Spiritual Growth Agendas, Topical Curriculum

What Good is Revenge?

Main Point: Revenge is something God wants us to avoid…and instead, focus on peace and forgiveness.

Discussion Starter: YouTube Videos of Revenge
This is pretty simple to pull off, and will provide laughter and a great way to make your point. Just connect your computer to the video projector and show one or more of these videos.


  1. Man Gets Even With Snow Blower Thief: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPa0H8d0vSo

  2. Husband Gets Revenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCoQmXbNjAo

    3. NOTE: This clip mentions the word a**hole in it.

  3. Wife Gets Revenge: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Io2YpXLycIU&feature=related



Transitional Statement:
Whether we realize it or not, revenge is a big part of our lives. Think about it: revenge is committed so often, we are even entertained by the very idea of it. The second Transformers’ movie was called “REVENGE of the Fallen.” There’s a new TV show on ABC called “REVENGE.” There are tons of websites online that are dedicated to telling REVENGE stories. That’s why I say, “Revenge is a big part of our lives.” In fact, sometimes, it shows up in our own lives. But what does God have to say about that? Let’s spend the next few minutes discussing that question.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:


  1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and whether we’ve ever been involved in revenge – either giving or receiving.

  2. ASK A FEW: Go back to those videos for a second. Which one do you think was the worst form of revenge? Which would you least like to receive?

  3. ASK A FEW: When you watched the videos, did the “revenge match the crime” so to speak? In other words, was the revenge that was dished out actually warranted?

  4. ASK A FEW: Why do you think people take revenge?

  5. ASK A FEW: Do you think that the people who took revenge consider themselves “even”?

  6. ASK A FEW: Have you ever sought revenge? If so, how did it turn out?

  7. ASK A FEW: How does revenge affect the people that receive it? How does revenge impact the people who give it?

    8. Read the following passage:

      Romans 12:16-21 (NIV)
      Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited. 17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everybody. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my 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.

  8. ASK SOMEONE: This short passage tells us TO DO and NOT TO DO lots of things. Can you remember them all?

  9. ASK A FEW: Which of these seems the hardest, seriously? Why?

  10. ASK SOMEONE: What does the Bible say about taking revenge? (Leaders – The Bible says NOT to do it. Instead, it tells us to let God be concerned with that.)

  11. ASK A FEW: What does the Bible say we should do for those who have wronged us and hurt us?

  12. ASK A FEW: What good does it do – if any – to take revenge?

  13. ASK A FEW: Without mentioning names, who is the person in your life right now that needs your peace and forgiveness instead of wrath and revenge?

  14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: What will you do for that person this week to show them that God’s desire for peace in your life will outweigh your desire for revenge?

Wrap Up:
So our topic was one that affects our lives on at least a monthly basis: revenge. We see it, we feel it, and sometimes, we even give it. And, according to the Bible, that’s not a good thing.

Here’s the problem with revenge: Where do you draw the line? In other words, at what point are you “even” or “compensated” for your own hurt? How can you know if you’ve given just the right amount of revenge, not enough, or even too much?

The truth is, there is no line when it comes to revenge. If you seek to avenge yourself, you’re only causing yourself more harm. Yeah, you might hurt that other person, but you’ve also damaged the relationship between you and God, because God has told us to avoid revenge.

Let me share with you another passage of Scripture. This one comes from James 2:12-13. The brother of Jesus says, “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!”

Do you believe that??? James actually believes that mercy is greater than judgment…his word for revenge! He wants us to live our lives in peace with one another because we now live in peace with God because of what Jesus has done for us. God has led us by example in this difficult aspect of life, and He expects that we follow His example.

This is NEVER easy to do, though. But you don’t have to walk through this challenging aspect of our faith, alone. You can get help. If you want to talk about this issue some more, see us after we pray. You’ll be glad you did.

Close in Prayer

Written by David R Smith

36 Comments
Share

Jonathan McKee

Jonathan McKee is the author of over twenty books including the brand new The Guy's Guide to FOUR BATTLES Every Young Man Must Face; The Teen’s Guide to Social Media & Mobile Devices; If I Had a Parenting Do Over; and the Amazon Best Seller - The Guy's Guide to God, Girls and the Phone in Your Pocket. He speaks to parents and leaders worldwide, all while providing free resources for youth workers on TheSource4YM.com. Jonathan, his wife Lori, and their three kids live in California.

Recommended To You

great-fruit-is-obvious

Great Fruit is Obvious

testing-toothpicks-and-friendships

Testing Toothpicks… and Friendships

purifying-dirty-lives

Purifying Dirty Lives

36 Comments

  1. Terrill White
    October 6, 2012 at 12:00 am

    The video of the lady with the gun has the word a**hole in it twice. Glad I previewed it before using it.

  2. Terrill White
    October 6, 2012 at 12:00 am
  3. Edwardhip
    April 23, 2025 at 11:18 am

    olympe casino cresus: olympe – casino olympe

  4. RobertBus
    April 25, 2025 at 3:32 am

    https://kamagraprix.shop/# Achetez vos kamagra medicaments

  5. Bernardnes
    April 25, 2025 at 5:07 am

    acheter kamagra site fiable: Kamagra pharmacie en ligne – kamagra oral jelly

  6. PeterDor
    April 25, 2025 at 6:01 am

    Pharmacie en ligne livraison Europe pharmacie en ligne pas cher vente de mГ©dicament en ligne pharmafst.shop

  7. Bradleytib
    April 25, 2025 at 7:28 am

    pharmacies en ligne certifiГ©es: Pharmacies en ligne certifiees – pharmacie en ligne france pas cher pharmafst.com

  8. Bernardnes
    April 25, 2025 at 9:19 am

    п»їpharmacie en ligne france: Livraison rapide – п»їpharmacie en ligne france pharmafst.com

  9. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 5:01 am

    kamagra pas cher: acheter kamagra site fiable – Achetez vos kamagra medicaments

  10. PeterDor
    April 26, 2025 at 7:54 am

    pharmacie en ligne france livraison internationale pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique pharmacie en ligne france pas cher pharmafst.shop

  11. RobertBus
    April 26, 2025 at 8:10 am

    https://tadalmed.shop/# Tadalafil sans ordonnance en ligne

  12. BillieBob
    April 26, 2025 at 11:06 am

    Cialis sans ordonnance pas cher: Acheter Viagra Cialis sans ordonnance – Pharmacie en ligne Cialis sans ordonnance tadalmed.shop

  13. Bernardnes
    April 26, 2025 at 11:32 am

    acheter kamagra site fiable: achat kamagra – kamagra gel

  14. Bradleytib
    April 26, 2025 at 12:53 pm

    achat kamagra: kamagra pas cher – kamagra en ligne

  15. RobertBus
    April 26, 2025 at 1:49 pm

    http://pharmafst.com/# Pharmacie Internationale en ligne

  16. Bradleytib
    April 28, 2025 at 5:49 am

    pharmacie en ligne pas cher: Pharmacie en ligne France – vente de mГ©dicament en ligne pharmafst.com

  17. Bernardnes
    April 28, 2025 at 5:59 am

    pharmacie en ligne france fiable: trouver un mГ©dicament en pharmacie – pharmacie en ligne france livraison belgique pharmafst.com

  18. Michaelkah
    April 28, 2025 at 10:03 am

    reputable indian online pharmacy top online pharmacy india medicine courier from India to USA

  19. Stevenzen
    April 28, 2025 at 10:05 am

    canadian pharmacy 24h com safe: Express Rx Canada – drugs from canada

  20. Dannycep
    April 28, 2025 at 11:03 am

    Medicine From India: indian pharmacy – Medicine From India

  21. Michaelkah
    April 28, 2025 at 3:30 pm

    indian pharmacy online indian pharmacy online shopping best india pharmacy

  22. Dannycep
    April 28, 2025 at 3:38 pm

    indian pharmacy online: medicine courier from India to USA – Medicine From India

  23. Michaelkah
    April 29, 2025 at 8:13 am

    precription drugs from canada ExpressRxCanada online canadian pharmacy

  24. ZackaryPoimb
    May 6, 2025 at 7:07 pm

    http://pinupaz.top/# pinup az

  25. ZackaryPoimb
    May 7, 2025 at 11:41 am

    http://pinupaz.top/# pin up casino

  26. Elmerwab
    May 7, 2025 at 3:19 pm

    pin up az: pin-up casino giris – pin up

  27. Richardamulp
    May 7, 2025 at 4:17 pm

    пин ап казино pin up вход пинап казино

  28. Elmerwab
    May 7, 2025 at 9:04 pm

    pinup az: pinup az – pin up az

  29. Richardamulp
    May 7, 2025 at 10:32 pm

    pin up az pin up casino pin up

  30. ZackaryPoimb
    May 7, 2025 at 10:39 pm

    https://pinupaz.top/# pin up casino

  31. Robertdrono
    May 9, 2025 at 7:42 am

    secure checkout Viagra: safe online pharmacy – generic sildenafil 100mg

  32. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 9:17 am

    https://maxviagramd.shop/# legit Viagra online

  33. Jeremynek
    May 9, 2025 at 10:14 am

    Viagra without prescription: fast Viagra delivery – order Viagra discreetly

  34. Lorenzonor
    May 9, 2025 at 12:40 pm

    Modafinil for sale Modafinil for sale modafinil legality

  35. Robertdrono
    May 9, 2025 at 12:42 pm

    discreet shipping ED pills: discreet shipping ED pills – affordable ED medication

  36. Ronaldneose
    May 9, 2025 at 2:54 pm

    http://maxviagramd.com/# no doctor visit required

Reply your comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked*