What Is Truth?
Sunday, April 26, 2026
Big Idea
Everyone believes something. The real question is whether what you believe corresponds to what's real.
Hook — Comfortable Lie or Uncomfortable Truth?
Reference Inside Out: Riley moves to a new city and tries to pretend everything is fine. She hides her sadness, pushes away her old life, and creates a perfect fake version of herself. But it falls apart. She has to face the truth before she can be whole. Ask: "Would you rather live in a fake 'everything's fine' world, or face the truth — even if it's uncomfortable?"
Pivot: "Every time you ask 'is this real?' or 'is this actually okay?' you're already choosing truth over the fake. Today we talk about where that leads."
Scripture — John 14:6 and John 18:37-38
John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
John 18:37-38
"You are a king, then!" said Pilate. Jesus answered, "You say that I am a king. In fact, the reason I was born and came into the world is to testify to the truth. Everyone on the side of truth listens to me." "What is truth?" retorted Pilate.
- John 14:6 — "I am the way, the truth, and the life." Jesus doesn't say "I point to truth." He says "I AM truth." Outrageous claim. Either true or lunacy.
- John 18:37-38 — Pilate asks "What is truth?" and walks away before hearing the answer. Is that what most people do — ask big questions but never wait for answers?
Connect to worldview: everyone has one. A worldview is "what you believe is real." Materialists believe only physical stuff is real. Relativists believe truth is personal. Christians believe truth is a person.
Connect — Two Lies and a Truth (TikTok's Lying Challenge)
The "Lying Challenge" has been blowing up on TikTok — couples, friends, even families sit with a divider between them and take turns holding an object behind it. You give clues about what you're holding... but you can either lie or tell the truth. The other person has to guess. Millions of views, and half the fun is watching people get fooled by someone they thought they could trust.
Pivot deeper: This year there's been a huge conversation on TikTok about something people are calling the "fake authenticity" trend — where everyone's trying to look effortless, real, and raw online, but it's all curated. A writer called it the "nonchalant epidemic": an obsession with appearing like you don't care, which is itself a performance. The same platform where millions watch the Lying Challenge every week is also full of people performing "authenticity" that isn't real.
Connect to The Emperor's New Clothes — everyone agrees the emperor is wearing clothes because no one wants to admit they don't see anything. A child says "he's not wearing anything!" On TikTok, the comments section does the same thing when someone's obvious lie or fake vibe gets called out. The question underneath all of it: What's actually true? And would you recognize it if you saw it?
Land the Plane
"Jesus claimed to BE truth. Christianity isn't just ideas you pick and choose from. It's a claim on reality. Life is choices, choices depend on your beliefs — it MATTERS what you believe. You don't evaluate it from the outside — you step inside it and see if it's true."
Discussion Questions
- What's something everyone believes that you're not sure about?
- Why do people ask big questions but not stick around for answers?
- Think about your TikTok or social media feed — can you spot something that looks "authentic" but feels performed? What makes you suspicious?
- If Christianity is true, what would that mean for how you live this week?
Handout
One Thing to Remember: Truth isn't just an idea — it's a person. Jesus claimed to BE truth.
The Big Question
Pilate asked Jesus: "What is truth?" Then he walked away before hearing the answer. Why do you think people do that — ask big questions but don't wait for answers?
Exercise: Articulate Your Worldview
Everyone has a worldview — a set of beliefs about what's real. Most people have never written theirs down. Do it now.
"I believe that _____ because _____"
Now the hard part: what would it take to PROVE your worldview wrong? What evidence would make you change your mind?
Here's the thing: Life is choices, and choices depend on your beliefs. It MATTERS what you believe — not just as an opinion you hold, but as the thing that actually shapes the decisions you make every day.
Exercise: Two Lies and a Truth
The "Lying Challenge" has been everywhere on TikTok lately — people sit behind a divider, hold up an object, and either lie or tell the truth about what it is. The other person has to guess. Millions of views.
But here's the deeper thing: this year there's also been a huge conversation on TikTok about "fake authenticity" — people trying to look raw and real online, but it's all curated. Someone called it the "nonchalant epidemic": performing like you don't care, which is itself a performance.
Think about your own feed. Can you spot something that looks "authentic" but feels off? Where in YOUR life are you performing authenticity — acting like something is fine when it isn't?
Exercise: Comfortable Lie or Uncomfortable Truth?
In Inside Out, Riley tries to pretend everything is fine. She hides her real feelings and builds a fake "happy" version of herself. If you could know the truth about God — even if it was uncomfortable and changed how you live — would you want to? Why or why not?
This Week's Challenge
Ask one person this week: "What do you think happens after we die?" Listen without arguing. Write down exactly what they said and bring it next week.
Scripture for Next Week
Read Psalm 139:1-18 and Matthew 6:9-13
Come with one note and one question.
Reflection Guide
Core Question for Reflection
"Comfortable lie or uncomfortable truth?"
In Inside Out, Riley tries to live in a fake "everything's fine" world. She hides her sadness and pushes away her real feelings. But it all falls apart — and she only starts to heal when she faces the truth.
The question for this week: What do you believe is real?
Questions to Help You Dig Deeper
- The Hard Choice: Truth or Comfort? — Would you rather know the truth about your life — even if it's uncomfortable — or stay in a comfortable "everything's fine" bubble?
- What's Everyone Believing That You're Not Sure About? — Think of something that "everyone believes" — but you're not convinced is true.
- Why Do People Ask Big Questions But Not Stick Around for Answers? — Pilate asked "What is truth?" and then walked away. Are you guilty of this?
- If Christianity Is True, What Would That Mean? — If Jesus actually is the truth, what changes for how you spend your time, who you trust, what you're afraid of, how you treat people?
Personal Application
Choose ONE concrete action:
- Read John 14:6 and John 18:37-38 slowly. Every time you see the word "truth," stop and ask: "What does Jesus mean by this?"
- Ask someone, "What do you think is real?" Listen without arguing.
- Identify one area of your life where you're living by a belief that might not be true
- Watch Inside Out and pay attention to the moment Riley stops pretending and faces how she really feels
Journal Prompt
Write down the most important thing you've ever believed to be true — even if no one else knows it. Now ask yourself: Is that still true? Or has God shown you something new?