Exploring Truth and Trust in God's Word

First Priority Club Module 2 Lessons: Is God Trustworthy? Module 2: Week 1 Overview: In the last module, we talked about how everyone is born disconnected from God due to selfish desires, which the Bible calls sin. However, God has provided a way back to Him through His Son, Jesus. In this module, we will explore the concept of truth and its foundational role in trusting God. 1.Absolute and Relative Truth Absolute Truth is always valid, unchanging, and independent of human perception, belief, or context. For example, 2+2=4 is true in every situation. In Genesis 1we read: God created the sky and the earth. Then God said, Let there be light! And light began to shine. He separated the light from the darkness, naming the light day and the darkness night. He then gathered the waters so that dry land appeared, naming the dry land earth and the gathered waters seas. Question: What absolute truths can be found in these verses (hint: consider the earth)? Relative truth is truth that varies based on perspective, belief, and context, and can change over time. For example, cultural or social practices. In Genesis 29:26we read Leah s father answered, It is not the custom here to give the younger daughter in marriage before the older and Genesis 43:24reads: The servant took the brothers into the house. He gave them water so that they could wash their feet, and he fed their donkeys . Question: What are examples of relative truths in these verses? 2. The Consequences of Rejecting Absolute Truth In Isaiah 5:20, we read: You are doomed! You call evil good and call good evil. You turn darkness into light and light into darkness. You make what is bitter sweet, and what is sweet you make bitter. Question: What happens if we reject absolute truth? 3. Truth and Trust Trust is defined as a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something. In Job 8:13-15 we read: People who forget God are like that. Those who oppose him have no hope. They have put their trust in something weak. It is like a spider s web. When they lean against it, it will break. When they reach out for it, it will not hold them up . Question: Why is a spider web unable to hold us, and how does this relate to trustworthiness? 4. Absolute Truth and God In Malachi 3:6, we read: I am the Lord, and I do not change and in 1 Corinthians 1:9, we read: God is faithful- reliable, trustworthy and ever true to His promise He can be depended on, and through Him you were called into fellowship with His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord . Question: According to these verses, how does the definition of absolute truth relate to God (the definition of absolute is perfect, pure, complete, and free from limitations)? Talk About It: Why is truth necessary for trust? What happens if we trust in something or someone that isn t trust-worthy? Provide examples. Page 1 of 3

Module 2: Week 2 First Priority Module 2 Lessons Overview: Last week, we discussed the concept of truth and its role in trusting God. We defined absolute truth as unchanging and complete, while relative truth can change over time. This week, we will continue exploring truth and how it relates to God. 1.Creation and God s Truth In Genesis 1, we read: In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and then He said, Let there be light, let dry ground appear , let the water teem with living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth and then He said, Let us make mankind in our image and He blessed them . God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good and He validated it completely . Question: According to these verses, what did God create and why is this important for us to know? 2.Creation as Evidence of God s Existence In Romans 1:19-20we read: For what can be known about God is plain to them, because God has shown it to them. For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made. So they are without excuse. and Job 12 reads: Ask the animals or ask the birds of the air, and they will tell you. Or speak to the earth, and it will teach you. Or let the fish in the sea tell you their wisdom. Everyone knows that the Lord made these things. Every animal that lives and everyone who breathes they are all under God s power . Question: How does creation testify to the truth of God s existence and trustworthiness? 3. God s Love and Trustworthiness 1 John 4:16 tells us: We know the love that God has for us, and we trust that love. God is love. Everyone who lives in love lives in God, and God lives in them and 1 Corinthians 13:4-7reads: Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous, it does not brag, and it is not proud. Love is not rude, it is not selfish, and it cannot be made angry easily. Love does not remember wrongs done against it. Love is never happy when others do wrong, but it is always happy with the truth. Love never gives up on people. It never stops trusting, never loses hope, and never quits. Question:If you replace the word love with God in the 1 Corinthians verse, what do you learn about God? Talk About It: How is truth connected to love? If God is love, then how does this affirm His goodness? Do you see God s existence when you are outside (looking at his creation)? If yes, explain or give examples. One of God s attributes is that He cannot lie- why does this make him trustworthy? Action: Spend time thinking about God in the context of the 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 verses and how they apply to you. Page 2 of 3

Module 2: Week 3 First Priority Module 2 Lessons Overview: Over the past few weeks, we have discussed truth and its foundational role in trusting God. We defined absolute truth as unchanging and complete, while relative truth can change over time. This week, we will explore why God gives believers the Holy Spirit. In the Bible, the Holy Spirit is referred to as the Helper, Spirit of Truth, Comforter, and God's Spirit. 1.The Holy Spirit is from God In John 15:26, Jesus said: I will send you the Helper, also known as the Holy Spirit, from the Father; he is the Spirit of truth who comes from the Father. When he comes, he will tell you about me and John 15:17reads: The Helper is the Spirit of truth. The people of the world cannot accept him, because they don t see him or know him. But you know him. He lives with you, and he will be in you . Question: What do these verses tell us about the Holy Spirit? 2.The Holy Spirit, Spirit of Truth In 1 Corinthians 2:14we read: A person who does not have the Holy Spirit does not accept the truths that come from the Spirit of God. That person thinks they are foolish and cannot understand them, because they can only be judged to be true by the Spirit and 1 John 4:6breads: This is how we know the Spirit that is true and the spirit that is false . Question: How does this Holy Spirit help us to know what is true and what is deceitful? 3.The Holy Spirit Fills Us with Love In Romans 5:5b we read: We are able to hold our heads high no matter what happens and know that all is well, for we know how dearly God loves us, and we feel this warm love everywhere within us because God has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love . Question:In addition to the spirit of truth, what else does God s spirit do and how does this help us to trust Him? 4.The Holy Spirit Confirms We are His In Romans 8:16, we read: For his Holy Spirit speaks to us deep in our hearts and tells us that we really are God s children . Question: Why do we need this confirmation from God? Talk About It: Why is it important for us to know that God gives believers a spirit of truth? What happens if we don t have God s spirit of truth? Why does God fill our hearts with love and how does this impact us and others? Action: Spend time talking to God and asking for help in trusting Him more. Talk with a student leader if you have questions or would like prayer. Reminder:Remember to invite your friends to next week s INSPIRE meeting. Page 3 of 3

Module 2: Week 4- INSPIRE WEEK Pray About It First Priority Module 2 Lessons Overview: This week, we will share ways that inspire us to move closer to God. 1. Ask a student leader to share a verse from last week s lesson that impacted them and why. 2. Ask a student leader to share a faith story of how or why they made a decision to trust Jesus as the only way back to God. 3. Ask a student leader to read the Pray About It below. 4. Pass out Response Cards AFTER the prayer [download @ www.firstprioritytampa.org/students] 5. Collect Response Cards- leaders should follow up with students who have questions or made a decision today to follow Christ. 6. Remember to invite friends to your youth group or church this week. Pray About It: We will now take a minute to talk to God through prayer. In the quiet of your heart and mind, you can share anything with Him. As I pray out loud, I invite anyone here who wants to begin a relationship with God through faith in Jesus, to agree in your heart and mind with what I am saying because God hears the private thoughts. Dear Heavenly Father, I come to you with an open heart. I acknowledge my selfishness and how it has separated me from you. I believe that Jesus is the way back to you and want to place my trust in Him today. Help me to turn from doing things my way and release my life over to you. Thank you for promising to hear and answer my prayer. In Jesus Name, Amen. ADDITIONAL RESOURCE Video about God s truth and faithfulness: https://bibleproject.com/explore/video/faithful/ Fall 2024