Building Authentic Relationships in the Church

Build Trust

February 02, 2026

Summary

This sermon focuses on building authentic relationships within the church family, emphasizing that God has chosen us as His family and we should choose each other as well. The challenge is to move beyond surface-level relationships by lowering walls of self-preservation and allowing fellow believers to know them authentically. Using Ephesians 4:25 as the foundation, the message explores how trust-based relationships are essential for experiencing the fullness of Christ together as His body.

Intro Prayer

Heavenly Father, we come before You grateful for the gift of community and family that You have given us through Your Son Jesus Christ. As we gather today to discuss Your Word and what it means to live in authentic relationship with one another, we ask that You would open our hearts and minds to what You want to teach us. Help us to be vulnerable and honest, and give us the courage to lower our walls of self-preservation. Holy Spirit, guide our conversation and help us to see each other as You see us. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Ice Breaker

What's one skill or area of knowledge you never thought you'd need to learn but ended up becoming somewhat of an expert in due to life circumstances?

Key Verses

  1. Ephesians 4:25
  2. Ephesians 1:22-23
  3. Ephesians 4:15-16
  4. Ephesians 5:18-19

Questions

  1. What does it mean to you that we are 'members of one body' as Paul describes in Ephesians 4:25? How should this truth impact our relationships with fellow believers?
  2. Three questions for lowering our walls: 'What am I afraid of losing?', 'What am I trying to hide?', and 'What am I trying to prove?' Which of these resonates most with you and why?
  3. Why do you think authenticity is so difficult in church relationships? What are some barriers that prevent us from being real with one another?
  4. How can we create an environment where 'gentleness isn't negotiable' while still being a place where real challenges can be shared?
  5. ‘You cannot experience the fullness of life in Christ while remaining relationally disconnected from people.' Do you agree with this? Why or why not?
  6. What's the difference between being a 'safe place' that hides problems versus being a 'hospital' that addresses them? How can our church be more like the latter?
  7. How might your life change if you had someone you could talk to about the real challenges you're facing? What would that look like practically?
  8. Paul emphasizes speaking truthfully to our neighbors because we are members of one body. How can we practice this kind of honesty while still being gentle and kind?

Life Application

This week, identify one person in your church community (life group, ministry team, etc.) and take a small step toward building deeper trust with them. This could be sharing something real you're going through, asking how you can pray for them specifically, or simply spending intentional time together. Practice lowering your wall of self-preservation in a small but meaningful way.

Key Takeaways

  1. God has chosen His church as His family, and we should choose each other as well rather than trying to opt out of authentic relationships
  2. Authenticity with Christ's body comes first - we must put off falsehood and speak truthfully because we are members of one body
  3. Building trust-based relationships requires lowering our walls of self-preservation and being willing to go first in vulnerability
  4. We experience the fullness of Christ through authentic relationships with fellow believers, not in isolation
  5. Gentleness and the fruit of the Spirit are essential for creating safe spaces where real challenges can be shared and addressed

Ending Prayer

Lord Jesus, thank You for the reminder that You have called us to be family, not just individuals who happen to attend the same church. Help us to have the courage to be known and to truly know others in our church community. Give us wisdom to know when and how to share authentically, and grant us gentle hearts to receive what others share with us. Holy Spirit, work in us to tear down the walls we've built to protect ourselves, and help us find our safety in Your love and in the character of Christ that You're developing in each of us. May we truly become the body of Christ that experiences and displays Your fullness together. In Jesus' name, Amen.