Topic: “ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE ON GOD” [Church of God Mission International] CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL 6 November 2022
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CGMI ADULT SUNDAY MANUAL
DATE:
SUNDAY 6th NOVEMBER 2022
HYMN:
S,S & S 235 “My faith looks up to Thee”
TOPIC:
“ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE ON GOD”
TEXT:
Psalms 3:5-8; 125:1-3; Jn 15:4-8
CENTRAL THOUGHT:
Our dependence on God should be total and complete at all times
INTRODUCTION:
Almost everyone will love to live excellent lives, but sometimes we experience contrary situations that make life look horrible. In whatever situation we find ourselves, we need to depend absolutely no God. The idea of dependence on God may sound easy and simple, but with fluctuations and extremity of life, it could be quite tasking to practice.
By design, we were created to depend on God, to experience and share in His power, glory and divine authority. The world we live in confronts us daily with allures to depend either on our endowments or on other sources different from God. Nothing and no one, no matter how endowed or powerful can take the place of God.
God is pleased when we put our absolute trust in Him, and this puts us in good stead to fulfill divine mandate and destiny.
In this study, we shall do a scriptural overview about absolute dependence on God and what we stand to benefit by so doing.
LESSON OBJECTIVES:
The objectives of this lesson are to:
- Explain what absolute dependence on God means
- List other things that people usually trust in
- Give scriptural examples of persons who depended on God
- Identify the accessories that can enhance dependence on God
- Discuss the dangers of not and benefits of depending absolutely on God
BIBLE TRUTH:
QUESTION 1A
EXPLAIN THE PHRASE ‘ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE ON GOD’
The word absolute is used to describe something that is not relative or comparative, not doubtful and not adulterated. To depend means to rely on for support, trust and have confidence in someone/something.
Therefore, absolute dependence on God means absolute trust and reliance on God with the firm assurance that His word is all in all. It means to be ruled in everything by the will of God and to put all our actions under the sovereignty of God.
QUESTION 1B
IDENTIFY SOME OTHER THINGS THAT PEOPLE TRUST IN.
According to their orientation, people have devised many things/institutions that they put their trust on (Ps 20:7). The more prominent ones are riches and wealth, family name and family background, political authority, military might, network of friends, fraternity and cults, occupation and income levels and social status.
QUESTION 2
DISTINGUISH BETWEEN ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE ON GOD AND PRESUMPTION Jos 7:3
Absolute dependence on God is the confidence arising from true fellowship with God and a personal encounter. It recognizes the limitations of man and man made devices. It is expressed in strong faith in the word of God garnished with humility and gratitude.
On the other hand, presumption ia an arrogant audacity with no certain basis, anday be devoid of personal encounter with God. Rather it anchors on rituals and solemn objects such as candle, oil, holy water, handkerchiefs etc. Presumption can be likened to faith without works.
QUESTION 3
GIVE SOME SCRIPTURAL EXAMPLES OF PEOPLE THAT DEPENDED ON GOD AND THE RESULTS THEY GOT.
A. ABRAHAM (Gen 12:1-4; 22:1-4). Abraham trusted God by obeying His instructions. He depended on God for a new inheritance and for children of his own loins. He was not disappointed. He was massively blessed with lands, materials and children. He became the father of faith (Rom 4:18-21)
B. JOSEPH (Gen 39:7-9) Joseph trusted God for fulfilment of destiny. He rejected with great risk the ungodly pressure of his master’s wife. He suffered for this but at the end God used the event to save and preserved him and his extended family (Gen 45:4-5)
C. JOSHUA AND CALEB (NUM 14:6-10,24). They believed God and base their report on their faith in Him. While other spies lost out , Joshua and Caleb entered and had inheritance in the land of promise.
D. RUTH (Ruth 1:16-18). Ruth expressed confidence in the God of Israel, followed Naomi back to Israel. God honoured her faith and she became one of the outstanding ancestors in Israel (Matt 1:5)
E. DAVID (1Sam 17:34-50). David depended on God to fight against the giant Goliath. He prevailed, was blessed and was God’s chosen king
F. HANNAH (1Sam 1:9-13, 26-28). Hannah prayed and believed God for a son. God cured her barrenness. Her first son Samuel became a prophet and a judge in Israel.
G. Others include Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah who believed God and did exploits before foreign kings. Paul, Timothy, Apostle John, Priscilla and Aquila, all believers who handed over their lives to God, and they became instruments of supernatural power here on earth.
QUESTION 4.
IDENTIFY SOME HABITS AND ATTITUDES THAT COULD ENHANCE ABSOLUTE DEPENDENCE ON GOD
God has provided the church some faith building measures to enhance our dependence on Him. Below are some of them:
A. The word of God (PS 1:2; Jos 1:8). Having delight in the word of God, studying and mediating on it as well as obedience can enhance dependence on God
B. A prayerful lifestyle (Matt 7:7-8) will promote absolute dependence on God, especially if the prayer is made in line with the will and purpose of God
C. Fellowship and communion (Heb 10:25; Prov 27:17). To be in fellowship with other believers and in communion with God is a strong basis for the development of unwavering trust in God
D. Faith (Rom 4:18-21; Mk 11:24). Faith in God and in His word will help us to cast our burdens on Him always
E. The Holy Spirit (Jn 14:26; Rom 8:26). The in-dwelling presence of the Holy Spirit and His comforting assurance, put the believer in a better stead to trust and depend on God
F. Evangelism (Acts 1:8). Representing God in the field through witnessing provides opportunities to behold supernatural manifestations of God’s power and enhances the believer’s faith.
QUESTION 5A
WHAT ARE THE DANGERS OF NOT DEPENDING ON GOD ABSOLUTELY ? (Ps 49:5-10; Prov 11:28; Jer 17:5-6)
There are grevious consequences when believers do not depend on God absolutely. Opportunity to impact other lives will be lost, frustration and suicidal thoughts may set in, life could become a struggle. It leads to broken relationship within and outside the family. Moreover, such a one will experience the absence of inner peace, Jesus may deny and reject such a person (Matt 7:21) and this of course means eternal damnation and torment in the lake of fire.
QUESTION 5B.
DISCUSS THE BENEFITS OF DEPENDING ABSOLUTELY ON GOD
A life lived in absolute dependence on God will always receive divine direction, obtain fulfilment (Jer 29:11), experience peace and assurance in the midst of challenges.
Depending absolutely on God guarantees God’s provision at the needed time and makes us to bear good fruits. His abiding presence is guaranteed and we live in His good pleasure. Our strength is renewed regularly, and the practice of the faith becomes a thing of pleasure . Such a life will experience fulfilment of destiny and accomplishments of divine mandate. A life lived in absolute dependence on God will inherit eternal life as the ultimate prize
DAILY LIVING APPLICATION
Trusting God is a process and not a single event. It is a relationship with God that is built over time. To depend absolutely on God is to study the word, dwell in His abiding presence, pray always, and speak the promises of God to every situation. Our trust in God must be built on the foundation of Christ’s love and God’s faithfulness.
MEMORY VERSE
Jeremiah 17:7 “Blessed [is] the man that trusteth in the LORD, and whose hope the LORD is”.
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