Week of February 9
Exodus 20:13
OPENER
- What kinds of people do you usually try to avoid? What happens if you are around that kind of person?
DISCUSSION
- Read Genesis 9:5-6. Why does God value human life? What makes it difficult for us to value people the same way?
- Read Matthew 5:21–22. Jesus says we’re all guilty in our hearts of murder when we hold on to anger toward our brother or sister. Why is it often difficult to release our anger?
- Why do you think we tend to overlook or minimize anger?
- Have you held on to anger toward someone for an extended amount of time? What was the cause of that anger?
- Jesus is saying that we can’t just dismiss people out of our lives because we don’t value them. Have you every struggled with the temptation to “cancel” someone from your life?
- Read Matthew 5:23–24. In this passage, Jesus gives us a picture of what it looks like to live out the gospel. What could it look like for you to make peace with people in your life?
- Jesus says our relationship with others affects our relationship with God. In what ways have you seen your relationship with others affect your relationship with God? How has your view of God been shaped by your relationship with others?
ACTION STEP
- Who in your life do you need to make peace with this week? How do you need to forgive or ask for forgiveness?