Message Series // Old School – Truth (Part 1)
Message Date // November 21, 2021 (Scotty Priest)
Big Idea
The Old School series is an opportunity to rediscover vintage values. Why do we need to do this? As we’ve progressed in our American culture, we might have felt along the way that there are certain values and standards that are “out-dated” and not applicable anymore to life. But in moving forward, maybe we have left behind some ideas and thoughts that are important and actually anchor us. Values like character, integrity, modesty, honor, purity, and responsibility. As we progress, maybe one of the best things we can do is look back and reclaim important standards God desires us to cling to.
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls.’” – Jeremiah 6:16
Discussion
1. Growing up, what were some of the favorite things you had that would now be considered “old school”?
2. Read Isaiah 59:8-15. In 700 B.C., one of the key values Isaiah communicates has gone is truth (v. 14-15). We can even see this happen in our culture over the past 100 years. The Silent Generation (1928-1945) said, “What is true is true.” The Baby Boomers (1946-1964) said, “If it feels right, it’s true.” Gen X (1965-1980) said, “It’s true for you, but not for me.” Millennials (1981-1996) said, “Your truth can hurt others.” As for Generation Z, we will see how they view truth. What do you find interesting about how each of the past generations has viewed truth? How have you seen the understanding of “truth” change during your lifetime? Do you have any concern with the direction of how our culture views truth?
3. There are 3 primary questions that generations have been asking where truth plays a foundational role. These three questions are: (1) Who is God? (2) Who are we? And (3) What is the good life? How we answer these 3 questions matter and have massive ramifications. Why does it matter how we answer these 3 questions? How would you say each generation might answer these questions? How would you answer these questions?
4. At Journey, there are 2 primary pillars that guide our view of truth. The first is that JESUS IS THE WAY (John 14:6). The second is that SCRIPTURE IS THE STANDARD (2 Timothy 3:16-17). What are your thoughts about these 2 pillars that serve as guardrails for truth? How would our culture view these ideas?
Next Steps
Read John 18:38. Pontius Pilate asks a simple question about truth. We believe it’s so key to define where we get our source of truth. Why? Because we believe that truth GUIDES us (Psalm 25:5), CORRECTS us (Proverbs 10:17), and leads us to FREEDOM (John 8:31-32). What is one next step you need to take to either define your source of truth, or to live out the truth you believe?