Sermon Notes & Questions 6-4-23
June 4, 2023

Murder, Anger, Insult, & Reconciliation

Matt. 5:21-24

What the Bible says about Anger
- Being angry makes you subject to judgment. (Matthew 5:22)
- Be slow to anger. (Proverbs 14:29, 16:32, Ecclesiastes 7:9)
- Hold your anger in check. (Proverbs 29:11)
- Anger does not produce the righteousness of God. (James 1:19-20)
- Jesus was angry in rare circumstances for specific reasons, but anger was not a daily experience for Jesus. (John 2:13-17)

What Jesus means by calling someone “Fool” or “Raca” (Matthew. 5:22)
Calling someone “Raca” means treating someone with an attitude of dismissiveness and contempt.

Potential Reconciliation process
1. Go talk to them.
2. Assume the best.
3. Listen.
4. Apologize.
5. Be humble, but direct.
6. Work on a solution.
7. Love them anyway.

Jesus made Himself a “Raca” on the cross so that we could become sons and daughters. (Phil. 2:7-8)

T.A.G Questions (try these with new friends you meet after our service is done)

Icebreaker: How full is your anger “cup” right now? Why?
How has God helped to fill your patience “cup” in the past?
With whom do you need to reconcile this week? Pray for one another.

Discussion Questions

  1. Ice-Breaker Question: What are some of your biggest pet peeves, and why?
  2. Head Question: Read Matt. 5:21-24. Is there anything Jesus says here you find difficult or surprising? Is there anything that stood out to you from the Sunday message?
  3. Heart Question: Out of three things Jesus addresses in this passage (anger, contempt, and an unwillingness to reconcile), which do you struggle with the most, and why?
  4. Hands Question: If Jesus were sitting next to you right now, and you asked Him how you should apply this passage to something specific in your life right now, what is your best guess as to what He might say?
  5. Gospel Encouragement: Read Phil. 2:7-8. Rejoice in prayer on the truth that Jesus became a “Raca” for us. He made Himself disposable so that we would become worthy. Rejoice in the grace that He lavishes over us, asking Him to help us extend that same grace.

Note to group leaders

Sometimes, like this week, it’s helpful to orient good discussion questions around these three areas:
1. Head (Understanding)
2. Heart (Feeling, Motivation)
3. Hands (Application)

Group Leader Tips

  • Pray for your group before and after you meet. Prayerfully work through the questions and bible passage yourself before you meet.
  • At the beginning of your first time together, explain that these groups are meant to be discussions not lectures. Encourage the members of the group to participate. However, do not put pressure on those who may be hesitant to speak during the first few sessions.
  • Avoid answering your own questions. However, leaders may set the tone by occasionally sharing their own answers without dominating the time or the discussion.
  • Learn to accept silence in the group while they process your questions.
  • Appropriately call upon quieter members when they seem to have something to share.
  • Acknowledge and thank group members for their sharing. Redirect the group if they get off-topic too much.
  • Don’t be afraid of controversy. It can be very stimulating. If you don’t resolve an issue completely, don’t be frustrated. Move on and keep it in mind for later. A subsequent study may solve the problem.
  • You may need to divide the group into smaller subsets (men, women, pairs, etc.) to help the time and participation to flow.
  • If possible, the group host should not also be the group shepherd/facilitator. This helps the group to eventually multiply as it grows larger.
  • Look for ways to share the tasks in the group to help build a healthy discipleship culture. Look for the persons God may be leading to serve as apprentice hosts or shepherds.