Helpful scriptures for talking to people about mass shooting in Aurora

•	Luke 13: 1-5 Summary – Galileans come to Jesus and tell him of a terrible atrocity in which Pilot murdered people who were trying to worship God.  Jesus responds by telling them that all who refuse to repent will perish.
Principle - Tragedy is to be viewed as a warning that all deserve God’s wrath and should repent.

•	Isaiah 46: 10 &11 Summary – God tells the people of Israel that he has caused the nations around them to cause them suffering as punishment for their idolatry.
Principle - God is in control and allows evil people to cause suffering as an expression of His wrath.

•	Psalm 5:5, Romans 1:18 Summary – God hates those who sin and His wrath will be poured out on all ungodliness.
Principle - The anger that we feel at the shooting should remind us that our sin makes God very angry.  We should take our own sin as seriously, mourn and repent of it and strive to live holy.

•	Psalm 91 – Don’t let this event cause you to be afraid. Trust in the promises of Psalm 91 – no harm will befall you. That’s not to say that you will never be shot. In Luke 21: 16-18  Jesus said we may be killed but will ultimately be unharmed.
Principle – Jesus does not define “harm” the way we usually do. Suffering and even death are not ultimately harm for the believer. We have nothing to fear. Believers who are killed are not suffering God’s wrath but rather the ultimate good, they are immediately in the presence of Jesus (Philippians 1:21-23).

•	Exodus 33: 19, Romans 9: 15 Summary – God will show mercy to whomever he chooses. 
Principle – God does not owe mercy to anyone, he is obligated to give us nothing but wrath.  God does no one wrong when their life is cut short no matter how young the age. We should not view tragedy in view of fairness but in appreciation for mercy.

•	Acts 17:30-31 Revelation 6:16 Summary – God has set a day in which he will judge everyone in the world.  Those who face his justice outside of Christ would rather the mountains fall on them.
Principle – God will do perfect justice for those who were victims in the shooting.  God’s wrath for that sin will either be poured out on the shooter or on Christ on the cross. Someday God will make all wrongs right in a way that is fully satisfactory.