Honesty—The Best Policy

High School

Lesson 5
Summer 2026
By: RLD Editorial Team
July 05, 2026

Lesson Focus:

Live honestly.

Bible Basis:

Exodus 20:16; Numbers 23:11-20

Materials Needed:

Step 1:

Internet access

Step 4:

Index Cards
Pencils

Summary & Links:

Students will watch a video about detecting lies and discuss signs of dishonesty as they explore what it means to take pains to do what is right.

Memory Verse:

For we are taking pains to do what is
right, not only in the eyes of the Lord
but also in the eyes of man.
—2 Corinthians 8:21

Students will watch a video about detecting lies and discuss signs of dishonesty as they explore what it means to take pains to do what is right.

Materials Needed:

Internet access

No one likes to be lied to, but it’s sometimes hard to know if someone is telling the truth.

Do you think you could tell if someone was lying to you? What clues might help you know if someone is lying? (Talking too fast, speaking in an overly formal way, averting eye contact, etc.)

Sometimes the most convincing, charming people can hide deception behind their words. Let’s check out this short video from a behavioral and body language expert offering one way to tell when the story someone’s telling may not be true.

Share the following video with your students [0:49]: Spot A Liar | You Can’t Lie Backward | Chase Hughes

Do you think the idea in this video will help you determine when someone’s sharing a story that isn’t true? Why or why not? (Accept all reasonable answers.)

Sadly, the sign of lying discussed in the video might be hard to use when someone isn’t sharing a story that involves a timeline. Plus, it isn’t foolproof. An expert liar may practice telling their story backward so it sounds convincing even to trained experts. Even if you were a lie detection expert, you wouldn’t be foolproof. There’s no way to be positive that someone is telling you the truth.

Now that these “tells” of dishonesty have been pointed out to you, do you recognize any of them in yourself when being less than truthful? Which ones? (Answers will vary; to initiate the conversation, share at least one sign you’ve seen in yourself.)
Two of the common reasons people might lie are because they are embarrassed about something or because the outcome of a situation is very important to them. When might this be true in a high school situation? (Teenagers are often insecure and can lie in order to exaggerate or redefine a narrative. They can also lie in situations such as homework completion, etc. to keep them from suffering the consequences of a bad decision.)

It’s natural to lie. As Christians, though, God calls us to a higher standard. That’s why God wants the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth! The Bible records many warnings against dishonesty—and even the occasional situation when godly people withheld the truth in order to protect or further the will of God. Today we will study some of the risks and rewards of telling the truth.

Looking for Steps 2 & 3?

You can find Steps 2 and 3 in your teacher’s guide. To purchase a teacher’s guide, please visit: Bible-in-Life or Echoes.

Materials Needed:

Index Cards
Pencils

If your class is meeting online, invite students to bring supplies with them to class. In this step, you will be challenging your students to live holy, honest lives in the many areas in which they live, study, play, and socialize.

We’re going to go through a speed discussion. We’ll spend a couple of minutes talking about different times teenagers might be tempted to lie: the classroom, the living room, and the Internet. For example, we’ve all spent a lot of time lately at home with our families. When we talk about the “Living Room,” you might consider lies we tell our parents or siblings, etc.

Work through the three areas allowing two minutes for each area. Invite students to talk about different reasons or how teens lie in each situation. Here are some possible scenarios that might arise:

The Classroom: lying to teachers about missing work, embellishing excuses, asking to copy someone’s homework or assignments, faking a sickness or absence, asking parents to lie for you in order to get out of an unpleasant task, hiding a progress report, or lying for a friend, cheating while working on an online assignment.

The Living Room: Asking brothers and sisters to lie for you (or lying for them), exaggerating a story to get sympathy from parents, being dishonest about television programs or other “off-limits” activities, sneaking home late, or withholding important information.

The Internet: Exaggerating on social media to improve your “status” or social standing, deceptive comments on chat boards or threads, lying about sites you’ve visited, plagiarizing schoolwork, or creating fake profiles on Twitter or Instagram, etc.

At the end of your sharing time, distribute supplies (or invite students to have them ready at home). Tell teens they will be taking a quiz that helps them formulate a personal plan of action.

I will be asking you a series of questions. You will write your answers on your index card, but no one else will see what you write—it’s for your personal evaluation.

Out of these three areas, in which place have you found yourself lying most often?
In which of the three areas do you find it easiest to be 100% honest with others?
In which area do you think teenagers (in general) struggle the most with dishonesty and deceit?
Out of these three words: EXAGGERATION, DECEPTION, FLATTERY—which one is your biggest struggle?

Before you leave today, identify several areas that might require repentance, habit-breaking, or confession to another person. This week spend some time correcting situations you’ve made note of. Let’s spend a few moments in reflective prayer as you ask God to help you live an honest, God-honoring life.

After students have had some private time, close in prayer.

Be sure to take time to text or e-mail each student during the week. Encourage them to continue working on living honestly—even if they feel they messed up.

David C Cook COVID-19 Response

High School