Today in our Bible study together, we are talking about an emotion that every human being faces: anger. Anger is not a sin, but rather, it is an emotion. It is what we do when we are angry that we must pay attention to. You see, we can either respond to our anger in a way that honors God or respond to our anger by giving in to sin. In our study today, we will talk about how to honor God when we feel angry.
What things make people angry today?
1. In what different ways do people respond when they feel anger?
2. Read Ephesians 4:26-27. How does anger threaten to impact us if we give in to our anger?
Ephesians 4:26-27
And “don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry, 27 for anger gives a foothold to the devil.
3. Read James 4:1-2a. What is the root of our fights and arguments that are born out of our anger? How have you seen this to be true in your own life?
James 4:1-2a
What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them.
4. Read Philippians 2:14-16. How does this passage of Scripture call us to live? What is the impact if we live this way?
Philippians 2:14-16
Do everything without complaining and arguing, 15 so that no one can criticize you. Live clean, innocent lives as children of God, shining like bright lights in a world full of crooked and perverse people. 16 Hold firmly to the word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, I will be proud that I did not run the race in vain and that my work was not useless.
1. Do you find yourself easily angered? Why or why not?
2. How do you usually respond when you are angry?
3. What is one way that you can grow when it comes to how you respond to your anger?
What are you currently angry over? (You do not need to go into detail if that does not feel appropriate.) What is one way you can respond to your anger well? After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God to help each one of you as you seek to honor Him in your response to your anger.
Anger can lead us down a path that we do not want to go. It can cause us to sin in response to our anger. We are not, however, left alone to deal with our anger. Scripture teaches us that we can fight against it. Let's take a look at three ways we can fight against our anger so that we respond to it in a way that honors God.
One way to respond well to anger is to have patience. You see, it is impossible for us to overreact in our anger if we practice patience. Patience helps us to have a good perspective and understanding when we feel anger welling up in us. Let's dive into Scripture to see how patience can help us respond well when we feel angry.
1. Read Proverbs 15:18.
Proverbs 15:18
A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.
2. Contrast the two types of people described in this passage of Scripture.
3. Do you find it easy to be a “cool-tempered,” patient person? Why or why not?
4. What is one way that you can grow in your patience and be a “cool-tempered” person?
A second way to respond to anger is with kindness. When we have an attitude of kindness, it is difficult to lose our temper and sin in our anger. Kindness allows us to see the person we are angry at as someone who is loved by God. Spend a few moments turning to what Scripture teaches about responding in kindness instead of anger.
1. Read Galatians 6:9-10.
Galatians 6:9-10
So let’s not get tired of doing what is good. At just the right time we will reap a harvest of blessing if we don’t give up. 10 Therefore, whenever we have the opportunity, we should do good to everyone—especially to those in the family of faith.
2. How can we, according to this passage of Scripture, show kindness to the people around us?
3. What is the result of showing kindness, according to this passage of Scripture?
4. How does kindness fight against the feelings of anger that we may experience?
When we are angry, we want payback. We want the people who have hurt us to suffer because of what they have done to us. Scripture teaches a different way. In a world that seeks to pay back injustices done against us, Scripture teaches us to let God fight for us.
1. Read Romans 12:19-21.
Romans 12:19-21
Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. 20 Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” 21 Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.
2. Compare the way the world seeks revenge versus how Scripture calls Christ followers to respond when they are angry.
3. Why does this passage of Scripture call Christ followers to “never take revenge?”
4. How does this mindset help us fight against anger?
After studying Scripture regarding how we can respond well to anger, reflect.
1. When it comes to the three ways we can respond to anger, which comes most naturally?
2. Which of the three ways we can respond to anger would you like to grow in?
3. What step can you take today to grow in the way you respond to anger?
As you go throughout your week, commit to taking that step you would like to grow in so that you can respond well to any anger that arises within you.
©2024 Sagebrush Church
