Discussion Guide: Trust & Loyalty in Relationships
Desired Takeaway
To inspire participants to cultivate trust and loyalty as foundational virtues in their relationships by rooting their lives in God’s wisdom and walking in covenantal love.
Icebreaker Options
Who is one of the most loyal people you’ve ever known? What stood out about them?
1. Lean In (personal connection question)
Relationships can be complicated. When you hear the words “trust” and “loyalty,” what feelings or stories come to mind? How have those words played out in your own relationships?
2. Look Down (Scripture exploration)
Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” What has God entrusted to you—whether in relationships, leadership, or influence? What does it look like to “prove faithful” in those areas?
3. Look Out (broader life and culture)
The sermon mentioned that only 1 in 4 Americans believe people can be trusted. What cultural factors do you think have contributed to this decline in trust? What kind of impact does this have on our communities and churches?
4. Look In (personal reflection)
Are there any areas of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? What might it look like to take a step of faith in that area?
What does it mean for trust and loyalty to become your “reputation” (your necklace and your heart-tablet)? How might that change the way you live?
5. Live it Out (vision and action)
Imagine a community or a church where every person lived with visible trust in God and unshakable loyalty toward one another. What would that look like? How might that influence outsiders’ perceptions of the Church and of Jesus?
Optional Exercises for the Week
Prayer Prompt
Invite group members to reflect on these themes and close in prayer:
“God, you are the definition of faithfulness. Teach us to trust you with all our hearts and to walk in your ways. Shape our relationships to reflect your covenant love—steadfast, loyal, and full of grace. Where we’ve been hurt, bring healing. Where we’ve been unreliable, give us the courage to change. Make us a community marked by trust and loyalty, for your glory and our joy. Amen.”
To inspire participants to cultivate trust and loyalty as foundational virtues in their relationships by rooting their lives in God’s wisdom and walking in covenantal love.
Icebreaker Options
Who is one of the most loyal people you’ve ever known? What stood out about them?
1. Lean In (personal connection question)
Relationships can be complicated. When you hear the words “trust” and “loyalty,” what feelings or stories come to mind? How have those words played out in your own relationships?
2. Look Down (Scripture exploration)
Read: 1 Corinthians 4:1–2
“Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful.” What has God entrusted to you—whether in relationships, leadership, or influence? What does it look like to “prove faithful” in those areas?
3. Look Out (broader life and culture)
The sermon mentioned that only 1 in 4 Americans believe people can be trusted. What cultural factors do you think have contributed to this decline in trust? What kind of impact does this have on our communities and churches?
4. Look In (personal reflection)
Are there any areas of your life where you struggle to trust God fully? What might it look like to take a step of faith in that area?
What does it mean for trust and loyalty to become your “reputation” (your necklace and your heart-tablet)? How might that change the way you live?
5. Live it Out (vision and action)
Imagine a community or a church where every person lived with visible trust in God and unshakable loyalty toward one another. What would that look like? How might that influence outsiders’ perceptions of the Church and of Jesus?
Optional Exercises for the Week
- The Necklace Exercise: Write out Proverbs 3:3-4 and carry it in your pocket or hang it somewhere you’ll see it daily. Let it be your “necklace” for the week. Reflect daily: “Did I live with trust and loyalty today?”
- A Step Toward Trust: Identify one area where you find it hard to trust someone (or God). Pray specifically about that area and take one small step toward rebuilding or strengthening trust.
- Gratitude Letter: Write a note to someone who has been trustworthy and loyal in your life. Let them know the impact they’ve had on you.
Prayer Prompt
Invite group members to reflect on these themes and close in prayer:
“God, you are the definition of faithfulness. Teach us to trust you with all our hearts and to walk in your ways. Shape our relationships to reflect your covenant love—steadfast, loyal, and full of grace. Where we’ve been hurt, bring healing. Where we’ve been unreliable, give us the courage to change. Make us a community marked by trust and loyalty, for your glory and our joy. Amen.”