Talking Points:
- Trust is relying on the integrity or ability of another person. Your ability to truly trust someone is based on their character, not yours. Deuteronomy 7:9
- Trust is earned, not freely given. That’s why every spouse needs to work hard to earn trust from their spouse everyday.
- Trust is reactive and measurable. Building trust happens slowly over time, like building up a savings account.
- Trust is reactive, but forgiveness is proactive. Extending forgiveness opens the door to restoring broken trust. Colossians 3:12-13
Discussion:
- Review the definition of trust. What is the basis of trust? Describe a time you’ve given trust to someone who hadn’t proven their integrity to you? What was the result?
- Identify one area where you’ve had a hard time trusting your spouse. Why has it been hard to trust them? Identify an area where your spouse has a hard time trusting you? Why?
- Review the 3 components to trust (reactive, measurable, takes time). Think about that area where your spouse has a hard time trusting you. How will you incorporate these components to start building that trust?
- Read Deuteronomy 7:9. What does it say about God that He is willing to earn our trust? Share ways God has shown his faithfulness to you.
- Read Colossians 3:12-13. What role does forgiveness play in earning trust? Is there an area where you need to extend forgiveness to your spouse, even if he/she still has trust to earn?
- Write a personal action step based on this conversation.
See Also: