Murder and Anger

Student’s Guide

Quick links in this study:

Discussion Questions: “Murder and Anger”

            Murder – In danger of the judgment: (Have someone read the outlined in purple)

1.      Who are “those of old?” ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

2.      Where in the Bible does it say you shall not murder?  _____________________________________________________________________

3.      What is the difference between kill and murder? __________________________________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

4.      What is the judgment of murder? ______________________________________________________________________________________

Jesus’ interpretation of “Murder” (have someone read the outlined verse in black Matthew 5:22)

5.      What does Jesus compare murder to?  ____________________________________________________________________________________

6.      What is the difference between being “in danger of the judgment to murder” and being “in danger of the judgment to anger with his brother without a cause?”  ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

7.      What does “raca” mean?  ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

8.      Does “brother” specifically mean just your brother?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________

9.      Does Jesus consider the word “Fool” a swear word, will and you be condemned to the hell of fire?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

10. What is the hellfire?   ________________________________________________

Reconcile before worshiping (have someone read the outlined verse in grey Matthew 5:23-24.)

11. What does the gift represent when you bring it to the altar?  __________________________________________________________________

12. Who is responsible for taking the initiative in reconciliation? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

13. Why does Jesus want you to leave your gift at the altar before you reconcile with your brother? ______________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

14. Have someone read Romans 12:18. Both verses emphasize responsibility in making peace.  Why do you think restoring relationships is so important to God? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

15. What if you and your brother are not able to reconcile your differences?  This is not an exhaustive list; however, what steps do you need to ensure you have met what Jesus is telling you to do?

a.      _____________________________________________________________

b.     _____________________________________________________________

c.      _____________________________________________________________

d.     _____________________________________________________________

Jesus challenges His listeners (Have someone read the outlined verse in red Luke 12:57.)

16. In Luke 12:57, what does Jesus challenge His listeners to do?  _____________________________________________________________________________________

Consequences of not reconciling. (have someone read the outlined verses in green, Matthew 5:25 and Luke 12:58.)

17. What could happen if you do not reconcile and are taken to court?  ________________________________________________________________________________

18. What does Jesus tell them to do with their accuser on the way to court?  __________________________________________________________________________

19. Who might the judge turn the person over to?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

20. What is the final consequence spoken of?  ________________________________________________________________________________________________________

21. As Jesus is teaching the crowd the earthly meaning, how could this be interrupted from a spiritual perspective? ________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Getting out of prison. (Have someone read the outlined verses in blue, Matthew 5:26 and Luke 12:59.)

22.  What is a mite? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

23.  What does Jesus say you will not get out of prison until what? ______________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

The First Recorded Murder

The act of offering. (Have someone read the outlined verses in blue, Genesis 4:1-4.)

24. What is the difference between the offerings of Cain and Abel? ____________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Offering rejected. (Have someone read the outlined verse in red, Genesis 4:5.)

25. Why did God reject Cain’s offering? _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

God offers counsel to Cain’s offering. (Have someone read the outlined verses in green, Genesis 4:6-7.)

26. How does God consult Cain? _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ __________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cain murders his brother. (Have someone read the outlined verse in black, Genesis 4:8.)

27. Where did Cain take Abel before killing him?  _______________________________________________________________________________________________________

28. Why did Cain kill his brother Abel? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cain deflects accountability. (Have someone read the outlined verse in purple, Genesis 4:9.)

29. God knows where Abel is.  Why did God ask Cain, “Where is Abel, your brother?”  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

30. What is the next sin Cain commits?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Abel’s brood cries out for justice. (Have someone read the outlined verse in orange, Genesis 4:10.)

31. Then the Lord said to Cain, “What have you done?” If God already knows what Cain did, why does God ask this question?  ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

32. How can blood cry out to God from the ground? ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Cain’s punishment for Abel’s murder. (Have someone read the outlined verses in grey, Genesis 4:11-12.)

33. What consequence did God give Cain?  _____________________________________________________________________________________________________________

What sign did God say would happen to the ground because of Cain’s action?  _________________________________________________________________________