Therefore, since we are justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…

And not only that, but we also boast in our afflictions, knowing that affliction produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit that has been given to us. —Romans 5:1, 3-5

Introduction:

No family works without trust.

In your family, everything rises and falls on trust.

Trust is the fuel that drives every relationship.

We have our family of origin, our nuclear family, our extended family, and our family of faith.

Week 1:

Trust is more than a feeling and more than knowing if someone will lie to you.

Trust begins with being understood and the ability to understand other’s

.

Trust is the assured reliance on the character and

of someone or something.

Sometimes the trust we have in our families leaves us

. (Genesis 37:2a, 3-4)

This Week: Character Matters

You can really like someone, yet not be able to trust them in

ways that are important and it’s ok to say

Reveal Answer

.

You can trust someone

they have the ability to care for what you have entrusted to them. (Matthew 25:14-19)

A talent was worth more than

wages of a laborer. (Matthew 25:21-23)

“Marriage takes more than love, honesty, and fun. There are some very important ‘abilities’ required to make it work. Does this person have the ability to communicate, to resolve conflict, to be resilient under stress… and to be financially responsible?” —Dr. Henry Cloud

Even when it feels uncomfortable, it is wise to

whether or not someone can deliver what you need. (Mt 25:24-26a)

What is Godly character?

Honesty must be addressed

. (Proverbs 25:19 NIV)

“I have seen more marriages ruined not by mistakes or betrayals, but by continuous lying about something they were not revealing.” —Dr. Henry Cloud

Without character traits of honesty,

, being the same person in public and private, and responsibility, we can’t have trust.

We need to be able to trust that someone’s character can

on what we have entrusted to them. (2 Peter 1:5-7)

Self-Control: If someone cannot control themselves, we cannot trust them to act well or

.

Endurance: When a task, project, obstacle, conflict, or life gets

, can we trust them to deliver?

Godliness: Not empty religiosity, but true inner depth and

for God and others.

Mutual affection and Love: Without

, trust never follows. Love and affection are to will the good for others.

We don’t need someone to be

.

The important question is can they do what we need them to do in our

context?

Trust Breakers: Traits that get in the way of getting things

and good relationships.

Anger: Do you want to be in a close relationship with someone who is prone to angry outbursts or rage? (Prov. 22:24 NIV)

Drama: Trusting someone is difficult when you don’t know what kind of

you will get on any given day.

Irresponsibility: To depend on an irresponsible person is a nightmare. (Proverbs 10:26)

Gossip and Divisive Behavior: They can destroy relationships, teams, families, and company cultures. (Proverbs 11:13)

“We have unreasonable expectations that we should be a never-ending fountain of love, goodwill, and service at all times and in all places.” —Ruth Haley Barton

Action Step:

Because we are limited humans, what

person or task will you show up for this week?

“My additional notes:

”.