Truly Trusting in the Lord

Main Point: Our security as believers doesn’t rest in man-made things, but in God alone. He is the only One who can be totally trusted with taking great care of us.

Discussion Starter: Which is More Secure?
This discussion starter requires some way of “showing” students contrasting images of similar items. It’s best to have a video projector, but if you have a smaller group and do not own a projector, a laptop will work, too; just have students crowd around it so they can see the screen.

It’s also best to import pictures into a PowerPoint format. You can build your own, or just use this one that’s embedded in this link for free. If you use this PPT, here are the items, in order:

1. Jet Aircraft or World War I Biplane


2. Bank Vault or Underwear Drawer – “You don’t want to keep your money there for lots of reasons…especially if you eat a lot of beans.”


3. Multi-million Dollar Yacht or Wooden Canoe – “Always go with the yacht…unless it says Titanic on the side.”


4. Barn or Taj Mahal


5. Golden Gate Bridge or Rope Bridge – “That thing looks like termites holding hands!”

Just show the slides one at a time, and ask students the simple question: Which one seems more secure?” Allow them to answer based on what they see.

Transitional Statement:
It was pretty easy to determine which of these was the most secure, right? I mean, who would get on that old crop duster of an airplane when the latest aeronautical technology can be chosen?? But it’s not always so easy to pick the most secure or trustworthy option in life. Sometimes, the choices are confusing…and there’s often a lot at risk. So, let’s spend the next few minutes talking about the only Person worthy of our full trust.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Small Group Discussion:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we all get started, let’s take a second to share our names and whether we would cross that rope bridge in the last picture.


2. ASK A FEW: Can someone give me a definition of security. (Leaders – After they get their chance, share this dictionary definition with them: freedom from fear and doubt, protection; safeguard.)


3. ASK A FEW: What are some of the things people put their trust and security in these days?


4. ASK A FEW: What is the best way to make the following secure:
   a. Our health
   b. Our relationships
   c. Our money
   d. Our jobs
   
   
5. ASK A FEW: Do you think that God offers us security? Why or why not?

Read the following passage:

Psalm 20:1-9 (NIV)
May the LORD answer you when you are in distress;
may the name of the God of Jacob protect you.

May he send you help from the sanctuary
and grant you support from Zion.

May he remember all your sacrifices
and accept your burnt offerings.
Selah

May he give you the desire of your heart
and make all your plans succeed.

We will shout for joy when you are victorious
and will lift up our banners in the name of our God.

May the LORD grant all your requests.

Now I know that the LORD saves his anointed;
he answers him from his holy heaven
with the saving power of his right hand.

Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.

They are brought to their knees and fall,
but we rise up and stand firm.

O LORD, save the king!
Answer us when we call!



6. ASK A FEW: What were some of the things David prayed for in this Psalm?


7. ASK A FEW: If you had to guess, what occasion do you think prompted David to write this Psalm? In other words, what situation would make David pray this to God? (Leaders – After letting them guess, tell them that scholars think this was a prayer for two possible situations: First, that David was praying on behalf of his sons and grandsons who would one day be king. Second, that David was standing with his troops about to go into battle. Perhaps the latter one is the best, because David was a fighting king, with much of his reign being filled with war against his neighbors.)


8. ASK A FEW: Do you get the impression that David is serious with this prayer request, or just giving lip service to people in real danger? Why?


9. ASK A FEW: Why would David say that some people put their trust in horses and chariots? (Leaders – This is pretty cool! Back in this day, the chariot was the equivalent of our stealth bomber; it was THE latest technology. They could transport troops and supplies unlike anything else in that era. They allowed swift attacks…and retreats. The wheels were equipped with blades that cut down warriors that were just standing beside the chariot! In short, the chariot was THE weapon of armies back then!)


10. ASK SOMEONE: What does verse 8 say will happen to those people who put their trust in their military might?


11. ASK SOMEONE: According to verse 7, where does David place his trust for security?


12. ASK A FEW: Is trusting God easy or hard for you to do? Why?


13. ASK A FEW: Do you think this passage means we can do whatever we want to do and God will automatically have to take care of us? (Leaders – Of course not. Even Jesus taught this truth to the Devil in Matthew 4 during His temptation.)


14. ASK A FEW: In light of this passage, how are we to interpret difficult times and moments of loss?


15. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What is one area of your life that you’re holding back from trusting God with?


16. AROUND THE CIRCLE: How will you begin putting your trust in God in that area of your life this week?

Wrap Up:
We started off pretty light tonight, but then got deeper. I mean, it’s easy to choose between a yacht and a lifeboat, right? But it’s not always easy trying to determine whether or not we can trust God with our lives. Some of us have been confused by things that have happened in the past. Some of us have been hurt while trying to follow Jesus. Sometimes, our stories don’t end they way we want them to.

But are those reasons good enough for not trusting God?

Nope. The bottom line comes down to this: Who can be better trusted to take care of us than God? He made us! He saved us! He called us to join Him in His work! He knows us better than anyone else does and He knows the future!

I hope that you’ve learned one thing during our time together. God alone is to be trusted by us. He loves us so much He gave the life of His Son to save us!

So, as we close up tonight, I want us to spend some time praying for each other. Let’s huddle up in groups of three or four and spend a few moments praying for one another that we’d all trust God more. Let’s keep it simple: just pray for the person on your right, cool?

(Give students about 4-6 minutes to do this.)

If you want to talk more about trusting God, hang around after we all close in prayer one last time. Just approach one of our adult leaders and ask to speak with them. They’d love nothing more than to help you trust the One who loves them!

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith