MENU

Where the world comes to study the Bible

1. Dependence on God - Study Questions

This Study Guide is for the Dependence on God article by Ken Boa. Read it first.

Appendix: Study Guide for MEN7/52 Leadership Series

MEN 7/52 is a men's ministry of bible.org. Our desire is to see all men become true followers of Jesus Christ 7 days a week/52 weeks a year.

The Men’s Bible Study Leadership Series is presented by bible.org to help you build and fortify men in preparation for their roles as leaders in their families, churches, communities, and workplaces.

It is a leadership series because no matter what age or station in life a man finds himself, he is called to lead. Leadership hates a vacuum. If a man of God doesn’t stand up and lead, then someone else will and the consequences can be drastic for generations.

It is also a discipleship series because building men’s leadership requires ongoing personal relationships with someone who will shepherd and mentor them over the long term. Just as Christ lived in a community of relationship with His disciples, preparing them to lead, so too must we if we are to grow and be effective.

There are sixteen lessons that are designed to be conducted over a thirty-two week period. Your group should meet weekly at a specific time and place. First, participants should be expected to read all of the Scripture verses thoroughly, on a daily basis, and be encouraged to meditate on them. Second, they should read the article carefully and look for aspects of it that impact them personally. Third, they should complete the discussion questions thoughtfully, completely, and honestly, and diligently address personal applications. Finally, they should be prepared to share their answers during your group sessions.

The articles used in this series are written by Dr. Kenneth Boa. Dr. Boa is engaged in a ministry of relational evangelism and discipleship, teaching, writing, and speaking. He holds a B.S. from Case Institute of Technology, a Th.M. from Dallas Theological Seminary, a Ph.D. from New York University, and a D.Phil. from the University of Oxford in England.

By the time your group has finished this series, relationships and spiritual bonds should have formed. Authentic spiritual interdependence will be experienced, and men will know they are not alone in being who and what God wants them to be. It will be critical for the group to either stay together for the next series, or to stay in close touch weekly to continue the shepherding experience and forming true Christian brotherhood.

Lesson 1

Leadership Qualities: Dependence on God
God richly blesses those who depend on Him exclusively.

Read “Leadership Qualities: Dependence on God”, by Ken Boa and listen to his audio message online.

1. What did you read in this message that was particularly helpful to you?

2. What are the six reasons Jesus gives for trusting in God, rather than worrying?

Read Matthew 6:25-34 and Matthew 10:29-31.

Matthew 6 is a continuation of Jesus’ magnificent Sermon on the Mount. In verses 25 – 34, He lays out the stark contrast between living a life of worry and living a life in total dependence on God the Father. It is a choice between anxiety and faith, and between trust in ourselves and trust in God. The contrasts are stark because Jesus leaves no room for compromise. We can choose one or the other, but not both.

3. Regarding yourself, what do you worry about most?

4. What keeps you awake at night?

5. When do you replace your faith in God with worry?

6. What are the desires that drive your life?

7. In Matthew 6:31-32, who does Jesus tell us are those who chase after food, drink, and clothing?

8. In what ways do you seek God’s kingdom first before seeking the things of this world?

9. In what ways do you put His kingdom second?

10. How do you lead so that others plainly see your faith in God?

11. What changes will you make so you will be totally dependent on God in all things?

Read Psalm 34:19, Jeremiah 20:10, Jeremiah 12:6, Lamentations 3:22-26.

Jeremiah weeps for Israel and her people. He sets out to exhort God’s nation to return to the faith of their fathers and to repent of their disobedience. In the midst of his efforts, Jeremiah meets with rejection. His friends turn against him and wish him harm. Most painful, though, is the betrayal of his own family - his brothers. Yet, Jeremiah presses on, carrying in his heart the message in Psalm 34:19 that the LORD will deliver him from his troubles.

12. Describe a time when a friend turned against you. How did you feel?

13. Have you ever been betrayed by a close family member? Would you share your story with the group and describe your feelings?

14. Has there been a time when you turned against someone close to you? Would you share this with the group?

15. In Lamentations 3:22-23, Jeremiah teaches us the LORD’s attributes and blessings that keep us from being consumed. What are they?

16. Jeremiah goes on in verses 24-26 to describe the ways in which a man shows his dependence on the LORD. What are they?

Read Isaiah 40:27-31, Jeremiah 17:5-8, and Zechariah 4.

God places a premium on our trust and dependence on Him in all things. It is such a high premium that he has specific outcomes for those who depend on Him and for those who do not. Both Jeremiah and Isaiah experienced special blessings as they lived their lives in complete dependence on the LORD, with total trust in His faithfulness.

17. What does Jeremiah 17:5-6 say about those who trust themselves and not the LORD?

18. In verses 7 and 8, what does he say about those who trust Him explicitly?

19. According to Isaiah 40:27-31, what does the LORD do for those who have hope in Him?

20. Have there been times when you felt that God disregarded your pain and your struggles? How did you feel? How did you respond? Would you share your story with the group?

21. What does Zechariah 4:6 mean to you as you lead in your family, your church, your community, and your workplace?

Memory verse: Isaiah 40:31

But those who wait for the Lord’s help find renewed strength;

they rise up as if they had eagles’ wings,

they run without growing weary,

they walk without getting tired.

Report Inappropriate Ad