Modeling Trust and Dependence on God in Teaching and Discipleship
Modeling Trust and Dependence on God in Teaching and Discipleship
The concept of trust and dependence on God is deeply rooted in Christian teaching and discipleship. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, trust in God is produced by faith in Christ and is a characteristic of saints [1]. This trust is exemplified in Christ's own example, as seen in His submission to the will of God, even in the face of adversity [2].
In the context of teaching and discipleship, modeling trust and dependence on God is crucial. Jesus' instructions to His disciples, as recorded in Matthew 10:9-10, emphasize the importance of trusting in God's provision [6]. This trust is not limited to material needs but encompasses a deeper reliance on God's sovereignty and goodness.
The biblical concept of devotedness to God is closely tied to trust and dependence. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, devotedness to God is grounded in the mercies of God, the goodness of God, and the call of God [3]. This devotedness is characterized by unreserved commitment, as seen in the example of Christ, who was devoted to doing the will of God (John 4:34; 17:4).
In the New Testament, the apostle Paul exemplifies this trust and dependence in his own life and ministry. In 2 Timothy 3:10, Paul's disciple Timothy is encouraged to follow his example, including his "faith, and patience" [4]. Similarly, in Colossians 2:7, believers are exhorted to be "rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith" [5].
The importance of trust and dependence on God is also emphasized in the context of Christian discipleship. According to Jamieson, Fausset & Brown, the grace of God "disciplines us" to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly [9]. This discipline is necessary for believers to grow in their faith and to become more like Christ.
In the Puritan tradition, Matthew Henry emphasizes the importance of waiting on God and trusting in His goodness. In his commentary on Psalms 130:5, Henry notes that the psalmist's dependence on God is expressed in a "climax, it being a song of degrees, or ascents" [7]. This emphasis on trust and dependence is characteristic of the Nonconformist/Puritan tradition.
The Baptist/Reformed tradition also emphasizes the importance of trust and dependence on God. According to John Gill, faith in Christ is a fundamental aspect of Christian discipleship, and is closely tied to love for one another [8]. In his commentary on Colossians 2:7, Gill notes that believers are "rooted and built up in Him" and are to "abide" in Christ, deriving all their life and nourishment from Him [10].
Sources
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Boldness, Holy — Christ set an example of -- Joh 7:26. Is through faith in Christ -- Eph 3:12; Heb 10:19. A characteristic of saints -- Pr 28:1. Produced by Trust in God. -- Isa 50:7. The fear of God. -- Ac 4:19; 5:29. Faithfulness to God. -- 1Ti 3:13. Express your trust in God with -- Heb 13:6. Have, in prayer -- Eph 3:12; Heb 4:16. Saints shall have, in judgment -- 1Jo 4:17. Exhortations to -- Jos 1:7; 2Ch 19:11; Jer 1:8; Eze 3:9. Pray for -- Ac 4:29; Eph 6:19,20. Ministers should exhibit, in Faithfulness to their people. -- 2Co 7:4; 10:1. Preaching. -- Ac 4:31; Ph”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Resignation — Christ set and example of -- Mt 26:39-44; Joh 12:27; 18:11. Commanded -- Ps 37:7; 46:10. Should be exhibited in Submission to the will of God. -- 2Sa 15:26; Ps 42:5,11; Mt 6:10. Submission to the sovereignty of God in his purposes. -- Ro 9:20,21. The prospect of death. -- Ac 21:13; 2Co 4:16-5:1. Loss of goods. -- Job 1:15,16,21. Loss of children. -- Job 1:18,19,21. Chastisements. -- Heb 12:9. Bodily suffering. -- Job 2:8-10. The wicked are devoid of -- Pr 19:3. Exhortation to -- Ps 37:1-11. Motives to God's greatness. -- Ps 46:10. God's love. -- Heb 12:”
- Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Devotedness to God — A characteristic of saints -- Job 23:12. Christ, an example of -- Joh 4:34; 17:4. Grounded upon The mercies of God. -- Ro 12:1. The goodness of God. -- 1Sa 12:24. The call of God. -- 1Th 2:12. The death of Christ. -- 2Co 5:15. Our creation. -- Ps 86:9. Our preservation. -- Isa 46:4. Our redemption. -- 1Co 6:19,20. Should be With our spirit. -- 1Co 6:20; 1Pe 4:6. With our bodies. -- Ro 12:1; 1Co 6:20. With our members. -- Ro 6:12,13; 1Pe 4:2. With our substance. -- Ex 22:29; Pr 3:9. Unreserved. -- Mt 6:24; Lu 14:33. Abounding. -- 1Th 4:1. Persever”
- II Timothy “II Timothy 3:10 (BBE) — But you took as your example my teaching, behaviour, purpose, and faith; my long waiting, my love, my quiet undergoing of trouble;”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:7 (BSB) — rooted and built up in Him, established in the faith as you were taught, and overflowing with thankfulness.”
- Matthew (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Matthew 10:9: 10:9-10 Jesus’ disciples were to trust in God’s provision (6:11, 25-34; 7:7-11), to avoid greed that would give others the opportunity to defame the Lord’s name, and to encourage the newly formed communities to provide for their leaders’ needs (see 1 Cor 9:3-19).”
- Psalms (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Psalms 130:5: Here, I. The psalmist engages himself to trust in God and to wait for him, Psa 130:5, Psa 130:6. Observe, 1. His dependence upon God, expressed in a climax, it being a a song of degrees, or ascents: "I wait for the Lord; from him I expect relief and comfort, believing it will come, longing till it does come, but patiently bearing the delay of it, and resolving to look for it from no other hand. My soul doth wait; I wait for him in sincerity, and not in profession only. I am an expectant, and it is for the Lord that my soul waits, for the gifts of his grace and th”
- 1 John (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on 1 John 3:22: And this is his commandment,.... Having mentioned the keeping of the commandments of God, the apostle proceeds to show what they are; that they are faith in Christ, and love to one another; which two are reduced to one, because they are inseparable; where the one is, the other is; faith works by love. That we should believe on the name of his Son Jesus Christ; Christ is the object of faith, and he is no, as he is Jesus, a Saviour; faith deals with him as such, and will have no other Saviour but he: and now to believe in him, is not merely to believe that he is the S”
- Titus (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Titus 2:12: Teaching--Greek, "disciplining us." Grace exercises discipline, and is imparted in connection with disciplining chastisements (Co1 11:32; Heb 12:6-7). The education which the Christian receives from "the grace" of God is a discipline often trying to flesh and blood: just as children need disciplining. The discipline which it exercises teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, and to live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world (Greek, "age," or course of things) where such self-discipline is needed, seeing that its spirit is oppos”
- Colossians (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Colossians 2:7: Rooted and built up in him,.... By these metaphors, the apostle expresses the safe and happy state of these believers; and which he makes use of as arguments, to engage them to walk on in Christ, and as pointing out the manner in which they should. Believers are sometimes compared to trees, and are trees of righteousness, the planting of the Lord; and their root is Christ, from whence as such they spring, and by whom they are filled with the fruits of righteousness; in him they are to abide, keep close unto him, and walk in him; deriving all their life, nourishment”