Review:  Did you take time this week to read through all or part of Paul's letter to the Romans?  Granted, there's SO MUCH there, but did anything in particular stand out to you?  

We've talked often since beginning the Sermon on the Mount about coming back to two basic questions.  Take a moment and reflect on them and then, if you're in a Life Group, discuss your responses:

1. What is the Holy Spirit saying to me?

2. Where is He calling me to obedience?

Take a moment in prayer, welcoming the Spirit's presence.  Then read through the passage Josh spoke on this week – Mt. 5:21-26.  Having heard the story of Josh's transformation, talk about the difference between becoming a new creation by faith in Jesus and mere behavior modification.​

 Josh said that "anger was made by God."  How does this affect the way you think about anger (your own or others')?  How would you explain righteous anger vs unrighteous anger? (You might want to consider passages like these:  Exodus 34:6 and 32:8-10; Mt. 21:12-17; and Colossians 3:8 in addition to this Matthew passage.)

 What do 1 Samuel 15:22 and Psalm 119:60 have to say about how we approach an appropriate response to our anger?

A healthy approach to anger in our lives does not mean we ignore or pretend that we're not angry.  How can you order your heart and life in such a way that you deal with anger without sinning?

Consider reading one or more of the following passages and discussing them with each other:

• Psalm 37:8 Refrain from anger

• Proverbs 19:11 Overlooking offenses rather than acting in haste 

• Proverbs 22:24–25 No friendship with a man given to anger

• Proverbs 29:11 Uncontrolled anger is associated with folly 

• Ephesians 4:26 Urges quick resolution

• Ephesians 6:4 Do not provoke your children to anger

• James 1:19–20 Quick to listen and slow to speak to avoid sin 

• Hebrews 12:15 Bitter root grows up to cause trouble

• 1 John 3:15 Everyone who hates his brother is a murderer

This week, take a serious, reflective moment and pray for someone you have an issue with.  Resolve on one step you can take today to make a movement toward reconciliation with that person.  (Simply letting go of bitterness or praying for their well-being may be great first steps, but if you actually believe you need to reach out, do so quickly before you have a chance to talk yourself out of it!)