Anger, Contempt, and Repair
Matthew 5:21–26
👉 START HERE (Choose 1–2 questions)
These questions are designed to get everyone talking quickly. You do not need to answer all of them. Pick one that feels most alive at your table and start there.
- When you hear that Jesus addresses anger before murder, what surprises you about that?
- What part of tonight’s teaching felt most personal or uncomfortable — and why?
- When you think about anger in your own life, does it show up more as irritation, withdrawal, sarcasm, silence, or something else?
- The message said, “What we do with anger determines the kind of people we become.” What does that stir in you?
🔎 GO DEEPER (Choose 1–2 if time allows)
These questions are for tables that want to explore the ideas more fully. Feel free to skip or jump around.
- Jesus moves the conversation “upstream” from behavior to the heart. Why do you think He does that?
- Where do you notice anger settling in your life before you even realize it?
- The teaching described contempt as writing someone off internally. Have you ever experienced that — either giving it or receiving it?
- Why do you think contempt is so corrosive to relationships?
- Jesus says reconciliation takes priority over religious performance. What feels challenging about that?
- What usually keeps you from initiating repair — pride, fear, awkwardness, uncertainty, something else?
🚶 NEXT STEP (Choose 1 before you end)
These questions help move the conversation toward action, not perfection.
- Is there a relationship where you sense unresolved tension right now?
- What would one small step toward repair look like this week?
- If reconciliation feels too big, what would honesty look like as a first step?
- Would anyone like prayer for a relationship that feels heavy or unresolved?
Note
This topic may surface real hurt. Stay calm. Don’t rush to solutions.
If the room gets quiet, that’s okay.
If someone gets emotional, that’s okay.
Aim for honesty, not fixing.
Let courage set the pace.
