10: Part 6 - 'Anger Management'

This Sunday, Rob Lea brings us the talk in the latest of our EBC Online services. Once you have watched the video, we encourage you to reflect on the bible text and join us in the prayer that follows below.

To listen to the talk click here.
 
Readings:

Exodus chapter 20 verses 1 - 13

And God spoke all these words: “I am the Lord your God, who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery. You shall have no other gods before me.
You shall not make for yourself an image in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, but showing love to a thousand generations of those who love me and keep my commandments.
You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God, for the Lord will not hold anyone guiltless who misuses his name.
Remember the Sabbath day by keeping it holy. Six days you shall labour and do all your work, but the seventh day is a sabbath to the Lord your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your male or female servant, nor your animals, nor any foreigner residing in your towns. For in six days the Lord made the heavens and the earth, the sea, and all that is in them, but he rested on the seventh day. Therefore, the Lord blessed the Sabbath day and made it holy.
Honour your father and your mother, so that you may live long in the land the Lord your God is giving you.
You shall not murder.”

Matthew chapter 5 verses 21 - 22

“You have heard that it was said to the people of long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgement.’  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgement. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, “Raca,” is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell.”

Genesis chapter 9 verses 5b - 6
‘I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being. “Whoever sheds human blood, by humans shall their blood be shed; for in the image of God has God made mankind.”



 

Prayer & Reflection

Lord God, thank you for your unconditional love, and for seeing each one of us as special, unique and of great value. Please forgive us for getting angry with others and for not seeing them as you see them, made in your image. And Lord, as you forgive us, help us to forgive those who cause us difficulties, real or imagined.
We pray for gentleness and respect to govern our attitude as we discuss and debate complex, sensitive issues where there is disagreement. Holy Spirit help us to change the way that we understand and appreciate views and opinions that are different to our own.
We ask this in the precious name of Jesus.
 
AMEN




Questions to Consider

1. ‘For in the image of God has God made mankind’ What is your understanding of this bible verse?
2. In what ways does anger cause spiritual damage?
3. What has caused, or would cause, ‘righteous anger’ in you? What did you do, or what would you do, about the situation?
4. Can you think of a time when you got really angry (‘road rage’, frustration, insult, etc.) Looking back now, what do you think was the ‘real’ reason for your anger?
5. Do you think that God really sees all human beings as ‘special, unique and of great value’? Do you?