This 2-part teaching series is based on a true story, of a young boy whose next door neighbor was a doctor.  The doctor’s home was situated on approximately 11 acres of land.  The doctor enjoyed planting different trees each year throughout his property.  One day the boy asked the doctor, “What’s the key to growing strong trees?”  The doctor’s reply shocked the boy.  He said, “Don’t water the trees.” 

The boy said, “I’ve always heard that you should water trees, especially when they are freshly planted.  Why don’t you water them?”  The doctor replied, “If you water a tree on a regular basis, its roots will begin to stay close to the surface, because that’s where they receive water.  But, if you don’t water it, the roots will have to grow deep into the ground, deep enough to find their own source of water.”

He then explained, “You can see two trees – one which has never been watered and one which has been watered on a consistent basis.  They may look the same, above the surface.  The only way you’ll see the difference is when a storm comes, and the strong winds blow.  Then, the tree which has been watered regularly, will be blown down by the strong winds, because of its shallow root system.  But, the tree that wasn’t watered will stand strong, regardless of how strong the wind blows, because its roots are so deep in the ground.”

In these teachings, Mark relates this principle to two types of trees from the Bible, The Palm Tree, and The Cedar.  This is one of Mark’s favorite teaching series, because it reveals why we, as Christians, should find our own water, and not be reliant on someone else to “water us” daily.  We need to grow our spiritual roots deep in the ground, so we can withstand whatever storms the enemy may send our way.  You will learn much as you hear these teachings, not only about the unusual characteristics of these two types of trees, which are never watered, but you’ll also learn more about how to grow in God, and develop a strong, intimate relationship with Christ.