Review this week's message.
Key Thought: We change the world by changing our hearts.
Key Quote
“God made all of us. And he loves all of us equally.” - Pastor Bil Cornelius
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
- What’s your favorite song right now?
- Are you a dog or a cat person? Why?
- Would you rather go see a live sporting event or a concert this weekend?
- People who rage-quit video games, funny or scary?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
- What does righteous anger look like? How does it look to others?
- How can we use disagreements and conflict to bring people closer together?
- How does our unresolved anger affect our relationship with God? How does it affect those around us?
- Scripture is clear that we do not battle flesh and blood but rather against Satan and his schemes. How does knowing this affect the way we as Christians should respond to conflict?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
- Are you an exploder, imploder, or something else when it comes to anger?
- What are practical ways that you can be a peacemaker in your community?
- When was a time you were angry about something that wasn’t even true? What happened?
- In light of Matthew 5:21-22 (see below), is it ever ok to give in to anger?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, our world needs you now more than ever. We ask, first and foremost, that you search our hearts to get rid of what is displeasing to you, then lead us to lives that honor you in all we do. In your precious name we pray, Amen.
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
- Take the One for One Challenge! What you focus on can influence your thoughts, emotions, and ultimately your life. Every day for the next month, exchange one hour of worldly entertainment for one hour of Godly entertainment. Tell the rest of the group every week what God has led you to binge on.
- Our country is divided, but we are called as Christians to be unified with our brothers and sisters in Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. Take time right now to pray for unity with your LifeGroup, and make this a season where you become closer than ever before.
- Have each person in the LifeGroup share one need they have, a need another group member can meet, then exchange these needs and meet them. Every group member should meet a need and have a need met. Repeat this process and tell other people about it. – this will model what a church family should look like for those in your life who don’t have one of their own.
Scriptures
“You have heard that our ancestors were told, ‘You must not murder. If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment! If you call someone an idiot, you are in danger of being brought before the court. And if you curse someone, you are in danger of the fires of hell. Matthew 5:21-22 NLT
The wrong things the sinful self does are clear: being sexually unfaithful, not being pure, taking part in sexual sins, worshiping gods, doing witchcraft, hating, making trouble, being jealous, being angry, being selfish, making people angry with each other, causing divisions among people, feeling envy, being drunk, having wild and wasteful parties, and doing other things like these. I warn you now as I warned you before: Those who do these things will not inherit God’s kingdom. Galatians 5:19 NLT
The whole law is made complete in this one command: “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” If you go on hurting each other and tearing each other apart, be careful, or you will completely destroy each other. Galatians 5:14-15 NCV
“In your anger do not sin…” Ephesians 4:26 NIV
Go ahead and be angry. You do well to be angry—but don’t use your anger as fuel for revenge. And don’t stay angry. Don’t go to bed angry. Don’t give the Devil that kind of foothold in your life. Ephesians 4:26 MSG
Even fools are thought wise when they keep silent; with their mouths shut, they seem intelligent. Proverbs 17:28 NLT
Fools vent their anger, but the wise quietly hold it back. Proverbs 29:11 NLT
“Step out of the traffic! Take a long, loving look at me, your High God, above politics, above everything.” Psalm 46:10 MSG