ACCC Youth Sunday School April 29, 2007
Flood
Lesson: Anger
Objective – This lesson is designed to help students realize that emotions and anger are a natural part of
life and discover the underlying causes of anger. Students will also see the destructive
consequences of anger as well as ways to resolve it.
In addition, this second lesson should build up the comfort level in the group so that students
are free and willing to share.
Finally, feedback from students / assistants about the curriculum (or class in general) is always
welcome!
Supplies – Projector/TV, laptop, DVD, whiteboard markers
1. Large group
Intro to lesson – emoticons, expressing our emotions online vs. real life,
Segue into video clip – Anger: 3 kids, 3 responses
Closing remarks
Split into small groups
2. Small groups
Introductions and icebreaking as necessary
Discussion questions
o When was the last time you got angry? Can you recall what happened?
Students don’t have to share if they’re not comfortable, but the idea is show that anger is
something we all deal with in everyday life.
o Is anger good or bad? What does the Bible say? Was Jesus ever angry?
While everyone probably has a different view on this one, here are my (Jon’s) thoughts.
Anger in and of itself is not really good or bad. Ephesians 4:26 says, “Be angry, and yet do
not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger.” The verb be is in the imperative mood
and passive voice. This means that things will happen that makes us feel angry and that is
how it should be. However, God wants us to resolve our anger before the day is over. We
are not to let it sit and develop into bitterness, wrath, etc. It is pretty clear that Jesus was
angry when he overturned the moneychangers’ tables in the temple. Jesus was an
emotional man, but He did not sin in his anger. It has been said that for humans to be
angry and not sin, we must be angry at nothing but sin itself.
o How do you deal with you anger? What other ways have you seen? How do our
responses to anger affect others (and ourselves)?
Some people just keep their anger inside and never let it out. The problem is that when they
finally blow their top, it blows with great intensity because of all the pent up anger. How
would you like to live next to a volcano that only blew up “once in a while?” Other people
just constant express their anger with reckless abandon. These people will probably have
problems developing friendships and are not pleasant to be around. Other people take out
their anger upon themselves, which leads to severe personal problems and hurt.
o Is hiding our emotions and avoiding someone who hurt us a real solution to our problems?
If not, why do we hide our true emotions so much of the time?
No, while problem don’t have to be dealt with instantaneously, running away from people
and problems is not a long term solution. We can try to suppress them, but they never
really go away; they just manifest themselves in other areas. We need to be real with others,
especially those in the community of Christ.
o What does anger reveal about me?
Oftentimes anger reveals an internal problem that I have and not just a problem in the
external circumstances in my life. For example, sometimes we get angry when things don’t
go our way – but who really is in control of everything? It can be humbling to admit that
we really have no control over things in life. Other times, we get angry when we are hurt.
But we live in a post-Genesis 3 world. We cannot expect things to be perfect and free of sin.
Instead we must see these hurts as a way to show the forgiveness we have received
through Christ to others. Finally, sometimes we can be angry at how others are treated or
victimized. But this is a variation on the second one; if we have to forgive those who hurt us,
we are also called to forgive those who hurt others. This isn’t to say that all anger is a
revelation of sin in our lives, but we MUST examine ourselves first because anger is so
volatile (Proverbs 16:32, 29:11)
o So what in the world am I supposed to do when I get angry then?
Examine yourself. Find out what is causing you to be angry. If it reveals a sin or deficiency in
your own life, start to work on it. If it reveals an unreasonable (or maybe even a reasonable)
expectation – re-evalute it. For example, do you really deserve unrestricted internet time or
the freedom to hang out with your friends at the mall/church/movies whenever you want?
Seek God. Psalm 62:8 says, “Pour out your heart before Him.” God understands what we
our feeling and what we have been through. He gives us the grace to do what He asks.
Start a dialogue. Don’t let your anger sit and fester. Instead, it is much more helpful to be
real with those around you. Use the classic, non-accusing, “I feel ____ when you ____, I
want ____.” statement. Don’t blame people, but be honest about how you feel.
Replace your anger with forgiveness and compassion. Don’t forget how many times God
has forgiven you! Don’t become the unmerciful servant who was forgiven millions of dollars
but then went out to reclaim his $10. God has forgiven us over and over; how can we not
do the same? When you’re deeply hurt, use that hurt as a way to identify with Christ who
wrongly suffered so much for you. “I have been crucified with Christ.” Forgiveness involves
accepting the hurt that was inflicted and yielding my right/expectation to retaliate.
Closing and Application
o Reflect on how anger affects us. Have some quiet time for each person to examine his
or/her relationship to see if there are any that need mending. Encourage them to take care
of it now, and not put it off until after school/APs/etc.
o Collect prayer requests from the small group (anger/relational/ or otherwise) and close in
prayer. Please try to end on time!
o Dismissed!