Leaders Discussion Guide for June 24, 2012 Matthew 5:33-37 “Lying”

Leaders Discussion Guide for June 24, 2012Matthew 5:33-37 “Lying”-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------OverviewThis summer, we’re studying a chunk of the Sermon on the Mount. When reading through the Bible, it’s thefirst sermon from Jesus and it’s also the longest. This sermon is like a handbook for the kingdom of God.This Week’s Big IdeaIn Matthew 5:33-37, Jesus addresses the issue of honesty. He teaches that there aren’t any excuses orloopholes when it comes to truth and lies. All of our words should be true and honest.-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ReviewThe Twists vs. The Truths - External Performance Matters vs. Internal Transformation MattersMatthew 5:21-26 - Murder vs. AngerMatthew 5:27-30 - Adultery vs. LustMatthew 5:31-32 - Divorce vs. One FleshIntroductionMatthew 5:33-37, Hebrews 6:16, James 5:12What’s an oath?An oath proves honesty. It shows that you know you are making a promise. It shows that you are willing toput something on the line.Why was Jesus against oaths?Needing to prove your honesty in one situation, only proves your dishonesty in other situations.Why does God still allow oaths?Never will all of the world’s words be true, so the world will always need oaths.Why should we avoid oaths?If your words are always true, then you will never need oaths.The Twists vs. The Truths - External Performance Matters vs. Internal Transformation MattersMatthew 5:33-27 - Oaths vs. HonestyDiscussion1. Do you think people are born liars? Why or why not?2. Who taught you how to lie?3. How old were you when you first remember telling a lie? What’s the first lie you remember telling?

4. Here are some different types of lies. Try to think of an example of each:Fabrication: a lie told when someone makes a statement without knowing for certain whether or notit actually is true. Although the statement may be possible, it is not based on fact. Rather, it issomething made up.Bold-Faced: a lie which is told when it is obvious to everyone that it is a lie.Omission: a lie that leaves out an important fact, deliberately leaving another person with amisconception.Perjury: the act of making false statements under oath or in a court of law. This is a crime, becausethe witness has sworn to tell the truth.Bluffing: to pretend to have a capability or intention which one does not actually possess.Misleading: a statement where there is not an outright lie but the purpose is to get someone tobelieve in an untruth.Exaggeration: a lie that makes something appear better than it actually is. The most fundamentalaspects of the statement might be true, but only to a certain degree.5. Out of the 7 types of lies, which type of lying do you hear the most?6. Which type of lying are you most guilty of?7. What do you think are the most common reasons people lie? Rank the following list 1-8._________ To get out of trouble_________ To protect appearance_________ To be noticed or acknowledged_________ To get ahead socially_________ To get something_________ To impress someone_________ To gain financially_________ To hide something8. We often think we have good reasons for telling lies. We think that our situation is the exception to the rule.We make excuses and try to find loopholes. What are some situations where people might think lying is okay?9. Has lying ever gotten you into trouble with your teachers, parents, or friends? Explain.10. Have you ever been eaten up with guilt because you lied?11. Why not lie? Look up the following verses and talk about reasons why lying is not a good idea:§ Psalm 5:6§ Psalm 52:4-5§ Psalm 101:7§ Proverbs 12:19§ Proverbs 12:22§ Proverbs 15:4§ Proverbs 17:20§ Proverbs 19:512. Imagine a world with no lying. No exaggerations… No fabrications… How would life be different if everyonehad to always tell the truth?Application1) Admit that you’re a liar and ask for forgiveness.1 John 1:8-92) Trust God and commit to telling the truth.Psalm 15:1-2