Life Skills Bible Study
Facing Freedom Lesson 5
Facing Freedom – It’s A Matter of Trust
Trust - it’s not the same as faith. Trust is something that is earned and it’s rarely freely
given. A lot of people have been hurt in many different ways and those people find it
difficult to trust other people. Having been hurt once, anyone will take steps to prevent
that hurt from happening again.
Let’s define trust.
Trust is a reliance on good qualities
found in a person or product. Trust is
the position of obligation. It is a hope for
good things in the future resulting in the
actions of an individual, a process or a
thing. Trust is something that is positive
(in most cases) defining a confidence in
actions that will be taken and results that
will be produced.
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Can you name someone you trust
in your life?
If you don’t have anyone you
name, what has made trust so difficult
If you can name someone, what characteristics stand out that are trustworthy?
Most of today’s risk takers place their trust in someone or something that has proven to
be consistent in results. While this may seem obvious, many people place their money
and their hopes on people, places or things that have not been proven, not been
consistent in good results or even proven to be deadly.
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How many alcoholics or addicts trust their ability to be sober after their third DUI
offense?
How many students put their confidence in their ability to buckle down and study
after their third failed test in the same class?
Do you know people like this?
What makes them think that the fourth time around will be better?
Job 8:14-18 What they trust in is fragile; what they rely on is a spider's web. They lean
on the web, but it gives way; they cling to it, but it does not hold. They are like a wellwatered plant in the sunshine, spreading its shoots over the garden; it entwines its roots
around a pile of rocks and looks for a place among the stones. But when it is torn from
its spot, that place disowns it and says, ‘I never saw you.”
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Life Skills Bible Study
Facing Freedom Lesson 5
What are the key elements of trusting someone?
 Consistency
 Promises made – promises kept
 Clear directions given
 Coaching which tests a person’s limits and which is a path to success
 Faithfulness
 Evidence of a person’s trustworthiness
People find it difficult to trust other people. This distrust stems from behaviors that
injure, speech which hurts, and attitudes which repeal indifference or lack of care and
love. It’s not so easy to establish trust and maintain that level of trust with other people,
is it? Let’s look at some of the key characteristics of the process of building trust.
Psalm 20 6Now this I know: The LORD gives victory to his anointed. He answers him
from his heavenly sanctuary with the victorious power of his right hand. 7Some trust in
chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God. 8They are
brought to their knees and fall, but we rise up and stand firm. 9LORD, give victory to the
king! Answer us when we call!
Psalm 4 4Tremble and*[Or In your anger (see Septuagint)] [Or In your anger (see
Septuagint)] do not sin; when you are on your beds, search your hearts and be silent.
5Offer the sacrifices of the righteous and trust in the LORD.
Now, if you have identified someone you have 100% confidence in, take the next step
and identify those who you want to trust who you want to trust you.
Is trust a mutual relationship – in other words, is there equal give and take in a couple of
people trusting each other?
Did God trust you more than you trusted Him? Explain.
“I will praise you, LORD. Although you were angry with me, your anger has turned away
and you have comforted me. 2Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.
The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense*; he has become my
salvation.” 3With joy you will draw water from the wells of salvation. 4In that day you will
say: “Give praise to the LORD, proclaim his name; make known among the nations
what he has done, and proclaim that his name is exalted. 5Sing to the LORD, for he has
done glorious things; let this be known to all the world. 6Shout aloud and sing for joy,
people of Zion, for great is the Holy One of Israel among you.”
Which do you think is better (and smarter) – to trust someone before they trust you or to
have someone trust you before you trust them? How did God approach you in your
relationship with Him? Did you trust Him before you knew Him, or did He make you
aware of how much He loved you before?
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Life Skills Bible Study
Facing Freedom Lesson 5
Psalm 13 5But I trust in your unfailing love; my heart rejoices in your salvation. 6I will
sing the LORD's praise, for he has been good to me.
What’s the best step to take in getting people to trust you? Do you try to do the right
things all the time? If you can’t, are you scared to acknowledge that you failed?
If you get someone to trust you, do you think you are able to keep that trust as long as
you live?
Psalm 25 1In you, LORD my God, I put my trust. 2I trust in you; do not let me be put to
shame, nor let my enemies triumph over me. 3No one who hopes in you will ever be put
to shame, but shame will come on those who are treacherous without cause.
What happens if people believe you violated their trust, when in fact, what you did
protected them from more serious harm? As an example, your son or daughter is
hanging with a drug user/drug dealer and is becoming involved in serious issues, which
you have confirmed through a number of sources. Would you have the police intervene
to stop the dealer/user, or would you report your child to the police? If you were put in
that position, which decision would you make?
Where does trust begin? With someone you know you can trust or in getting someone
to trust in you? Explain…
John 14 1“Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me.”
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