Both Your Houses – Bible Study

Christy is taken aback by the anger that exists in Cutter Gap. What steps does she take to stop the longtime feuding? When anger is directed at her, how do her actions reflect the scriptures? Read Luke 6:27, Philippians 4:8, Romans 13:9-10, & Matthew 18:21-22 and discuss God’s guidelines for us.

Opal McHone says, “Fixin’s hard. It takes a heap more doing.” What does she mean in regards to life in Cutter Gap? Discuss why God warns us against anger and an unforgiving attitude after reading Ephesians 4:26-27 & 31-32, Psalm 37:8, Proverbs 19:11 & Luke 17:3-4. In your experience, how have anger and lack of forgiveness created situations that have been difficult to undo?

When Christy agrees to teach in Cutter Gap, she doesn’t realize the role feuding and long held beliefs will play in her daily life. What she finds is that the anger and lack of forgiveness held by the adults has trickled to her students. In an effort to change the children’s behavior, she incorporates Shakespeare’s play into her curriculum, showing that both sides lose when fighting exists. But she also lives by example, treating all her students and their parents equally with love and compassion. For instance, when Isaac McHone asks for help with his mother, Christy not only attends to the deceased child and visits Opal regularly, but she also offers a home for the boys while their mother recovers from depression. Christy doesn’t take sides, she only loves and prays for peace.

The path to bringing change and peace to Cutter Gap is a difficult walk for Christy. In the face of anger, she stands on the side of right, protecting the hurting, and pleading for common sense and attitudes of forgiveness among the mountain folk. Above and beyond that, she learns to forgive others and herself as well. Despite disappointments and personal hurts, her life is an example of what God commands in the scriptures.

This same attitude should be evident in us. God wants us to be the peacemakers and exhibit the fruit of the Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23) When others have wronged us, He tells us to let go of our anger and to forgive – for good reasons! These commands are there for our protection because spiritually and physically, anger is damaging. It can create separation in our relationship with Jesus Christ, as well as emotional problems like depression. Our anger and lack of forgiveness can also fuel resentment and rage in others. So, if you are harboring ill feelings toward another – or even toward yourself for a past mistake – let go of the anger and forgive. It’s what God asks you to do.