He Knows Anger
Jesus knows what it is like to live life as a human. He knows that anger is one of the toughest emotions we have to deal with. This week, we are going to talk about our anger issues.
1. What thought or idea stood out to you this week as you heard Pastor James’ message
2. Read Ephesians 4:26. "Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger," This scripture tells us to be angry. Is anger a sin? How do you feel about expressing anger? Are you comfortable with it, or do you tend to downplay it?
3. Read Mark 1:41 “Jesus was indignant (angry). He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!” Jesus was not angry at the man, he was angry at the sicknees that plagued someone He loved. Have you considered how Jesus expressed anger with love and healing? How can we learn from this to express our anger constructively?
4. Read Mark 3:5. "He looked around at them in anger and, deeply distressed at their stubborn hearts, said to the man, “Stretch out your hand.” He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored." What injustices make you feel angry? How do you ensure love remains central in such situations?
5. Read Mark 10:14. "When Jesus saw what was happening, he was angry with his disciples. He said to them, “Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of God belongs to those who are like these children." On this occasion, Jesus was angry at His disciples for keeping the children from him. What makes you angrier—when you’re mistreated or when someone you love is mistreated? Why do you think there’s a difference between the two?
6. Read Matthew 21:12–14. "Jesus entered the temple courts and drove out all who were buying and selling there. He overturned the tables of the money changers and the benches of those selling doves. 13 “It is written,” he said to them, “ ‘My house will be called a house of prayer,’ but you are making it ‘a den of robbers.’” 14 The blind and the lame came to him at the temple, and he healed them." Have you ever forgotten to be loving in your effort to be right? What was that situation like? What did you learn from it?
Anger is fueled by love.
• Love is a verb. Love is an action. It was Jesus’ love for people that caused Him to become angry. How might remembering God’s forgiveness of your sins change how you approach people who have hurt or mistreated you or those you love?
Always Check your heart.
- Read Matthew 15:18–19
- Read James 4:1–2
- Anger is a choice. Expressing anger in a way that honors God can be challenging. How do you prevent anger from harming your relationships and spiritual well-being? Are you quick to anger or slow to it?
Attack the problem, not the person.
- Read James 1:19-20
- How can you turn the tables by loving people when you feel anger over injustice?
Surrender your anger to God.
- Read Romans 12:19. "Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: “It is mine to avenge; I will repay,” says the Lord." Though not inherently sinful, anger can lead to sin if not managed properly. What does Jesus instruct us to do when wronged? How do you ensure love remains central in such situations?