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This week’s study is based on:

‘Anger’

We all know the feeling of anger.

When you think of anger, what comes to mind? Is it experiences you’ve had or seen in someone else? Perhaps you have given out when you were very angry or received from someone else? Maybe you think of stories or teaching from the Bible?

In many cases anger is expressed in destructive ways and consequently is a very negative thing because of this. On the flip side can there be a constructive side to the feelings/emotion of anger which leads to positive results?

Share your thoughts/experiences with your group.

Let’s look at Anger now from both perspectives, positive and negative.

A. Negative side.

Read Matthew 5:21-26.

In v21-22 Jesus speaks about murder and anger. What point is he making?

In Genesis 4 we read about the story of Cain and Abel.

Read Genesis 4:3-8.

· Why did Cain become very angry? Whose fault was this?

· What was God’s question, solution and warning?

· Did Cain follow God and what was the result?

· What was God’s punishment for Cain’s sin? Genesis 4:9-16.

Do you relate to any part of this story? Share your answer with the others in your group.

On Sunday Phil shared four ways people handle anger.

1. Rage.

The word ‘rage’ indicates a type of anger that is intensive, explosive and an uncontrolled expression of anger. It can be very destructive physically and verbally and leave deep scars.

Can you think of ways we see anger expressed with rage in our modern day?

What does James say in James 1:19-20?

What do you think would be the benefits of following this teaching?

2. Revenge.

In 2nd Samuel 13:1-34a we read the story of David’s son Amnon who raped his half sister Tamar and how her full brother Absalom plotted his revenge on Amnon.

Read 2nd Samuel 13:20-22 and 28-29.

How long did Absalom scheme his revenge?

What does God say in Romans 12:17-21 our attitude about taking revenge on someone for their wrong doing should be?

3. Resentment.

Read Luke 15:28-32.

· What was the older brother’s problem?

· What should his response have been?

This story Jesus told to the Pharisees. Luke 15:1-2. The older brother represented them. They were angry and resented that sinners were being welcomed into God’s Kingdom and must have thought, ‘After all, we have sacrificed so much and done so much for God!’

We know that eventually their anger and hatred of Jesus led to murdering him! Mark 3:6.

B. Positive side.

4. Indignation.

This is a righteous constructive anger, looking to solutions to the problem rather than attacking the person.

Read Mark 3:1-6.

Notice how Jesus handled his anger towards the Pharisees. He did didn’t suppress it but was controlled being constructive and positive.

Three ways to handle anger.

1. Repress it…. denial…. Often causes health issues…. Physical body pays for it!

2. Suppress it…. eventually it will come out and maybe on those it has nothing to do with!

3. Express it…. in a controlled way. See James 1:19.

Which of the above do you use to deal with your anger?

Has God spoken to you through what Phil shared on Sunday and through this study?

How are you going to apply what He has shown you? Share with your group. Be specific.

Pray for each other.

Why not choose to respond in a positive way…. after all hasn’t God chosen to show kindness when He would be completely justified in being furious with us because of our sin?

Finish by reading John 13:34-35.

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