My Big Fat Mouth –  Lying

Small Group Study Guide

Ice Breaker Questions

• What’s the most harmless lie you’ve ever told? (Something funny or light-hearted.)

• Can you think of a time when a small lie spiraled into something much bigger? What happened?

• Why do you think people often feel compelled to lie, even when the truth would be simpler?

Read Together 

Read each passage aloud together, then discuss:

• Luke 6:45 (NLT) – “A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.”

• James 3:3-12 – A passage about the power of the tongue and its potential for both good and evil.

• John 8:44 – Jesus says that the devil is the father of lies.

• Colossians 3:9-10 – “Don’t lie to each other, for you have stripped off your old sinful nature with its practices, and have put on the new nature, which is being renewed in knowledge in the image of its Creator.”

• 1 Peter 3:10-12 – “If you want to enjoy life and see many happy days, keep your tongue from speaking evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.”

• Acts 5:1-5 – The story of Ananias and Sapphira and the consequences of lying to the Holy Spirit.

Group Discussion Questions

Personal Reflection:

• How often do you find yourself telling lies, either out of convenience or fear of consequences?

• In what areas of your life do you struggle the most with lying—whether to yourself, to others, or to God?

   

Scriptural Insights:

• In Luke 6:45, Jesus teaches that our words come from what is in our hearts. How do you think our words can reflect what’s going on in our hearts? What does this teach us about the importance of our inner life?

• According to James 3:3-12, the tongue is powerful and can either bless or curse. What are some examples of how your words have either built someone up or torn them down? How can you make sure your words reflect the love of Christ?

   

The Root of Lies:

• Why do you think lying is so common, even among believers? What is it about human nature that makes us prone to deception?

• John 8:44 describes the devil as the father of lies. How does understanding the source of lies impact the way we view them? What should our response be to lies in our lives and in the world around us?

   

The Ripple Effect of Lies:

• Reflecting on the story of Ananias and Sapphira (Acts 5:1-5), how do lies not only affect the individual but also those around them? Can you think of any personal experiences where a lie had a far-reaching impact?

• How does lying affect our relationship with God and others? What steps can we take to restore trust once it’s been damaged?

   

The Remedy:

• Colossians 3:9-10 talks about putting off our old sinful nature and putting on a new nature in Christ. How can we practically begin to “put off” lying and embrace truth? What role does Christ play in this transformation?

• 1 Peter 3:10-12 encourages us to speak truth and seek peace. How can these two principles help us in our day-to-day interactions, especially in difficult or confrontational situations?

Action Steps

1. Examine Your Words:
   Reflect on the words you’ve spoken in the past week. Are there any lies you need to confess to God? Spend some time in prayer, asking for forgiveness and for strength to speak truth from a heart transformed by Christ.

    

2. Accountability Partner:
   Choose someone from the group to be your accountability partner for the week. Encourage each other to speak truth and to be mindful of how your words reflect your heart.

    

3. Practice Speaking Truth:
   In situations this week where you might be tempted to lie or withhold the truth, make a conscious decision to speak truth. It might be difficult, but practice doing it, even in small ways.

    

4. Pray for Transformation:
   Ask God to continue transforming your heart. Pray for the courage to be honest and for your words to reflect His truth and love in every conversation.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the gift of Your Word that convicts, heals, and transforms. We confess that we have allowed lies to take root in our hearts, and we ask for Your forgiveness. Help us to speak truth in love, reflecting the grace and honesty of Christ.
We invite You to transform our hearts so that our words might bring life, not destruction. Give us the strength to stop the cycle of lies and to embrace the truth in every area of our lives.
Thank You for the hope of the gospel, that through Christ, we can be made new. In His name, we pray. Amen.