Truth or Dare (Part 2)
Lesson 7: Living the Truth
Lesson Workbook - Click Here for NIV Click Here for KJV
LESSON OBJECTIVES
Goals
1) To help students see that it does no good to live out the truth unless it is done in love
2) To help students avoid hypocrisy by having humility
3) To inspire students to live out each moment in the truth
Topics
Character, Honor God, Humility, Light, Morals, Truth, Truthfulness
OPENING PRAYER (5 to 10 minutes)
GROUP BUILDING (15 minutes)
This lesson concludes the Truth or Dare series. To celebrate, bring snacks for the class to enjoy. Allow some time for everyone to mingle and chat before getting started.
GETTING STARTED (10 minutes)
We’ve talked about so much in the past weeks that it might seem overwhelming to consider all it means to live in truth.
(Allow ample time for the class to share their thoughts to the following questions.)
Discussion Questions:
1. What new thoughts or ideas have you come to realize from this lesson series?
2. Of the ways we talked about living in truth, what do you think is the hardest for you to do?
Today, we want to wrap up our study by giving some practical advice on how to live the truth.
DIGGING IN (25 minutes)
There is no doubt that we are supposed to live out our faith in truth and in the right way. While we’ll be tempted to compromise what we believe, there is a truth and a proper way to behave. The Scriptures are clear that we’re supposed to be different than people who don’t follow Jesus.
Read Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22-24; Colossians 3:9-10
It is obvious that we are supposed to live differently than we once did and differently than people who aren’t Christians. There’s little doubt that is true. However, sometimes living the truth can become difficult because our motivations get mixed up.
One of the greatest dangers to Christianity, and to you as you seek to live the truth, is that you will become self-righteous and hypocritical. This was a problem with some religious leaders in Jesus’ time. They were called the Pharisees, and Jesus had some heavy stuff to say to them.
Read Matthew 23:25-28.
Discussion Questions:
1. What does Jesus say here that the Pharisees are guilty of?
2. He uses several examples to illustrate their hypocrisy. What are some of them?
3. How does a hypocritical life affect people who aren’t Christians?
4. Do you think hypocrisy is a danger to the church today? Why/why not?
Jesus tells a story that illustrates hypocrisy even more in Luke 18.
Read Luke 18:9-14
Discussion Questions:
1. What is the difference between the two people in this story?
2. In what ways an every day life be like this?
3. Do you know people who flaunt their good deeds?
4. Why is it better to be humble?
Jesus is clear—hypocrisy is not the way to live. In fact, if you are self-righteous, putting your trust in your own goodness, you are committing one of the gravest sins of all. We are never called to live a righteous life to draw attention to ourselves.
Read Matthew 5:14-16
Discussion Questions:
1. According to this passage, are we supposed to live a good life, “shining our light?” (yes)
2. Why are we supposed to live like this, so that people will glorify us? (no)
3. Who is supposed to be glorified when people see our lives? (God)
You are not called to live truth so that you can be known as a good person or as a nice guy or a sweet girl. You are called to live rightly so that people will see the way that you live and glorify God. It’s all about drawing attention to Him, not us.
MAKING IT REAL (10 minutes)
At the beginning of this study weeks ago we went over various scenarios of right and wrong. Let me paint one last scenario for you.
Imagine you lived the truth. You determined to honor Jesus with your life, recognizing right and wrong, and living it out in practical ways. You were selfless with your money, you were nice to people, you respected others, you demonstrated self-control…all that stuff.
• What would people’s perspective of you be?
• What would your closest friends see differently in you?
• What would your parents think about those transformations?
• How do you think non-believers would respond differently to you?
• What do you need to change?
All of us have areas of our life we need to surrender to Jesus more fully. And there’s no doubt that we will still struggle to tell the truth, to make good decisions, and to stay on track. But chances are, over time, you’ll find that you are making progress.
You’ll realize that you aren’t gossiping anymore, that you’re controlling your tongue, that you’re living in truth. When that happens, don’t become prideful like a hypocrite. A hypocrite is good for self-glorification. A disciple is good for God’s glorification.
Check out James 4:10. It’d be a good verse to memorize.
SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION (5 to 10 minutes)
"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up." James 4: 10 (NIV)
"You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven." Matthew 5: 14-16 (NIV)
CLOSING PRAYER (10 minutes)
So now that we’re at the end of this study on right and wrong, let’s finish up by doing just that—let’s humble ourselves. Everyone kneel where you’re at. I’m going to lead you in some prayer exercises, and I just want you to follow along. After I mention each point, I'll pause for a while so you can take time to ask God personally to give you the ability to honor Him with that area of your life. Let’s kneel and pray:
(Pause for about 30 seconds after reading each point. Read slowly and deliberately. At the end just say Amen.)
Pray that...
...God would give you the ability to discern right from wrong, truth from lies
...God would help you find your value in Him
...That you would be an honest person and not lie
...That you could be kind to people, even those that are hard to be kind to
...That you would respect your parents, teachers, church leaders, and all people in authority over you
...That you would have self-control, not overindulge in anything but in all things trust God to supply your needs
...That you would not worship money or things, but God alone
...That your words would lift people up and not tear them down
...That you would not gossip or swear or use filthy language
...That in all of this you would have humility, not wishing to be recognized but instead wishing that God be glorified.
Amen.