Telling the Truth

An assembly from the Culham St Gabriel archive

Suitable for No Key Stage Specified - Church Schools

Aims

To explore the importance of telling the truth.

Preparation and materials

• Prepare a list of occasions when someone might be tempted to tell a lie. For example, they may seek to get themselves out of trouble; to stop themselves getting into trouble; to get away with something that they have done wrong; or to avoid embarrassment.

• If possible, think of an incident when you have told a lie that you can share with the children.

Assembly

1. If you are willing, share with the children an incident that involved you, or someone you know, telling a lie. By doing this, you will help the children understand that everyone can make bad choices!

2. Ask the children to think of reasons why someone might tell a lie. They may suggest some or all of the following.

   - They are scared of being in trouble.
   - They don't want to let someone down.
   - They are scared of what will happen if they tell the truth.
   - They feel frightened about telling the truth.
   - They are embarrassed by the truth.
   - They wish they could change what they did.

3. Ask the children how they think a lie could affect another person.

   Listen to a range of responses.

4. Ask the children if they have ever initially told a lie, but then later told the truth.

   Listen to a range of responses.

   Point out that often, when we tell the truth, we can feel relieved. Even though we might initially get into trouble, at least inside we know that we have done the right thing.

5. Remind the children that we all have choices to make in our lives. We can make good or bad decisions. We have the choice as to whether we should be honest or tell lies. If we have done something that we know is wrong, the best thing we can do is to tell the truth. If we can't face doing that, we may have to face some hard consequences further down the line.

6. The Bible tells us about the importance of honesty. In Proverbs 12.22, it says, 'The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.'

Time for reflection

Sometimes, we tell a lie and we feel bad about it. Rather than worrying about it, we need to tell the truth, face the consequences and move forward. God always wants to forgive us and give us a second chance. Christians believe that Jesus died on the cross so that the wrong things they do can be forgiven and they can have a fresh start.

Prayer
Dear God,
Help me to speak the truth and to live an honest life.
Give me courage to make good choices and turn away from lies.
Help me to ask for forgiveness when I have done wrong.
Help me to forgive others when I have been upset.
Amen.

Song/music

'The journey of life' (Come and Praise, 45)