For those who are reading Respectable Sins, we are now in week 8. How is this book changing you?

I would like to say that I don’t struggle with anger, but I can’t. This week’s book discussion focuses on Chapters 15 and 16 of Respectable Sins. Both of these chapters deal with the sin of anger.

Questions for thought and discussion:

1. Do you agree with Bridges’ observation that anger is often directed toward those we should love most? Why or why not?

2. How would you define anger?

3. How does righteous anger differ from sinful anger?

4. Do other people cause us to feel anger? Why or why not?

5. What are some typical situations in which you feel anger?

6. Bridges’ talks about being “mindful of God” when we are angry. What questions should we ask ourselves when we are dealing with people’s responses toward us? (p. 124) (Read Romans 8:28 and Hebrews 12:4-11)

7. Bridges suggests there are 3 different kinds of anger responses 1) externalize with strong words 2) externalize in subtle ways and 3) internalize with resentment. Which are you? Would you add other types of anger responses to this list?

8. How does he recommend that we handle our anger? (p.125-126)

9. Have you ever had anger toward God? How should we deal with that?

10. Read Ephesians 4:31, Colossians 3:8, and 2 Corinthians 12:20

11. What types of anger develop as the result of unresolved anger? (p. 130-132). Can you give examples?

12. What should be our first defense against allowing anger to linger? (p. 134) How about the second and third defense?

13. What does the parable of the unforgiving servant tells us about forgiveness and holding on to anger? (Matthew 18:21-35)

14. Why should we forgive others the offenses they have done to us?

For this week:

Meditate on this quote from page 137, “The damage to God’s glory by our sin is determined not by the severity of our sin but by the value of God’s glory.”

Is there someone in your life you need to forgive whom you have been harboring anger against?