Welcome to The Breakdown, the weekly podcast designed for growth group leaders at ⁠⁠⁠⁠Soteria Church⁠⁠⁠⁠ in West Des Moines, IA. Each week, we provide time-sensitive announcements to keep you in the loop and walk through the sermon study to help you lead meaningful discussions. Whether you're preparing for your next group meeting or looking to deepen your own understanding, The Breakdown is your go-to resource. Tune in and stay connected!

REFLECT

How did this week’s sermon expand your understanding of anger?
Often, we excuse ourselves of anger by using words like “upset” or “disappointed.” What are other words we use to describe our anger?


ENCOUNTER
In Matthew 5, Jesus preaches the famous Sermon on the Mount. In the sermon, Jesus addresses the sin of anger. But rather than defining anger and condemning it, Jesus equates anger with murder.
Read Matthew 5:21–24 and allow Jesus’ words against anger begin to soak in.

Matthew 5:21–22, Jesus says that anger expressed through insult and slander deserve the same eternal judgment as murder. What are the similarities between anger and murder that leads Jesus to this conclusion?
What scenario does Jesus give to the listening Jews in Matthew 5:23–24?
Because Christ was sacrificed on the cross, we no longer have to offer sacrifices to worship God. If Jesus preached Matthew 5:23–24 to believing Christians, what scenario could he have used instead?
How does Matthew 5:23–24 relate to verses 21–22?


TRANSFORM
By comparing anger, murder, insult, slander, and the breaking of a relationship, Jesus shows that we can’t excuse our anger simply by calling it something else. Whatever word we use for it–irritation, annoyance, etc.–it is still anger.

Describe an instance when you were angry over the past week. How did you fight against it?
Anger is reactive. What situations coming up over the next week do you anticipate a struggle with anger?

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