Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 6
In “invest in your team,” he warns that teams aren’t built by “pitting the members against each other,” and he connects criticism to self-protection (“we don’t want to think we’re the problem”); how does this expose sinful motives that can hide inside “discernment” or “being truthful,” and what specific practices would rebuild trust in a marriage/family/ministry team?
Another way to ask: How can “discernment” or “just being honest” hide selfish or sinful motives, like protecting ourselves from blame? What practical steps could rebuild trust on a team in a marriage, family, or ministry?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Based on the speaker’s teaching, “truth” and “discernment” can mask self-protection when criticism is used to shift blame so we don’t have to face our own fault. Trust is rebuilt by intentional encouragement, giving others space, careful restraint with criticism, and a posture of support rather than suspicion.
- He says we need help: without support “we’re kind of sunk,” so teams matter.
- Practices: “give them space…give them encouragement…help them know that they’re doing well at their job.”
- He warns: “being careful with criticism because it’s very easy to criticize.”
- Motive exposed: “We don’t want to think that we’re the problem, so it’s very easy to make the other person feel that they’re the problem.”
- Humility in interpretation: “we might not actually know why the team member did that…maybe we did something that caused them to need to do that.”
- Team-building posture: “not built by pitting the members against each other…quick to forget the faults…quick to encourage.”