Review this week's message.

Key Thought:

To love again, you’ll need to open up again.

Key Quote

“Jesus didn’t ask us to trust people, He asked us to love people.” - Pastor Bil Cornelius

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

• Name some celebrities you trust, who have the ability to influence you
• If you could spend a day with anyone who would it be?
• Where is your dream vacation?
• What is a company you trust? Why?

Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.

• Why does trust take so long to build, yet can be broken so quickly?
• Why do we hold people to higher standards than what we hold for ourselves?
• What is the difference between love and trust?
• How does someone’s consistent words and behaviors give us insight into that person’s heart?

Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.

• Who is in your inner circle? How are they adding value to your life or taking it away?
• Have you disrespected somebody recently who has a different opinion than you? Do you believe you need to apologize to them?
• When was a time you betrayed someone’s trust? What did you do to rebuild that trust?
• Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-8. Are you demonstrating this kind of love? If not, what do you need to change?

Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.

Dear Jesus, thank you for the fact that we can always trust you. Even when we are having a hard time trusting others, we can trust you and rest in your promises. Help us to continue growing relationally and trust those you’ve placed in our path. In your name we pray, Amen.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

• One of the best ways that you can heal from a past hurt or losing of trust is to slowly but surely confide in people who build you up. That is why LifeGroups are so important. This next week think of someone you know who could use positive Christian community and invite them to your group.
• Our inner circle is one of the most important and influential things we can have in our lives. The closest five people in your life are the average of who you will become. Take time to list your five closest friends and write out the value they are adding to your life. If they are not adding any value, or even hurting you, create boundaries with them to guard your heart and mind – then consider how you can add value to them.
• If you have broken someone’s trust recently, humbly seek forgiveness and work to repair that trust on that person’s terms not your own. This may take a long time to repair, but it will be worth it in the end.

Scriptures

“O Sovereign LORD! You made the heavens and earth by your strong hand and powerful arm. Nothing is too hard for you! Jeremiah 32:17 NLT

“Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance.” 1 Corinthians 13:7 NLT

“Unless you are faithful in small matters, you won’t be faithful in large ones. If you cheat even a little, you won’t be honest with greater responsibilities.” Luke 16:10 NLT

“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” 1 Corinthians 4:2 NIV

“Doing right brings freedom to honest people, but those who are not trustworthy will be caught by their own desires.” Proverbs 11:6 NCV

“Show respect for all people.” 1 Peter 2:17 NCV

“…a wife must respect her husband.” Ephesians 5:33 NCV

“…you husbands must give honor to your wives…. If you don’t treat her as you should, your prayers will not be heard.” 1 Peter 3:7 NLT

Everyone has sinned and fallen short of God’s glorious standard, and all need to be made right with God by his grace, which is a free gift. Romans 3:23-24 NCV

For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are
plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. Jeremiah
29:11 NLT