Date: October 15, 2023
Does it Really Matter Which “Truth” I Believe?
The Point: Knowing the truth of Christ is the only way we can experience freedom.
Get Into the Study
Sare the followng after discussing Question 1.
The Kunsten Museum of Modern Art in Denmark had something happen to them that seemed too surprising to be true. The museum lent artist Jens Haaning the equivalent of $76,400 to recreate two pieces of artwork that physically depicted the average income of a Danish citizen compared to an Austrian citizen. Instead of putting the money on the canvases to display at the installation, Haaning kept the money and turned in two blank canvases under the title “Take the Money and Run.”
Thinking it a joke, the museum originally displayed the blank canvases as part of the “Work it Out” show in 2021, expecting Haaning to return the money. The artist never returned the money, and the museum later pressed charges for the theft, stating it was a breach of contract.
After the lengthy court battle, the artist still has not returned the money or owed legal fees, saying that this is part of his artwork and not a breach of contract.
Get Into the Study [Option for Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video showing something surprisingly true. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Share the following after discussing Question 4.
When people talk about living in freedom from something, they are often talking about freedom from addiction.
Country singer George Jones passed away in 2013, but his widow, Nancy, has recently opened up about his past battles with addiction and how he achieved sobriety. The late singer struggled for decades with cocaine and alcohol addiction, and it nearly killed him in 1999 when he was driving under the influence.
Nancy said that she chose to stay during the hardship of her husband’s addiction and through his lengthy recovery because she knew he was a good man outside of his addiction. In her new memoir, she talks about how she stayed because she knew her support would help him eventually get sober.
After his accident, Jones told God that if he could make it through the recovery, he would give up his vices and become a perfect husband. Nancy says that’s exactly what happened, and the couple enjoyed another fourteen years together before Jones ultimately passed away in 2013.
Just as overcoming addiction gives freedom, accepting Jesus as Savior grants freedom from sin.
EXTRA was written by Emily Duncan, a Southern California native currently living in West Georgia with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. She became a Christian when she was sixteen at a youth retreat. Now, she’s a self-described homemaker and semi-professional baker who dreams of eventually finishing all the projects in her workroom.
Study the Bible [Option from the Daily Discipleship Guide]
After reading John 8:31-32, play this video and encourage the group to listen closely to the lyrics, considering what it really means to allow the truth of Christ to set us free.
Listening to the lyrics of this song allows the group to reflect on what it means to know the truth and allow that truth to set us free and then to share their thoughts with others in the group.
Additional Questions
Icebreaker
- What is the funniest “half-truth” you tried to tell a parent or teacher growing up?
- What are people hoping to discover when they research their ancestry?
- Where do you go when you need to find the truth about a current event?
- How do you determine if something is true?
- What are some things you’ve been surprised to find out were true? (BG)
- What was your reaction when you first heard the truth about Santa Claus?
John 3:19-21
- Why do people love the darkness rather than the light?
- What are several enjoyable results of living by the light?
- How can traditional beliefs keep people in darkness?
- How does the loss of truth in a culture produce “darkness”?
- What are some ways you’ve seen the world more clearly since you became a follower of Jesus? (BG)
John 8:31-32
- Since Jesus lays this out as the litmus test for discipleship, how can we tell if we are “continuing in His word?”
- What does it mean practically to be set free by the truth of Jesus?
- What beliefs about the Bible truly set people free to live and why is that so?
- How does our world determine truth and morality?
- What’s the problem with everyone having their own truth?
- What are some specific ways truth has brought about freedom in your life?
John 8:33-36
- Why do some people prefer the slavery of sin to the freedom of Christ?
- What actions are sins, but we excuse them as no big deal and even do them in church?
- What makes church people particularly hard-headed sometimes?
- How does sin lead to bondage?
- Why might people not understand Jesus’s promise of freedom?
- What are we free to do when we are set free from sin?
- How does knowing the truth provide opportunities for victory over sin?
For Those in Your Group
Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:
How Do I Know What the Truth Is?
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Thank you for this helpful podcast and articles.
I have been reading The Daniel
Dilemma by Chris Hodges in preparation for these lessons. Quite beneficial.
Thank you for these Podcast’s, your discussions always help in my teaching the lesson.
Thank you for the “extra” information. The podcast and print are both helpful. (And, yes. I did sing along with the suggested hymn!)
I will use information in the podcast and questions in class this Sunday. I will Chris Tomlin’s song this week to my class; the message is so very powerful! We are so thankful Jesus set us free from the chains of sin; His truth has set us free.