October 26 - The Teachings of Jesus

Let Your 'Yes' Be 'Yes'

Icebreaker
What’s the funniest or most creative excuse you’ve ever heard (or used) for being late?

Study Questions

1. Read Matthew 5:33–37. Why do you think Jesus links honesty with the heart rather than just outward behavior?
2. According to the Old Testament passages cited (Deut. 6:13; 10:20; Lev. 19:12), why were oaths originally permitted, and how had they been misused by Jesus’ time?
3. How does Jesus’ command to “let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’ and your ‘no’ be ‘no’ ” reveal the difference between external religion and inner transformation?
4. From the list of modern Forms of Deceit (lying, spin, half-truths, omission, etc.), which do you see most often in today’s culture—and why do you think it’s so common?
5. How can followers of Jesus practice truthfulness without becoming harsh or self-righteous toward those who are deceptive?

Application Questions

1. Which form of deception do you personally find most tempting—and what might it look like to repent of that tendency this week?
2. How can your words at home, at work, or online become more reliable reflections of God’s truth?
3. What step could you take this week to “speak truthfully to your neighbor” (Eph. 4:25) and “keep your oath even when it hurts” (Ps. 15:4)?

Prayer
Pray for hearts formed by truth rather than image—asking God to expose any place where deceit or half-truths hide within us.
Invite group members to share prayer requests and to pray that each person’s words and actions would reflect the character of Christ, who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life.