DISCOVER Each topic will provide a scriptural foundation, the concepts underlying the topic, and questions for the students to demonstrate their understanding of the topic. It is anticipated that these will be taught in a small group setting and take approximately 4-0 minutes. You are free to modify the concepts taught into your own words, but actual scriptural references should be included. There is a student handout for each teaching module which also includes student assignments. DEMONSTRATE This particular module is ideal for you to demonstrate the application and concepts. Start and close each meeting with a prayer of your own. DEVELOP As appropriate, encourage the students to pray for one another and share their experiences with prayer needs and/or answered prayers during the group discussion period and/or during the week between meetings. DEEPER Be sure to leave time at the start of each meeting to allow the students to share their answers/responses to their previous assignments. DISCERNMENT The key confirmations for the topic of truth are intended to confirm that the disciple is committed to looking to God s word as the source and authority for all things in life. DAILY LIVING A memory verse is provided at the end as a suggestion for them to practice and pray through each day. LEADER OVERVIEW As new believers begin to develop their understanding about God and His love, they will be transformed in the way they see and think about things around them. This is natural as God stirs their desire to understand and serve Him. It is important that this view of the world is rooted deeply and firmly in God s word. In our society, truth has become relative and morality has been distorted in ways we would have never thought just a few years ago. The value of ethics is under attack as there is an unrelenting push to drive God out of every corner of American life. With fewer and fewer people believing that there is such a thing as absolute truth, this topic will challenge them to accept God s word as the ultimate and final authority on truth. It is possible that an internal struggle will develop as they seek to reconcile the biblical world view with the secular one they hear and see around them. However, laying the foundation of truth in God s word will provide a basis for them to see the world as God intends. 1
As a prelude to this discussion, you might start the group out with a discussion about the illusions in attachment A. TRUTH A believer will find that, as they explore their understanding about God and His love for them, they will be transformed in the way they see and think about things around them. This is natural as God stirs their desire to understand and serve Him. Along this pathway to discipleship, we will find that there is a distinct difference in what society tells us about truth and what God s word says. What is TRUTH? Most definitions you will find include terms like: that which conforms to reality, fact, or actuality." What Does The Bible Say About Truth? I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you. All things that the Father has are Mine; therefore I said that He takes of Mine and will disclose it to you (John 16:12-1). Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me (John 14:6). All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17). How do you think most people come to their definition of truth? What are some of the things that influence a person s belief about truth? How does our understanding about truth affect the way we see things around us? Have you ever been absolutely sure about something only to find it was not so? How does this happen? Can you think of ways people have lost their way following Christ because they failed to understand that God s word is the source of all truth? How important is truth in making sense of the world around us? WORLD VIEW Discuss The Following Points Made In The Video: Everyone has a world view, a lens through which we see the things around us. How do you think we develop our world view? What circumstances in your life helped develop your world view? 2
Our world view defines how we look at the world around us and make sense of reality. How do differing world views contribute to conflict in our culture? Can you think of some examples of this happening around us today? Our world view governs the way we act, how we define right and wrong, and forms the basis for decisions about life. How could a person s world view drive how they perceive meaning and happiness in life? Why could this be a problem? World View As Defined By Today s Culture What do you think is the prevailing world view in our culture today related to the following questions: 1. Where did we come from? 2. Is there meaning to life? 3. Is there such a thing as right and wrong? World View As Defined By God s Word 1. Where did we come from? Read Genesis Chapter 1 together. What does God s word say about where we came from? What does the Bible tell us about man s origins? You made all the delicate, inner parts of my body and knit me together in my mother's womb. Thank you for making me so wonderfully complex! Your workmanship is marvelous -- and how well I know it. You watched me as I was being formed in utter seclusion, as I was woven together in the dark of the womb. You saw me before I was born. Every day of my life was recorded in your book. Every moment was laid out before a single day had passed (Psalm 139:13 16). What evidence do we have of creation? The heavens tell of the glory of God. The skies display his marvelous craftsmanship. Day after day they continue to speak; night after night they make him known. They speak without a sound or a word; their voice is silent in the skies; yet their message has gone out to all the earth, and their words to all the world. The sun lives in the heavens where God placed it (Psalm 19:1-4). 3
2. Is there meaning to life? What do the following verses tell us about this question? One of the teachers of religious law was standing there listening to the discussion. He realized that Jesus had answered well, so he asked, "Of all the commandments, which is the most important?" Jesus replied, "The most important commandment is this: 'Hear, O Israel! The Lord our God is the one and only Lord. And you must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your mind, and all your strength.' The second is equally important: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' No other commandment is greater than these" (Mark 12:28-31). One day an expert in religious law stood up to test Jesus by asking him this question: "Teacher, what must I do to receive eternal life?" Jesus replied, "What does the law of Moses say? How do you read it?" The man answered, "'You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, all your strength, and all your mind.' And, 'Love your neighbor as yourself' (Luke 10:2-28). Whatever you eat or drink or whatever you do, you must do all for the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31). For I know the plans I have for you," says the LORD. "They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11). 3. Is there such a thing as right or wrong? Jesus came and told his disciples, "I have been given complete authority in heaven and on earth (Mathew 28:18). All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God's way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do (II Timothy 3:16-17). Don't copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will know what God wants you to do, and you will know how good and pleasing and perfect his will really is (Romans 12:2). 4
As you walk with The Lord and study His Word, it will be natural for you to be impacted in the way you see the world around you. Studying God s Word and experiencing His hand in your life will change your world view. According to the world, we are the result of millions of years of chance, with no purpose but to please ourselves and no future after death. According to the Bible, our purpose, the reason we are here, is for God's glory. In other words, our purpose is to praise God, to worship Him, to proclaim His greatness, and to accomplish His will. Think about how your current world view lines up with what the Bible teaches. What are some concrete things you can do to affirm God s world view in your life?