Everyone’s probably heard the phrase “honesty is the best policy,” but being honest isn’t always easy to do. Sometimes we find it easier not to talk about difficult or challenging things—not because we’re trying to lie, but because the subject is painful or uncomfortable or we think we’ll be judged for some reason. We just don’t want to talk about it.
- What do you think “honesty is the best policy” means? (Answers may vary.)
- Have you ever chosen not to talk about something because it was embarrassing, hurtful, or upsetting? (Be prepared to share your own examples.)
- Have you ever been surprised by what you heard when someone was honest with you? What happened? (Give one or two students the opportunity to share.)
Just because something is true doesn’t necessarily mean we need to talk about it. Some things are true but hurtful or unpleasant; other things we just don’t talk about because we are being polite. Of course, young kids often don’t have this kind of filter. In the video you’re about to watch, the kids are very, very honest with God!
Play this video for the students [3:49]:
Letters to God from Children
The examples in that video were funny, but in real life it can be hard to be honest. Sometimes, it might even seem like we don’t have anyone we can talk to.
- Is anyone willing to share about a time when you wanted to tell someone how you felt, but didn’t think you could trust them? (Students may need prompting to share by you leading out with your own experience but be sure over-sharing of names and details does not occur.)
Honesty can be challenging, but there’s one Person we can always be honest with. Today’s lesson is an extreme example to teach us exactly why.