Discussion Guide 5

Developing Relationships

By Pastor Bong Baylon Discussion Guide No. 5

Trusting each other Introduction

W

elcome to the fifth session of DEVELOPING RELATIONSHIPS. In our previous discussion, we talked about caring for one another. This is so essential to what it means to be the body of Christ. Without this, your group will only be a mere collection of individuals who happen to be in the same place at the same time. Love for one another is the proof that God has indeed changed your hearts. This brings us to the next important topic: trusting one another. When you show sincere love for each other, your trust for each other will increase. But when you trust each other unconditionally, you also increase your love for each other. So this is a chicken-and-egg situation. Which comes first, love or trust? Instead of debating which one comes first, let’s just say that both are important. We must love one another in order to increase trust, but we must also trust in order to really love each other.

Icebreaker Question: When was the last time your trust was broken?

Scripture reading: Matthew 26:14-30 Discussion Questions: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

What do you think motivated Judas to betray Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? How would you describe the relationship of Judas with Jesus prior to this point? If you were Jesus, and you knew that you will be betrayed by a friend like Judas, how would you feel? What are the usual ways that people betray one another in the body of Christ? What was the response of Jesus to this betrayal? What can we learn from Jesus as we look at his response? How can we cultivate trust in our CARE Group or in any group for that matter? How are we going to know that trust exists in any group?

Application: 1. 2. 3.

Discuss your fears or anxieties in completely trusting one another in your group. Brainstorm on how you can overcome such fears. Make a verbal promise to one another that you will strive to trust each other. At the same time, make a promise not to break each other’s trust. Sometimes trust is threatened or tested in a group. Agree on what you will do as a group when such a thing happens.

Assignment: Choose the next person who will share his or her life testimony in your next meeting. Pray for that person. Look for opportunities to trust each other during the week.