Welcome to Chapter 6 of ROW Against the Flow: Building on the Rock. This chapter focuses on the call to live lives built not on shifting sands, but on the solid foundation of obedience to Jesus and His teaching—a foundation that stands secure, no matter the storms.

Chapter Focus: Obedience as Secure Foundation

In this chapter, we see:

• Jesus’ words about foundations: In Matthew 7:24–25, Jesus tells us:
  “Everyone who hears these words of mine and does them is like a wise man who built his house on rock. The rain fell, the flood came, and the winds beat against that house, but it did not collapse because it had been founded on rock.” (NET)
• Hearing is not enough: It’s not just listening, but acting in faithful response—obedience is the difference between a life that endures difficulty and one that crumbles.
• Obedience isn’t perfection: It’s a daily, humble walk—sometimes faltering, always returning, consistently choosing God’s will over our own.
• Storms will come: Hardship, temptation, and grief are part of every life; those built on obedience to Jesus have a kind of spiritual resilience.

You’ll find stories and practical encouragement for real-world obedience—at work, home, and in difficult moments.

Let’s Reflect: Conversation Starters

After reading Chapter 6, consider these prompts:

• Where have you noticed the foundation of your life showing cracks or strength when storms hit?
• What’s an area in your life where it’s hard to obey Jesus, but you sense Him inviting you to trust Him anyway?
• How does it encourage or challenge you to know that it’s obedience—doing, not just hearing—that anchors your life securely?
• Share a story: When obedience led to unexpected peace or strength, how did it change your “foundation”?

Offer your thoughts, a question, or a new step you want to take in obedience—your journey will encourage others “building on the rock.”

What’s Next?

• Continue the journey: Read ahead in the PDF, or return next week for Chapter 7.
• Invite a friend: These truths grow deeper when we discuss and practice together—consider who you might invite.
• Practice obedience: This week, ask: what’s one area where God is calling me not just to listen, but to act?

Thank you for seeking to build your life on the unshakable foundation of Jesus’ teaching. Let’s help each other move from hearing to doing—because that’s where lasting security and joy are found.

Chapter 6: Building on the Rock

One of the beautiful consequences of keeping my “Yes” on the table, the green light for Jesus, was the adoption journey my wife Heather and I went on. That story is a whole book in itself, but we ended up adopting six kids, three girls and three boys. Our house was full of life and love and a fascinating blend of superior organization and chaos.  

My youngest daughter Ella had some deep emotional problems in her late teens and took her own life at age 18. That story is longer and more intricate, as you can imagine, but that is the short of it. On an otherwise wonderful evening where she was watercolor painting, helping us in the kitchen, singing and laughing, she got a phone call that her relationship with a certain boy was over. She couldn’t manage the mental pain and took a bunch of meds she had on her desk. Ella told Heather about it and they were on the way to the hospital to reverse the decision when she died in my arms as they were leaving. 

You’ve probably been wondering if I really know about life’s storms personally, and whispers from the enemy, and if I have experienced any deeply troubling events to speak so confidently about spiritual warfare. I will “play that card” now. Ella was my baby girl, my princess. Even at 18 years old, I could look at her, cock my head, and say “Oh Ella” and she would come running to give me a hug. We danced, made up songs, laughed plenty and to say she broke my heart by taking her own life is a huge understatement. She did try to reverse her fatal decision, but there was no way to turn it around. There is no way to write this without blurry eyes and it has been two and a half years. 

If I had not been practicing saying “Yes” to Jesus and learning to trust Him in the previous 30 years I do not expect I could have made it through the depressive whispers, the storm surge that threatened to take me into the whirlpool.  

You may not trust Jesus very much yet. That’s okay for now, but you’ve got to practice trusting Him. He says something, you do it. He offers wisdom, you take it. He opens His heart to you, you open your heart to Him. He says trust Him and you do. This is very relational and it doesn’t happen all of a sudden. In fact, your relationship with Jesus is the only one that makes sense to ask Him to help you trust Him more, love Him more, to become more intimate with Him. Imagine asking your spouse or friend to help you love them more. That gets awkward doesn’t it? Jesus, however, is God Almighty and doesn’t mind that at all. 

He wants to help you trust Him and He is completely worthy of your trust. He wants you to weather the storm with Him by your side. 

In our journey through spiritual warfare, we’ve explored the reality of the battle, the consequences of the fall, Christ’s liberating work, and our authority in Him. Now, we turn our attention to a crucial aspect of our faith: building a life that can withstand the storms of life. Jesus provides us with a powerful metaphor for this in the parable of the wise and foolish builders. 

The Parable of the Wise and Foolish Builders 

At the end of Jesus’ manifesto about the Kingdom of God he gives a story that should wake us up. This parable provides a stark contrast between two types of people: those who hear Jesus’ words and put them into practice, and those who hear, but do not act. The difference in outcomes is dramatic – one house stands firm, while the other is completely destroyed. When we build our lives on obedience to Jesus, the devil may shake our house but it won’t fall.

“Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and don’t do what I tell you? “Everyone who comes to me and listens to my words and puts them into practice—I will show you what he is like: He is like a man building a house, who dug down deep, and laid the foundation on bedrock. When a flood came, the river burst against that house but could not shake it, because it had been well built. But the person who hears and does not put my words into practice is like a man who built a house on the ground without a foundation. When the river burst against that house, it collapsed immediately, and was utterly destroyed!” — Luke 6:46-49 

Jesus gave the enemy no footholds, there was nothing to exploit. No disordered desires to draw Him away from doing just the Father commanded Him. There were no trust issues to work out. Jesus heard the whispers of the devil to be sure, but He counteracted those whispers with the truth of Scripture and a life of obedience to the Father. 

“I will not speak with you much longer, for the ruler of this world is coming. He has no power over me, but I am doing just what the Father commanded me, so that the world may know that I love the Father. Get up, let us go from here.” — John 14:30-31 

Practical Steps to Apply Jesus’ Teachings 

1. Study and Understand: Regularly engage with Scripture to understand Jesus’ teachings. This might involve daily Bible reading, participating in Bible studies, or listening to sermons. 
2. Reflect and Internalize: Take time to meditate on what you’ve read or heard. Ask yourself, “What does this mean for my life?” Remember that building a strong foundation is a lifelong process. Be open to learning and growing. 
3. Identify Specific Actions: For each teaching, think about concrete ways you can apply it in your daily life. For example, if Jesus teaches about forgiveness, identify a specific person you need to forgive. 
4. Start Small: Don’t try to change everything at once. Begin with small, specific, manageable steps of obedience. Every time you have an opportunity, write out an I Will Statement and share it with someone for support. “I will…..” “I will talk to my brother and ask for forgiveness on Tuesday.” View difficulties as opportunities to strengthen your faith and put Jesus’ teachings into practice. 
5. Seek Accountability: Share your goals with a trusted friend or mentor who can encourage you and hold you accountable. Surround yourself with other believers who can support and encourage you in your faith journey. 
6. Practice Regularly: Make applying Jesus’ teachings a daily habit. Consistency is key in building a strong foundation. Practices like fasting, solitude, and service can deepen your faith and strengthen your spiritual foundation. 
7. Evaluate and Adjust: Regularly assess how you’re doing and make adjustments as needed. Be honest with yourself about areas where you’re struggling. 

Practical Application: R.O.W. in Action 

Repent: Identify areas where you’ve been hearing Jesus’ words but not putting them into practice. Confess this to God and turn away from this pattern. 

Obey: Choose one specific teaching of Jesus that you’ve struggled to apply. Make a concrete plan to put it into practice this week. 

Worship: Thank God for His Word and the wisdom it provides. Praise Him for being the solid rock on which we can build our lives. 

Conclusion

Building our lives on the rock – on Jesus and His teachings – is not a one-time event, but a continuous process. It requires intentionality, effort, and perseverance. But the result is a life that can withstand the storms of this world, a life that stands as a testimony to the power and wisdom of God. Following Jesus is stepping where He steps and stopping where He stops and loving whom He loves. 

As we continue to repent, obey, and worship, we’re not just going through religious motions. We’re actively building our lives on the unshakeable foundation of Christ. This is how we become unstoppable in our faith, how we truly “ROW against the flow” of a world that often pushes us away from God. 

Remember, the storms will come, the currents will rage, that’s a guarantee in this life, but when we’ve built our lives on the rock of Christ and His teachings, we can face those storms with confidence, knowing that our foundation is secure. 

Reflection

1. In what areas of your life have you been hearing Jesus’ words but struggling to put them into practice? 
2. The chapter highlights that trust is developed through practice—saying “Yes” to Jesus even when it’s difficult. How can you practice trusting Jesus in the middle of a personal “storm surge,” even if you don’t trust Him very much yet?
3. Jesus gave the enemy “no footholds” because He had no disordered desires or trust issues. In what ways might your own lack of trust or obedience be giving the enemy a “foothold” in your life, and how can you address this?
4. The chapter emphasizes the importance of “digging down deep” by putting Jesus’ words into practice. What is one specific area of your life where you need to transition from simply hearing His words to actively applying them, starting with a concrete “I Will Statement”?
5. What specific steps can you take this week to start building a stronger spiritual foundation? 
6. How might your life look different if you consistently applied Jesus’ teachings in every area? 

Prayer Focus

Heavenly Father, we come before You with humble hearts, recognizing our need for a solid foundation in life. We thank You for the wisdom of Jesus’ teachings and the parable of the wise and foolish builders. 

Lord, help us to be not just hearers of Your Word, but doers also. Give us the courage and strength to put Your teachings into practice in our daily lives. When we face challenges or temptations, remind us of the importance of building our lives on the solid rock of obedience to Christ. 

We confess the times we’ve built our lives on shifting sands – on our own wisdom, on worldly values, or on fleeting pleasures. Forgive us for these moments of foolishness and help us to turn back to You as our true foundation. 

Holy Spirit, guide us in applying Jesus’ teachings to our lives. Give us discernment to understand His words and wisdom to know how to live them out. Help us to start with small steps of obedience and grow in our faith day by day. 

Father, we pray for strength to persevere in building our spiritual foundation, even when it’s difficult or unpopular. Help us to dig deep, past surface-level faith, to a place of true commitment and trust in You. 

Lord Jesus, thank You for being our Solid Rock. Thank You for the example You set in perfect obedience to the Father. Help us to follow in Your footsteps, to step where You step and stop where You stop, loving who You love. 

We pray for our Christian community – our church, our small groups, our families. Help us to encourage and support one another in building lives of obedience to Christ. May we be accountable to each other and spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 

Father, we know that storms will come in our lives. When they do, help us to stand firm on the foundation we’ve built in Christ. Give us peace in knowing that our lives are secure in You, no matter what challenges we face. 

For those of us facing storms right now, we pray for Your strength and comfort. Help us to see these challenges as opportunities to trust You more deeply and to put Your teachings into practice. 

Finally, Lord, we pray that our lives would be a testimony to Your faithfulness. As we build our lives on the rock of obedience to Christ, may others see the difference it makes and be drawn to You. 

We pray all this in the mighty name of Jesus, our solid rock and firm foundation. Amen.

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