REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

"The Truth About The Truth!"

ICEBREAKER: What is the best prank you've pulled off or someone did to you?

INTRODUCTION: God's truth is never subject to our comprehension of God's Word of Truth. God's Word is the absolute truth. Our experiences, our perceptions and our circumstances do not change God's truth. It is still the truth whether we believe it or not. God's truth is manifested when we bring the facts and present realities of heaven into the realm of the earth. In other words what is already true in heaven becomes our reality on earth when we agree with and obey God's will. Jesus, who is the embodiment of truth, said, "Our Father who art in heaven...thy kingdom come thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven."

Often our perceptions of what we believe to be true distort our view of what is actually the truth. For example, sometimes when a couple gets divorced the children believe it was their fault. Another example might be if you notice a pattern that immediately following a breakthrough in your life something negative happens and then that becomes your truth and you begin to expect the pattern to repeat itself every time. These are called false beliefs that become triggers in our lives. The Bible says knowing the truth makes us free. This knowing is a deep intimate knowing! God's truth is foundational truth that you can stand on and build your life upon!

CONFESSION:

My influences produce my thoughts

My thoughts produce my words

My words produce my actions

My repeated actions produce my habits

My habits produce my character

My character produces my destiny

I will always speak the truth in love

I will always pursue the truth with the spirit of excellence

I will always welcome the Spirit of Truth to guide my steps

God I give you my perceptions and ask you to help me bring them into conformity with your will. God help me become a person of veracity and integrity!

DEFINITION: Truth

1. The quality of being true; as: -- (a) Conformity to fact or reality; exact accordance with that which is, or has been; or shall be.

2. Conformity to rule; exactness; close correspondence with an example, mood, object of imitation, or the like.

3. Fidelity; constancy; steadfastness; faithfulness.

4. The practice of speaking what is true; freedom from falsehood; veracity.

5. That which is true or certain concerning any matter or subject, or generally on all subjects; real state of things; fact; verity; reality.

6. A true thing; a verified fact; a true statement or proposition; an established principle, fixed law, or the like; as, the great truths of morals.

7. Righteousness; true religion.

8. To assert as true; to declare

OUTLINE: CHARACTERISTICS OF TRUTH

1. The truth holds us accountable for our thoughts, words and actions

2. The truth does not lie to protect itself

3. The truth never has to make excuses

4. Intimately knowing the truth brings freedom. No truth, no freedom!

5. In order to be absolute truth, the truth must be the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth

6. Mercy cannot be extended until truth is revealed. No truth, no mercy!

7. Truth is the foundational quality of integrity. No truth, no integrity!

8. The truth is personified or embodied by the person of the Lord Jesus Christ

9. The Holy Spirit is also called the Spirit of truth meaning he will lead and guide you into all truth.

TEXT:

For the Lord is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations. (Psalm 100:5 KJV)

He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. (Psalm 15:2 KJV)

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31, 32 KJV)

Open ye the gates, that the righteous nation which keepeth the truth may enter in. (Isaiah 26:2 KJV)

The lip of truth shall be established for ever: but a lying tongue is but for a moment. (Proverbs 12:19 KJV)

If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. (1 John 1:8 KJV)

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:14-16 KJV)

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will. (2 Timothy 2:15, 16, 24-26 KJV)

Mercy and truth are met together; righteousness and peace have kissed each other. (Psalm 85:10 KJV)

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. Why do people lie?

2. Why do mercy and truth go together?

3. What is the progression in Hosea 4:1-6, for the people who choose to walk away from truth, mercy and knowledge?

4. Why do you think knowing the truth sets you free?

5. What truth in your life do you need the Spirit of Truth to lead you into? (Financial, emotional, spiritual, physical, vocational, intellectual, educational...)

6. Ephesians 4:14-16 tells us what happens when we speak the truth in love. Hint: We grow up! In what areas do we need to grow up?

PRAISE REPORT & PRAYER REQUESTS:

ACTION POINT: This week I will ask God, my family and friends to make me accountable for my thoughts and actions.