study guide for July 20 anger

Study Guide for July 20 2011


Matthew 5:21-26

21 You have heard that the ancients were told, “ you shall not commit murder” and “ whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.”
22 But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, “you good for nothing” shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says “ you fool” shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell.
23 Therefore, if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you,
24 Leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
25 Make friends quickly with your opponent at law while you are with him on the way, so that your opponent may not hand you over to the judge and the judge to the officer, and you be thrown in prison.
26 Truly I say to you, you will not come out of there until you have paid up the last cent.




What are the top 5 things that make you angry ?




Is anger a sin ? ( explain)



How does God’s sovereignty relate to our anger issues ?



Why is it hard to obey Romans 12:17-21 ?






5. “ What gives so much force to the impulse of anger is the overwhelming sense that the offender does not deserve forgiveness. That is, the grievance is so deep and so justifiable ( in our minds) that not only does self righteousness strengthen our indignation, but so does a legitimate sense of moral outrage. It’s the deep sense of legitimacy that gives our bitterness its unbending compulsion. We feel that a great crime would be committed if the magnitude of the evil we’ve experienced were just dropped and we let bygones by bygones. We are torn: our moral sense says this evil cannot be ignored and the word of God says we must forgive.” ( Faith in Future Grace page 265)



Do you agree with this author ? why or why not ?



6. Do you remember the last time you had to initiate a conversation where you apologized ? what happened ?



Why is Jesus concerned that apologies and reconciliation happen quickly ?




How does Ephesians 4:32 relate to this discussion ?




9. There is a cultural saying: “ time heals all wounds.” Do you agree with this ? why or why not ?



10. Have you ever been falsely accused ? How did you handle it ?



11. What is the most effective way to deal with sinful anger ? ( from your experience)


12. For further study: I John 4:19-21