Helping Students Discover the Truth

At MentorMe we have a goal to have students hear godly teaching. Once a month, I get the privilege to give biblical teaching to our students and mentors. This is a powerful moment to challenge them—giving a clear, practical application they can carry into their everyday lives. One thing we’ve recognized at MentorMe is that many of our students struggle to know what is true. Therefore, we have looked at the truth. John 18:28-38 is a passage where we see someone else wrestle with the question of what truth is. I would encourage you to explore the entire passage, but in verse 37b-38 it says this,

“For this cause I was born, and for this cause I have come into the world, that I should bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth hears My voice.” ³⁸ Pilate said to Him, “What is truth?” And when he had said this, he went out again to the Jews, and said to them, “I find no fault in Him at all.

The word of God is the truth.

Another important aspect is that truth is revealed and not created. Jesus says that he is the way, the truth, and the life in John 14:6. It is not something that we invent or change over time. As a group we explored some things that it seems society changes over time. For a long time in our society marriage has been something that has been viewed as a lifelong union between one man and one woman. This definition was seen as a social and moral truth. However now we are seeing society change the meaning of marriage to include same-sex couples, and partners who live together. In 2024 47.1% of American households were headed by married couples. Compared to 1949 78.1% of households were headed by married couples (USAfacts.org). This is a dramatic difference, showing us a change in our society and values. The truth is God desires for marriage to be between a man and a woman, and society does not change truth. Genesis 2:24 says,

This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.

In Matthew 19:4-6, Jesus quotes Genesis 2, “Haven’t you read the Scriptures?” Jesus replied. “They record that from the beginning ‘God made them male and female.’^[a]” ⁵ And he said, “‘This explains why a man leaves his father and mother and is joined to his wife, and the two are united into one.’^[b] 6 Since they are no longer two but one, let no one split apart what God has joined together.” 

Why should we trust the Bible?  

God doesn’t call us to blind faith—He invites us to examine His truth, just like the Bereans in the Bible who searched the Scriptures daily. With over 300 fulfilled prophecies about Jesus, historical and archaeological support, and a unified message across centuries, the Bible proves itself trustworthy—showing that in a world asking “What is truth?”, God has already spoken and His Word stands firm. The movie The Case for Christ, which we watched at MentorMe, follows Lee Strobel, a journalist at the Chicago Tribune who began as an atheist and set out to disprove Christianity using investigative journalism. Through his research and interviews with experts, he ultimately became convinced that the claims of the Bible were credible and true.

            In the story we can see the internal struggle that Pilate has with the truth. Pilate has the truth standing in front of him, and he even recognized Jesus’ innocence. He said, “I find no fault in him at all."  This shows us that exposure to the truth doesn’t form character or conviction. Ultimately Pilate made the wrong decision, but I can’t help but wonder what we would do if we were in his situation. Tons of people were shouting at him, trying to get a different outcome than what Pilate was advocating for. I think of times in my life I gave into peer pressure, whether it was drinking, participating in gossip, or other things. In these moments, we are choosing convenience over conviction.

            Being in God’s word daily can help prepare us for the circumstances life throws at us. For example, when someone is facing peer pressure to drink, they can turn to the word of God which tells us in Ephesians 5:18, “Do not get drunk on wine, but instead be filled with the spirit” When we feel pressured to lie, we can turn to the word of God which says, The Lord detests lying lips, but he delights in people who are trustworthy.” (Proverbs 12:22). Our truth is not determined when crisis comes, but rather whats already insides of us is revealed. The challenge given to the MentorMe students is a good challenge for all of us to practice. Read the Bible every day for at least five minutes, 7 days a week. This might feel like an easy challenge, but to some this may feel difficult. Ultimately, it will prove to be beneficial for each of us. Additionally, when you are confused about something you are reading, asking questions from someone like a pastor, someone at your church, family, or researching from the widely available commentaries is extremely helpful.

In a world asking what is truth? God has already spoken truth, preserved it in his word, proven it trustworthy, and calls us to stand on it.  

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