STUDY ONE: LEANING ON GOD

THEME: FIGHT A GOOD FIGHT OF FAITH

TEXT: Proverbs 3:5-6

DATE: 7TH JANUARY, 2024

AIMS:

1. To teach the church the significance ofalways relying on God for support.
2. To enlighten Christians not to depend on their ownwill/desires, rather subject themselves to God’s will.

INTRODUCTION: The word ‘LEAN’ can be multifaceted. In this context, we are looking at Lean as being to rest, rely, depend, inclineon something or someone for support. To lean on God means having absolute dependency for support, encouragement over every aspect of our lives. In this study, we are going understand the biblical‘practical’ ways on how we are to rely on God.

When we have an important decision to make, we sometimes feel that we can’t trust anyone—not even God. But God knows what is best for us. He is a better judge of what we want than we are! We must trust him completely in every choice we make. We should not omit careful thinking or belittle our God-given ability to reason; but we should not trust our own ideas to the exclusion of all others. We must not be wise in our own eyes but be willing to listen to and be corrected by God’s Word and wise counsellors. Bring your decisions to God in prayer; use the Bible as your guide; and then follow God’s leading. He will direct your paths by both guiding and guarding you.

STUDY QUESTIONS:

• In your own view, what does it mean to Lean on God? Psalm 37:5,39-40, Psalm 55:22, Isaiah41:13, Proverbs 3:5-6

• Highlight any six reasons Jesus gave for relying on God, rather than worrying from these bible verses. Read Matthew 6:25-34, Matthew 10:29-31.

• Discuss the practical ways we seek to lean on God as Christians. (Phil 4:6, John 15:4-7, Matthew 6:32-33, Hebrews 11:6, 2 Corinthians 5:7, Ephesians 5:18, Galatians 5:16, Jeremiah 29:11-12, John 14:15, Isaiah 1:19).

CONCLUSION: As Christians, we have been given the privilege and access to always look up to God our father to guide and lead us in all our ways; both in overwhelming times and in our plans and purpose. Let’s always have the heart to obey His instructions and not to lean on our own understanding.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT:Always trust in the Lord andlean on Him at all times.

MEMORY VERSE:Proverbs 3:5 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; And lean not unto thine own understanding”.