Contracts and Keeping Your Word

What You Will Learn

• Explain why written agreements protect everyone
• Identify the parts of a simple agreement
• Recognize red-flag terms and know when to get help
• Keep promises and renegotiate honestly when you cannot

Lesson Notes

Your Word Is Your Bond

Let yes mean yes (Matthew 5:37). Psalm 15:4 honors the one who sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not: she keeps her word even when it costs her. A reputation for reliability starts small: being on time, delivering what you promised, calling back when you said.

Why Put It in Writing?

A written agreement is not distrust; it makes sure both people understand the same thing. Memories fade. Writing protects friendships as well as businesses. Some agreements are simple (a quote or order form); some are serious (leases, loans, partnerships).

Parts of a Simple Agreement

• Who: each party's name. What: the product or service.
• When: dates and deadlines. How much: price, deposit, due date.
• What if: cancellations, refunds, changes, late payment.
• Signatures and date.

Read every word. Ask: What am I promising? What if I cannot do it? How do I get out? If you do not understand, do not sign yet. For leases, loans, and partnerships, ask legal aid or a small business center to review it.

When You Cannot Keep a Promise

Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay (Ecclesiastes 5:5). Promise carefully. When you truly cannot deliver, tell the person early, take responsibility, offer a fair solution, and put the new agreement in writing. Disappearing is never the answer.

Key Terms

In-Class Activities

Read the Fine Print

On the sample service agreement, underline the who, what, when, how much, and what-if. Circle unclear or unfair terms and write the question you would ask before signing.

The Hard Phone Call

Role-play: you promised 50 cupcakes for Saturday, but your oven broke Thursday. Call the customer, take responsibility, and offer a fair solution. Write the follow-up note confirming the new plan.

Assignment: Write a Simple Agreement

Write a one-page agreement for a small job (weekly house cleaning, catering a church dinner, or ten custom t-shirts).

• Include all six parts and a fair cancellation and refund term.
• Add three questions you would ask before signing someone else's agreement, and who you could ask for help.

Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.

Reflection Journal

Think about promises made to you that were broken, and promises you have broken. What would it take for people to say of you, ‘Her word is good’?

Prayer focus: Ask God to make you a woman of your word, careful in what you promise and faithful in what you keep.

When Yes Means Yes

In a world of fine print and broken promises, a woman whose word can be trusted stands out. Jesus said simply: let your yes be yes and your no be no. No exaggeration, no hidden escape hatches.

Writing an agreement down is not an insult. It is a gift to both people, because memories fade and assumptions differ. A simple page with who, what, when, how much, and what-if can save a friendship and a business.

Reading before signing is part of keeping your word. You cannot keep a promise you did not understand. When an agreement is serious, like a lease or a loan, take time and ask someone qualified to look at it. Pressure to ‘sign now’ is a warning, not an opportunity.

And when life happens and you cannot deliver, do not disappear. Call early, own it, offer a fair solution, and write down the new plan. People often remember how you handled a broken promise longer than the promise itself.

Think About It

1. Which promise has been hardest for you to keep? ______________________
2. Who could you ask to review an important agreement? ______________________
3. How do you want to handle it when you cannot keep your word? ______________________

Daily Devotions for Week 5

Yea and Nay

But let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.— James 5:12 (KJV)

Simple, honest words build trust that clever words cannot.

Reflect: Where do you overpromise?

Pray: Lord, let my yes be yes.

Do: Say no kindly to one thing you cannot do well.

Changeth Not

He that sweareth to his own hurt, and changeth not.— Psalm 15:4 (KJV)

Keeping your word when it costs you shows real character.

Reflect: When has keeping your word cost you?

Pray: Lord, make me faithful to my word.

Do: Keep one small promise exactly as you made it.

Count the Cost

For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?— Luke 14:28 (KJV)

Wise builders plan before they promise.

Reflect: What do you need to count before committing?

Pray: Lord, give me wisdom before I commit.

Do: Write the full cost of one goal you have.

Ask Counsel First

And the men took of their victuals, and asked not counsel at the mouth of the LORD.— Joshua 9:14 (KJV)

Israel made a binding agreement without asking God. Pray before you sign.

Reflect: What decision needs prayer before action?

Pray: Lord, I will ask You first.

Do: Pray over one decision before making it.

Many Counsellors

Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.— Proverbs 15:22 (KJV)

Good advice protects good plans.

Reflect: Who are your wise counsellors?

Pray: Lord, send me wise counsel.

Do: Write the names or roles of three people you could ask for advice.