Question 1

What does it mean to depend on God?

Accepted Answer

1 Chronicles 29:11-15O our God, we thank you and praise your glorious name! But who am I, and who are my people, that we could give anything to you? Everything we have has come from you, and we give you only what you first gave us!Depending on God is understanding who God is and who we are. God is the Creator and sustainer of all things, including your life. If he created us, he knows us inside and out, and we can depend on him to tell us what is best for us and how to live the most fulfilling life possible.2 Corinthians 1:8-10We think you ought to know, dear brothers and sisters, about the trouble we went through in the province of Asia. We were crushed and overwhelmed beyond our ability to endure, and we thought we would never live through it. In fact, we expected to die. But as a result, we stopped relying on ourselves and learned to rely only on God, who raises the dead. And he did rescue us from mortal danger, and he will rescue us again. We have placed our confidence in him, and he will continue to rescue us.Depending on God is relying on him for our very lives and placing our confidence for today and tomorrow in him.Psalm 16:2I said to the Lord, “You are my Master! Every good thing I have comes from you.”2 Corinthians 3:5It is not that we think we are qualified to do anything on our own. Our qualification comes from God.Depending on God is recognizing the source of our strength, of our successes, and of all good things in our lives. What we have ultimately comes from his hand of mercy.Deuteronomy 33:27“The eternal God is your refuge, and his everlasting arms are under you. He drives out the enemy before you; he cries out, ‘Destroy them!’”Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.Psalm 62:8O my people, trust in him at all times. Pour out your heart to him, for God is our refuge.Depending on God is living with God as our constant refuge. He can take care of us better than anyone.

Question 2

Why should we depend on God?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 14:31When the people of Israel saw the mighty power that the Lord had unleashed against the Egyptians, they were filled with awe before him. They put their faith in the Lord and in his servant Moses.Exodus 34:6The Lord passed in front of Moses, calling out, “Yahweh! The Lord! The God of compassion and mercy! I am slow to anger and filled with unfailing love and faithfulness.Numbers 14:18The Lord is slow to anger and filled with unfailing love, forgiving every kind of sin and rebellion.Psalm 9:10Those who know your name trust in you, for you, O Lord, do not abandon those who search for you.Psalm 89:2Your unfailing love will last forever. Your faithfulness is as enduring as the heavens.Nahum 1:7The Lord is good, a strong refuge when trouble comes. He is close to those who trust in him.Hebrews 4:16So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.1 John 4:16We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them.We should depend on God because of his character—who else is all-powerful and all-knowing, yet pursues each of us with unfailing love and mercy?Joshua 21:44-45Not a single one of all the good promises the Lord had given to the family of Israel was left unfulfilled; everything he had spoken came true.Joshua 23:14“Deep in your hearts you know that every promise of the Lord your God has come true. Not a single one has failed!”1 Kings 8:56“Praise the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, just as he promised. Not one word has failed of all the wonderful promises he gave through his servant Moses.”2 Chronicles 6:14-15“O Lord, God of Israel, there is no God like you in all of heaven and earth. You keep your covenant and show unfailing love to all who walk before you in wholehearted devotion.”Hebrews 6:13-18Abraham waited patiently, and he received what God had promised. Now when people take an oath, they call on someone greater than themselves to hold them to it. And without any question that oath is binding. God also bound himself with an oath, so that those who received the promise could be perfectly sure that he would never change his mind. So God has given both his promise and his oath. These two things are unchangeable because it is impossible for God to lie. Therefore, we who have fled to him for refuge can have great confidence as we hold to the hope that lies before us.We should depend on God because he always fulfills his promises. Since it is impossible for God to lie, who better for us to depend on to keep his word?Psalm 22:4-5Our ancestors trusted in you, and you rescued them. They cried out to you and were saved. They trusted in you and were never disgraced.Psalm 33:18-20The Lord watches over those who fear him, those who rely on his unfailing love.Psalm 118:6The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?Hebrews 13:6So we can say with confidence, “The Lord is my helper, so I will have no fear. What can mere people do to me?”We depend on the Lord alone to save us from sin and from physical threats. Only he can help us, protecting us like a shield.Psalm 94:17-18Unless the Lord had helped me, I would soon have settled in the silence of the grave. I cried out, “I am slipping!” but your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.Psalm 121:2-4My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth! He will not let you stumble; the one who watches over you will not slumber.Psalm 145:18-19The Lord is close to all who call on him, yes, to all who call on him in truth. He grants the desires of those who fear him; he hears their cries for help and rescues them.Matthew 7:11“So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him.”James 1:5If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.We should depend on God because he promises to help those who ask him.

Question 3

What things should we depend only on God for?

Accepted Answer

John 3:36“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”John 14:1-6“Don’t let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. There is more than enough room in my Father’s home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.”Romans 5:6When we were utterly helpless, Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners.Galatians 3:18If the inheritance could be received by keeping the law, then it would not be the result of accepting God’s promise. But God graciously gave it to Abraham as a promise.Colossians 2:8Don’t let anyone capture you with empty philosophies and high-sounding nonsense that come from human thinking and from the spiritual powers of this world, rather than from Christ.We depend on God alone for his promise to give us eternal life if we believe in him.Ephesians 6:10-13A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.2 Thessalonians 3:3The Lord is faithful; he will strengthen you and guard you from the evil one.We depend on God alone for the strength to resist and fight against evil.Deuteronomy 31:6“So be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid and do not panic before them. For the Lord your God will personally go ahead of you. He will neither fail you nor abandon you.”Psalm 27:10Even if my father and mother abandon me, the Lord will hold me close.Isaiah 41:10“Don’t be afraid, for I am with you. Don’t be discouraged, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will hold you up with my victorious right hand.”Matthew 28:20“Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”John 14:15-16“If you love me, obey my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you.”Hebrews 13:5God has said, “I will never fail you. I will never abandon you.”We depend on God alone for his continual presence. We can always count on him to be right beside us, even when everything else around us seems to be falling apart.Matthew 6:33“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”2 Corinthians 9:8God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others.2 Peter 1:3By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence.We depend on God alone to provide for our physical and spiritual needs.Psalm 46:1God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble.Isaiah 40:29-31He [the Lord] gives power to the weak and strength to the powerless. Even youths will become weak and tired, and young men will fall in exhaustion. But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.1 Corinthians 1:8-9He will keep you strong to the end so that you will be free from all blame on the day when our Lord Jesus Christ returns. God will do this, for he is faithful to do what he says, and he has invited you into partnership with his Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.Philippians 4:13I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength.We should depend on God alone for the strength to persevere to the end of this life.

Question 4

How do we depend on God?

Accepted Answer

John 6:29Jesus told them, “This is the only work God wants from you: Believe in the one he has sent.”John 10:24-30The people surrounded him and asked, “How long are you going to keep us in suspense? If you are the Messiah, tell us plainly.” Jesus replied, “I have already told you, and you don’t believe me. The proof is the work I do in my Father’s name. But you don’t believe me because you are not my sheep. My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else. No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. The Father and I are one.”We depend on God by believing in his Son.Psalm 5:2Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for I pray to no one but you.Psalm 88:13O Lord, I cry out to you. I will keep on pleading day by day.Psalm 119:147I rise early, before the sun is up; I cry out for help and put my hope in your words.Psalm 130:1-2From the depths of despair, O Lord, I call for your help. Hear my cry, O Lord. Pay attention to my prayer.Mark 9:29Jesus replied, “This kind can be cast out only by prayer.”We depend on God by praying to him. We must train ourselves to take all our needs to God in prayer.Mark 10:14-15When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children. I tell you the truth, anyone who doesn’t receive the Kingdom of God like a child will never enter it.”Luke 23:40-42The other criminal protested, “Don’t you fear God even when you have been sentenced to die? We deserve to die for our crimes, but this man hasn’t done anything wrong.” Then he said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.”We depend on God by living with childlike faith in him. We often make the Christian life too complicated. The more we learn to trust him, the more we let him guide our lives. And who better to depend on than God to guide our lives?

Question 5

What happens when we fail to depend on God?

Accepted Answer

Numbers 20:12The Lord said to Moses and Aaron, “Because you did not trust me enough to demonstrate my holiness to the people of Israel, you will not lead them into the land I am giving them!”Deuteronomy 9:23At Kadesh-barnea the Lord sent you out with this command: “Go up and take over the land I have given you.” But you rebelled against the command of the Lord your God and refused to put your trust in him or obey him.Isaiah 42:17“But those who trust in idols, who say, ‘You are our gods,’ will be turned away in shame.”Jeremiah 17:5-6This is what the Lord says: “Cursed are those who put their trust in mere humans, who rely on human strength and turn their hearts away from the Lord. They are like stunted shrubs in the desert, with no hope for the future. They will live in the barren wilderness, in an uninhabited salty land.”Hosea 10:13-14“But you have cultivated wickedness and harvested a thriving crop of sins. You have eaten the fruit of lies—trusting in your military might, believing that great armies could make your nation safe. Now the terrors of war will rise among your people. All your fortifications will fall.”When we fail to depend on God, we begin to separate ourselves from him. We start to go our own way, which leads to neglecting his Word and his ways. This neglect leads to disobedience and sin, which God may choose to discipline us for in order to lead us back to himself. No one can experience God’s best when they depend on anyone or anything more than God.

Question 6

Is there anyone we can depend on in addition to God?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 18:24There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.Luke 6:40“Students are not greater than their teacher. But the student who is fully trained will become like the teacher.”Acts 12:5While Peter was in prison, the church prayed very earnestly for him.1 Corinthians 12:28Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.2 Corinthians 1:11You are helping us by praying for us. Then many people will give thanks because God has graciously answered so many prayers for our safety.Galatians 6:2Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Ephesians 4:16He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.2 Timothy 2:2You have heard me teach things that have been confirmed by many reliable witnesses. Now teach these truths to other trustworthy people who will be able to pass them on to others.God made us to be connect and relate to other people. We are right to depend on others for friendship, learning, prayer, ministry, and assistance in personal growth. But we should never depend on people alone to satisfy our deepest needs and desires in the way that only God can.

Question 7

How can I become more dependable?

Accepted Answer

Proverbs 11:13A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.Proverbs 25:19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.You can become more dependable in your relationships by making sure that others can trust you. This means keeping your word and not spreading information a friend told you in confidence. Trust is essential to a strong relationship with anyone.Ephesians 5:15-16So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days.You can become more dependable by spending regular time in God’s Word and by using every possible opportunity to do good for others.Ephesians 6:5-8Do the will of God with all your heart. Work with enthusiasm, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will reward each one of us for the good we do, whether we are slaves or free.Colossians 3:23-24Work willingly at whatever you do, as though you were working for the Lord rather than for people. Remember that the Lord will give you an inheritance as your reward, and that the Master you are serving is Christ.You can become more dependable in your work by showing respect to those in authority over you, by working hard, by doing your work as if we were doing it for God himself, and by doing it with a positive attitude.

Dependence/Dependability