Knowing Jesus,
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Web manager Simon Ford
Jesus said, “I am the Alpha and the Omega,
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Rev 22.13
the First and the Last,
the Beginning and the End.”
Rev 22.13
EDGE GROUP SUMMER No.3 Honesty
Welcome
Play a game of cheat.
A pack of cards (or two) gets distributed amongst everybody. The first person puts down one or more cards, of the same value, face down. (E.g. three 6’s, two queens or one 10)
This is then followed by the next person putting a number of cards down of a connecting number or the same number. (I.e. on top of the three 6’s, player b) could put a number of 5s, a number of 6s or 7s). Well, he says he is putting down two 7’s but he might actually put down anything he wants – an 8 and a 2, two kings, or even 5 cards all completely different – he can cheat as much as he wants, as long as no-one calls him a cheat – or he can be honest)
After any go, the next person can call ‘cheat’. The cards played are then turned over and it is agreed if the previous person cheated or not. If they did cheat they then pick up all the cards in the middle to add to their hand (and the player who called cheat starts the next round) – if they didn’t cheat the person who called cheat picks them all up (and the next person starts the round).
The game goes on until you’ve had enough or one player gets rid of all their cards.
Worship
Get a bit of paper and let them draw what honesty looks like…
Think of Jesus – all the ways he was honest… teaching, telling people they would or wouldn’t be saved, his anger at the ‘religious’ people. How does he fit with the drawings.
Word
Read this out….
As you walk into your biology class, you notice a lot of tension in the air. Everyone knows that the teacher is planning on giving a difficult test to the class the next day. As you sit down at your desk, you notice a sheet of paper laying on the radiator next to you and you inadvertently glance at it. You realize that you are looking at the master copy for tomorrow's test. Before you know it you have carefully read down the whole page. Your friend sitting behind you notices that you are mesmerized by the piece of paper on the radiator and, out of curiosity, looks over at it. Before long a small crowd has gathered around the test and around your desk. Everyone is rapidly soaking up the questions; some students are even writing the questions down. Everyone scatters when the teacher enters the room, but it's too late; the teacher already noticed the crowd and approaches the paper. The teacher picks up the paper and realizes that it is the master copy he has misplaced. He looks at you and says, "This is tomorrow's test. Do you know if anyone looked at it?" You feel as if the eyes of the world are upon you. How will you respond?
Discuss these questions:
• How will you respond? What are your options?
• What could be the outcome of each option?
• What are some of the motivations behind each option?
• Why would it be so hard to do the right thing?
• What is at stake in each option?
• What do the optional responses reveal about a person's values? Be positive with help and guidance rather than condemnation…
(Other areas we see honesty challenged – politicians, footballers, exaggeration)
Why does God value honesty?
Objections to honesty – it can hurt others (yes your bum does look big in that), it can be time consuming or lying helps us look better – but are any of these more important than building up trust – being pure, being the person God wants you to be.
BIBLE READING: James 5:1-6, 12
KEY BIBLE VERSE: Above all, my brothers, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or by anything else. Let your “Yes” be yes, and your “No,” no, or you will be condemned. (James 5:12, NIV)
Honesty breeds trust. A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can’t get anyone to believe him on his word alone. Christians should never become like that. Always be honest so that others will believe your simple yes or no. By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person.
Witness
What are the benefits of honesty? Write down as many or few as possible. Pray for one another to be honest and to get those benefits!