“Anyone who has trapped animals knows that a trap needs two things to be successful: It must be hidden in the hope that an animal will stumble upon it, and it must be baited to lure the animal into the trap’s deadly jaws. Many people are unable to function properly in God’s purpose and calling for their lives because of the wounds, hurts, and offenses in their lives.” (p.177)

Do you acknowledge to yourself or to others when you become offended – explain why or why not:____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

List three things that offend you most:
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

What are your most common emotional responses when you are offended (circle 3-4)?
Hurt Anger Outrage Jealousy Envy Resentment Strife Bitterness Hatred

Circle one for each of the following statements:
1. Church people seem to be easily offended – Usually True or Seldom True.
2. I offend easily – Usually True or Seldom True.
3. Friends seem to offend easily – Usually True or Seldom True.
4. People at work (I work with) get offended easily – Usually True or Seldom True.
5. Relatives get easily offended – Usually True or Seldom True.

On a scale of 1 to 5 (1 = very little, 5 = very much), how would you rate each of the following statements in your own life (circle your answer):
 I expect much of others. 1 2 3 4 5
 I am easily disappointed. 1 2 3 4 5
 I love or respect conditionally. 1 2 3 4 5
 I give to get (bless to be blessed). 1 2 3 4 5

From the following list, rank your normal responses to offense from 1 to 5 (1 = most likely, 5 least likely):
• _____ I get mad.
• _____ I immediately forgive.
• _____ I get even (look for ways to get even).
• _____ I work hard at forgiving the person.
• _____ I seek to be reconciled.

List the names of five people who have offended you (begin with the closest relation – keep in mind; as a general rule, we are not offended by people we don’t care about):
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
4. ________________________________________________________________________
5. ________________________________________________________________________

Complete the following list, list both those who have the right to hurt you and those you have deliberately shut out.

Those who can hurt me:
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________
Those I have shut out:
1. ________________________________________________________________________
2. ________________________________________________________________________
3. ________________________________________________________________________

“If the devil could destroy us whenever he wanted to, he would have wiped us out a long time ago. Satan hopes we will take his bait of offense so that he will have a foothold into our lives to destroy both our relationships with God and our relationship with others. Don’t take the bait and Satan cannot touch you…If you stay free from offense, you will stay in the will of God…” (p. 189 & 191)

Consider the story of Joseph, then answer this question: Do you believe you have the right to be or live offended? Yes or No. Please explain:_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________