The Heart of Integrity
Pastor David Jones Awaken Church NZ
Sunday Morning’s Message – 11th October 2026
The Heart of Integrity explores Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 5:33–37, challenging us to live with honesty and consistency so that our “Yes” means yes and our “No” means no. Through biblical examples and the transforming grace of Jesus, we are encouraged to take responsibility for our words and actions, grow in Christlike character, and live in a way that honors God and brings glory to His name
Leader Guide:
Please choose what best suits your group and fits the time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Create your own questions that fit your group. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Make sure you include the closing thought.
Have fun, Jesus people!
Connect group Discussion
Read together Matthew 5:33–37
1. Opening Discussion — Can People Trust Our Word?
The Sermon on the Mount is Jesus getting under the hood of our lives. He challenges not only what we do, but also the attitudes, motives and character behind our actions.
We live in a world where trust is often fragile. People can exaggerate, make promises they don't keep, and say whatever is necessary to protect their reputation.
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
Have you ever experienced a situation where someone broke your trust? What impact did it have on your relationship with them?
Leader note: Encourage people to share at a comfortable level. The aim is not to expose others' failures, but to explore how trust and integrity shape our lives.
2. “Yes” should mean yes and our “No” should mean no.
Jesus teaches that our “Yes” should mean yes and our “No” should mean no. He calls His followers to a life of such honesty and integrity that their words can be trusted without needing extra promises or dramatic assurances.
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
What stands out to you most from Jesus' teaching in these verses?
What do you think Jesus meant when He said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No’”?
Why might someone feel the need to say, “I swear to God,” or “I swear on my children's lives,” to convince someone they are telling the truth?
What is the difference between simply telling the truth and living a life characterized by truth?
Jesus says that whatever goes beyond a simple yes or no is “from the evil one.” What does this strong statement teach us about the seriousness of dishonesty and deception?
Key thought: Jesus is calling us to more than avoiding lies. He wants our words, actions and inner character to reflect the truth of who He is.
3. Integrity Is Built Through Everyday Choices
In Jesus' day, some people used different kinds of oaths to make their promises appear more trustworthy. Instead of being truthful in every circumstance, they created different levels of commitment depending on what they swore by.
Jesus cuts through this system. Our integrity should not depend on how strongly we make a promise, but on whether our character can be trusted.
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
Have you ever agreed to something you knew you probably wouldn't follow through on? What influenced your decision?
Why is it sometimes difficult to say “no” honestly rather than say “yes” to please someone?
How can we practise integrity in our families, friendships, workplaces, churches and online interactions?
What should we do when we realise we have made a promise we cannot keep?
Practical challenge: Before making a commitment this week, pause and ask yourself:
Can I genuinely follow through on this?
Am I saying yes because it is right, or because I want to please someone?
Will my actions match my words?
4. Biblical Examples — When Character Speaks for Itself
Samuel: A life of credibility
Read 1 Samuel 12:3–5.
At the end of his leadership, Samuel invited the people of Israel to testify against him. Had he cheated anyone, oppressed anyone or accepted a bribe? The people affirmed that he had not.
Samuel's life had established the credibility of his words.
Discuss:
What impresses you about Samuel's willingness to let the people examine his life?
Why do you think consistent integrity over time is more powerful than making impressive promises?
If people who know you best were asked about your honesty, how do you think they would respond?
What kind of legacy do you want to leave with your family, friends and church community?
Ananias and Sapphira: When appearances replace integrity
Read Acts 5:1–11.
Ananias and Sapphira wanted to appear more generous than they really were. Their sin was not that they kept some of the money, but that they deliberately lied about their gift.
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
What are some ways Christians can be tempted to appear more spiritual, generous or mature than they really are?
How can we create a church community where people can be honest about their struggles without pretending to have everything together?
What is the difference between genuine spiritual growth and simply maintaining a good Christian image?
Key thought: God is not asking us to appear more generous, more spiritual or more honest than we really are. He calls us to live truthfully before Him.
Daniel: Integrity under pressure
Read Daniel 6:3–5.
Daniel's enemies searched for grounds to accuse him, but they could find no corruption or negligence in his work. His commitment to God remained steady even when doing the right thing put his life at risk.
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
What do you admire about Daniel's integrity?
Why can it be especially difficult to maintain integrity when there is pressure to compromise?
How can we remain faithful to our convictions when honesty might cost us popularity, opportunities or personal advantage?
What habits help us develop integrity before we face a major test?
Key thought: When your character is trustworthy, your words don't need an oath to give them weight.
5. The Gospel — How Do We Become People of Integrity?
Living with integrity sounds simple, but we all know we fall short. We have all made excuses, avoided difficult conversations, exaggerated, broken commitments or failed to do what we knew was right.
The good news is that Jesus does not leave us in our failure. Through His grace, He forgives us and transforms us from the inside out.
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
Choose one or two questions to discuss:
What is the difference between trying harder to be a good person and allowing Jesus to transform our hearts?
Why is repentance an essential part of growing in integrity?
When we have been dishonest with someone, what might repentance, forgiveness and making things right look like?
What role do the Holy Spirit, prayer, Scripture and Christian community play in shaping our character?
Key thought: The saving grace of Jesus doesn't just forgive who we have been; His transforming power changes who we are becoming.
Integrity is not about pretending we never fail. It is about bringing our failures into the light, receiving God's grace, taking responsibility and allowing Him to change us.
6. Put into Practice
Take a moment to reflect quietly before sharing.
Personal reflection questions:
Is there an area of my life where I need to become more truthful or consistent?
Is there a broken promise, unresolved conversation or mistake I need to take responsibility for?
Am I more concerned about appearing trustworthy than actually being trustworthy?
What is one practical step I can take this week to grow in integrity?
Invite each person to share one practical step, if they feel comfortable.
Closing Prayer
Invite the group to pray together.
Final Takeaway
A life of integrity means your character speaks before your words do.
This week, let your “Yes” be “Yes” and your “No” be “No.” Live in such a way that people can see the faithfulness of Jesus through the way you speak, act and treat others
