As a child, I can remember getting together with a group of friends and playing "Truth or Dare." My heart would pound as I debated whether to tell a personal truth or risk completing a challenging dare. I would weigh the cost, trying to choose the one that caused me the least amount of humiliation. It was fun. It was exciting. It was fairly safe because I could choose what I wanted to do.
As I live the Christian life, it often looks like I am playing this child's game. It seems that I repeatedly choose to speak God's truth but do not dare to let others see how far I am from living it out. My human nature begs me to choose the easy way, the way that makes me look capable, confident, and in control.
Paul speaks to me today from Ephesians 3:12 as he says, "When we trust in him, we are free to say whatever needs to be said, bold to go wherever we need to go." In short, with God I can fearlessly live a "Truth and Dare" life.
As a small group leader, I am challenged by these words. I want to create an environment in which those in my small group can experience God's Truth and a daring opportunity to be changed by Him. During the Bible study portion of the small group meeting, I no longer ask "Truth or Dare" questions. Instead, I ask "Truth and Dare" questions that:
- Challenge each person to CONNECT with the truth of God's Word. In these verses, what is God revealing to you right now about Himself, His purpose, and/or His ways?
- Ask them to CONSIDER the value and benefits of God's commands. What are God's promises for you in this passage of scripture?
- Offer the opportunity for them to COMMIT to apply the truth to their daily life. Based on what we have discussed tonight, what is God asking you to do in your personal life, your family, your small group, and/or your work?
"Truth and Dare" questions such as these bring God's Truth into the midst of our lives and Dare us to be different.
