- A half-day of training led by Pastors Mathew and Bill for all facilitators on January 14, 2023, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m.
- A customized LAC Facilitator Training Guide that captures the lessons learned from the pilot groups, which will enhance the facilitator’s experience and abilities
- A weekly email with attachments that include important reminders and resources during the 10-week program
- An experienced Rooted coach for every six facilitators to check in weekly and be a resource, as one who has already worked through the curriculum in the pilot groups
The Rooted Facilitator Guide also has a wealth of information available to all facilitators.
How do I sign up to be a facilitator?
If you would like to be a facilitator, to guide your group and care for them, please connect with Matt Sanders at or Debbie Gonzalez at .
