Leadership Qualities: Dependence on God
(Click on the following link to view Lesson 1)
http://media1.razorplanet.com/share/510947-6339/siteDocs/EWC-MM-DependenceOnGod.doc
Scripture Readings
Matthew 6: 25-34
Matthew 10: 29-31
Psalm 34: 19
Jeremiah 12:6
Jeremiah 20:10
Lamentations 3:22-26
Isaiah 40:27-31
2Kings 18:21
Isaiah 36:6
Jeremiah 17:5-8
Habakkuk 2:4
Proverbs 29:25
1Samuel 2:30
Zechariah 4
Discussion Questions (based on Scripture Readings)
God richly blesses those who depend on Him exclusively.
Read "Leadership Qualities: Dependence on God", by Dr. Kenneth 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 Psalms 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 Psalms 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.