Here are some questions based on last Sunday’s sermon text (Matthew 5:33-37), in case they’re helpful to you for personal growth or group discussion…

• “Let what you say be simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything more than this comes from evil [or the evil one]” (v. 37). Speech is a relational activity. The rejection of truthful speech is the rejection of reality in relationship. Jesus wants his people to live in the truth of God’s reality together, which means always speaking the simple, straightforward, honest truth. Anything else comes from the devil, the “father of lies” (John 8:44). Can you think of a time when it was difficult for you to tell the truth? Why is it so hard for us to be completely truthful in our speech? Why are we afraid of knowing or speaking the truth? Why does truthfulness matter?

• You can’t love someone and lie to them at the same time. You can’t live in reality while promoting an untrue reality with untrue speech. The only way you can believe yourself to be an honest person while embracing untruth is by lying to yourself, deceiving yourself, which is something we all do. What do you think about the fact that you’re capable of deceiving yourself? Why do we do it? Are you aware of some times when you have done that?

• Jesus is the Truth of God, the Reality of God for our relationship with him. He makes the truth about God known to us; he makes the truth about us known to us; he makes the truth about us known to God. “The cross is God’s truth about us… When we know the cross, we are no longer afraid of the truth” (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, The Cost of Discipleship). The cross reveals our sin. But, even more, the cross reveals The Ultimate Truth, which is God’s merciful and gracious love for sinners. How does knowing The Ultimate Truth free you to grapple with other, painful, frightening truths about yourself and others? In light of the Truth of Christ, can you face the reality of your relationships? In light of his Truth, can you speak the truth in love, for love’s sake, even when it’s hard?

• FOR THE CHILDREN: Maybe your parents have taught you not to lie, but to tell the truth always. What’s wrong with lying? Why is it hard to tell the truth sometimes? Can you think of a time when you lied? Did you ask forgiveness from God, and from the person you lied to? (Jesus does forgive you!)