Nurturing Truth and Confronting Lies Facilitator Name Learn more at: tctprogram.org

Core Principles of TCT

Depending on God Nurturing Truth and Confronting Lies Integrating Physical and Spiritual Partnering with Churches Focusing on the Vulnerable Mobilizing Local Resources Pursuing God’s Ways

Nurturing Truth and Confronting Lies

BUTTERFLY CIRCUS VIDEO

Small Group discussion What were the beliefs that the two ringmasters had about the people they lead? How did these beliefs impact the people they lead? What beliefs did Will have about himself? What caused those beliefs to change? What can we learn from this video about the power of beliefs?

The Power of Our Beliefs Here are two stories to help you see the impact of our beliefs: The strange desert in Israel – Arabs and Jews The land of Constanza - a Latin American nation in the Caribbean islands called Dominican Republic It is a a fertile valley surrounded by picturesque mountains. Water is plentiful there, and the climate stays moderate year-round. In the valley, several Dominican families barely survive working their small farms. They are some of the poorest people in the nation. At the same time there are large homes and villas that overlook the valley. They are owned by Japanese immigrants who came at the end of World War 2. They left Japan with nothing but the clothes on their backs. Just like the local farmers they worked in the valley farming. After the war the Japanese were extremely poor, they didn’t speak the language, didn’t know the culture, didn’t have large support groups. However, they become rich while the local Dominican farmers remained poor.   Why do you think this happened? The beliefs each group had impacted their actions: The Japanese believe in hard work; they were trained as children never to give up. The Dominican farmers were fatalistic – they believed it didn’t matter what you did, you would remain poor. There wasn’t any motivation to work hard, they would do just enough and then rest.

You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies. John 8:44

Common Lies Satan tells us

Work is a heavy burden. It is good to work as little as possible.

We were born poor and we will die poor.

We are so poor that we don’t need to give We are so poor that we don’t need to give. Other people should give to us.

God only cares about spiritual things.

God only wants us to evangelize our neighbors—we don’t need to care for their physical needs.

We can’t change our lives without finances from someone else.

Some people are created better than other people. We are not important.

Small Group Discussion Choose 2 lies which are common in your area. What are the impacts of these lies? What sort of behaviours result from them?

“If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples “If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. 32 Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:31-32

Small Groups Discussion Identify what you think is the biblical truth of each of these lies. What are some specific verses you can think of that address this lie?

Understanding Truth Teaching Modelling Testimonies Experience God’s Intervention

Small group Discussion What are some of the key beliefs that are holding people back from changing in the area where you are working? What is the truth? What are some of the ways you could bring truth to those you are working with?

Our Own Lies

It takes big development projects to have a big impact

The only solution to poverty is development projects

The poor need help; they are lacking in every way.

The church is unable to make a real difference in addressing physical needs

Poverty isn’t our responsibility – it is the government or NGO’s.

The only solution to poverty is more evangelism.

Small Groups What is the impact of this belief? What is the truth? What does the bible say? Can you think of any examples of the truth? A story that you could use if you were teaching?

What are some other lies that NGO or Church Workers often believe about how to help people to move out of poverty? What is the truth?

Personal Reflection Ask God to reveal the lies that you believe. If appropriate ask Him to forgive you for the times that your actions came out of lies and to continue to teach you the truth that you need.