Welcome
Unoffendable Session 4 – What about Injustice?
◼ Aren’t there things we are supposed to be mad about?
◼ Discuss:
o “I believe we can address injustice much better without [anger].” What do you think about this statement?
o What is a key insight or takeaway from last week’s session?
o What are some ideas or images that come to your mind when you hear the word justice. Explain your response.
Video (Feel free to take notes)
◼ What about injustice? This is a fundamental question that we must ask when it comes to considering this idea of being unoffendable.
o Are we supposed to get angry about injustice? Biblically, the answer is no. What we’re supposed to do is actually do something about it.
o The examples of Dietrich Bonhoeffer and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. reveal that it is better for us to respond to injustice with a clear head rather than being clouded with anger.
o We don’t want those responsible for administering justice in our society to be clouded by anger. As Dallas Willard said, “Whatever you can do with anger, you can do better without it.”
Notes:
◼ Anger does not lead to action about injustice but to inaction.
o We call our anger “righteous” because it always seems righteous to us. We rationalize that if we are really angry we must be really righteous, because our anger is righteous!
o Our culture has made this error. Studies show that posts on social media that are inspiring and profound get few likes. But if you affirm someone else’s anger…bam, it retweets and is off.
o Other studies show that the people who tweet the most about an issue are the least likely to give to that issue. They believe that expressing outrage is actually doing something about it.
Notes:
◼ There is a way to stand up for injustice without giving in to anger.
o Letting go of anger doesn’t mean we roll over or refuse to fight. It just means that we refuse to be driven by anger in that fight.
o The story about Brant “crashing” the press conference reveals that you can stand up for injustice without becoming clouded by rage.
o But if we think our anger is righteous, we not only suffer physiologically, but can easily get deluded into believing we are taking action about an injustice.
Notes:
◼ There is also a way to forgive others while still standing up for justice.
o When we forgive others, we demonstrate our trust in God’s justice. However, this is not to minimize, mitigate or excuse what the other person has done to us.
o The story of Sokreaksa Himm demonstrates that we can extend forgiveness in even the most horrific situations. When we grasp the weight of God’s grace toward us, we realize that we really don’t have a choice in extending forgiveness – regardless of what has happened.
o Forgiveness is radical. This is discipleship itself. This requires amazing grace. The world is broken, but we can be agent of forgiveness even as we stand against injustice.
Notes:
◼ Discuss:
o What are some clear-cut examples of injustice in our world? Why do you consider them to be clear-cut?
o When have you seen injustice addressed in a way that produces a solution or resolution?
o Where do you see examples of anger making problems worse in the world today? In your own experiences?
o What is a Biblical definition of what it means to actually extend forgiveness? How does God’s Word show us the way?
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord.20 On the contrary: “If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
o What commands does God give to His following in these verses?
o When have you experienced the futility of repaying evil for evil? Conversely, when have you been successful at loving your enemy?
o Where do you see opportunities in your community to overcome evil with good?
◼ If you are reading the book:
o Read chapters 17-20 before next week.