"Trust With Caution: Smart Mary" (continued) Accompanies Lesson: 5
Objectives
(See Teaching Picture 45)
LifeFacts to be Taught
(See Teaching Picture 45)
Teacher Notes
(See Teaching Picture 45)
Discussion
She decided to leave and think things over. She no longer felt she could trust him enough to be alone with him. Do you think she was right in leaving? He had earned some of her trust, but then lost it. What do you think he needs to do to win it back? Discuss the fact that as trust can be earned, it can also be lost. Also, trust is a fragile quality that once betrayed is difficult to regain.
Gus uses the four Smart Trust Questions before making the decision to give the man the money for the tickets:
- How well do I know this person? I don't know him at all.
- Has this person shown that he or she is trustworthy? No.
- Has this person been hurtful to others? I don't know.
- How do I feel about offering my trust? This feels like it's worth a chance if I "trust with caution."
After asking the SmartTrust Questions, Gus realizes that he really has to "trust with caution" if he's going to trust this guy at all. He doesn't know him, the guy has no record of trustworthiness, and he doesn't know if he hurts other people. But, it feels like the guy may have the tickets.
Gus "trusts with caution" and protects himself by saying that instead of giving him the money in advance, he'll give the money when he is given the tickets.