Lesson Prepration Guide for "Faith: A Bond of Trust and Loyalty"

In his General Conference address, Elder Sandino Roman of the Seventy shares a powerful message about the essential principle of faith in Jesus Christ. He illustrates how faith is not merely belief but a deep bond of trust and loyalty, grounded in love. Through personal experiences and scriptural insights, Elder Roman invites us to nurture our relationship with the Savior, even amidst adversity, and to become true disciples who are strengthened by His promises.

Ideas for Opening the Lesson

Begin the lesson by sharing a personal experience where you had to rely on faith during a challenging situation. Invite class members to think of their own experiences as you share.
Play a short video clip of someone expressing their testimony of faith in Jesus Christ and discuss how their experience relates to Elder Roman's talk.
Ask the class to think about someone they trust deeply and discuss what it is about that person that makes them trustworthy. Transition into how we can apply that same trust to our relationship with Jesus Christ.
Invite class members to silently ponder a time when they felt the Lord's power in their lives. After a moment of reflection, ask a few to share their experiences with the class.
Start with a brief hymn or song that focuses on faith, such as "I Am a Child of God," and discuss its message in relation to Elder Roman's talk.

Topics

Faith in Christ Means Trusting Him

Elder Roman emphasized that faith in Christ goes beyond believing in His existence; it involves developing a deep trust in Him akin to the trust we have in loved ones. This trust is built by recognizing His blessings and forming a personal relationship with Him.

When we have faith in Christ, we recognize His blessings and develop a relationship of trust with Him.

What experiences have helped you develop trust in Jesus Christ?
How does recognizing Christ's blessings in your life strengthen your faith?
In what ways can you actively work to increase your trust in Christ?
How does viewing faith as trust change your perspective on your relationship with Christ?
Can you share a time when trusting in Christ helped you overcome a challenge?

Faith Flourishes with Loyalty

Elder Roman taught that faith grows as we demonstrate loyalty to Christ by making and keeping covenants. This loyalty strengthens our relationship with Him and guides our actions, much like a promise can guide our behavior.

Notice that faith sprouts as we trust in Jesus Christ and blooms as we are faithful and loyal to Him.

How do covenants with Christ help to build your faith?
What does loyalty to Christ look like in your daily life?
Can you think of a promise or covenant that has significantly influenced your actions?
Why is loyalty an important aspect of faith?
How can we show gratitude for God's love through our loyalty?

Faith in the Face of Adversity

Elder Roman encouraged facing adversity by walking undaunted toward Christ, fueled by faith and constant interaction with Him. This faith acts as a guiding light in challenging times.

Simply walk undaunted toward Him, just as the 2025 FSY conference theme invites: "Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not."

How has your faith helped you navigate through difficult times?
What does it mean to walk undaunted toward Christ?
How can past experiences of faith strengthen you in future adversities?
In what ways can faith act as a light in dark times?
How can we prepare ourselves spiritually for future challenges?

God’s Promises to His Faithful People

Elder Roman reassured that as we nurture our relationship with Christ and remain loyal, we become His disciples, gaining strength to overcome challenges and receive His power.

Your loyalty, love, and trust in Christ will shape your character and identity after His.

What are some promises God has made to His faithful followers?
How does loyalty to Christ shape our character?
What does it mean to become a disciple of Christ?
How can we trust in God's promises during uncertain times?
How does the knowledge of God's promises influence your daily decisions?

Increasing Trust in Christ

Elder Roman invited us to meditate on spiritually defining memories and to seek personal communication with God, which deepens our trust and enhances our religious practices.

Pray to your Heavenly Father as if it were the first time. Express your love and gratitude for His blessings.

How can reflecting on spiritually defining moments strengthen your faith?
What role does personal prayer play in increasing your trust in Christ?
How can we make our religious habits more meaningful?
Why is it important to record and remember God's hand in our lives?
What steps can you take to deepen your relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ?

Additional Discussion Questions

How can we develop a deeper relationship with Christ?
What does it mean to have faith as a principle of action?
How does faith influence our ability to overcome sin?
In what ways can we show gratitude for Christ's love?
How can we ensure that our faith remains strong during trials?
What are some ways to recognize Christ's blessings in our lives?
How can we support others in building their faith in Christ?
What does Elder Roman mean by 'spiritually defining memories'?
How can we cultivate a habit of turning to Christ in every thought?
What are some practical ways to increase our loyalty to Christ?