TOPIC: Managing Anger (Part 1) [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 May 2020]

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MEMORY VERSE: “26 Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: 27 Neither give place to the devil.” – Ephesians 4:26-27

BIBLE PASSAGE: John 2:13-17 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 3 May 2020)

13 And the Jews’ passover was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem,

14 And found in the temple those that sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the changers of money sitting:

15 And when he had made a scourge of small cords, he drove them all out of the temple, and the sheep, and the oxen; and poured out the changers’ money, and overthrew the tables;

16 And said unto them that sold doves, Take these things hence; make not my Father’s house an house of merchandise.

17 And his disciples remembered that it was written, The zeal of thine house hath eaten me up.

INTRODUCTION

Anger or wrath is an intense expression of emotion. It involves a strong uncomfortable and hostile response to a perceived provocation, hurt or threat. There are two Greek words in the New Testament translated as ‘anger’. One means ‘passion’ or ‘energy’ and the other means ‘agitated’ or ‘boiling’. Everyone struggles, to varying degrees, with anger. Sadly, people tend to justify their anger instead of accepting responsibility of it. The questions now are what does the Bible say about anger and at what point does it become a sin?

OUTLINES:

1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANGER?
2. WHEN DOES ANGER BECOME A SIN?

1. WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY ABOUT ANGER?

Anger is not always sin. There is a type of anger of which the Bible approves, often called “righteousness indignation”. God is angry with the wicked and act of wickedness (Psalm 7:11; Mark 3:5; John 2:13-17). It is also acceptable for believers to be angry (Ephesians 4:26). However, the Bible has many warnings against the improper use of anger. For instance, anger expressed at every provocation is foolishness (Ecclesiastes 7:9; Proverbs 14:29). We have a command to put away anger (Ephesians 4:31), slow to become angry” (James 1:19, Proverbs 16:32), cease from anger and turn from wrath (Psalm 37:8). The Bible also says that grievous words stir up anger (Proverbs 15:1, 18), anger is outrageous (Prov. 27:4a). In addition, the Bible warns against being angry without a cause (Matthew 5:22) and associating with angry people (Proverbs 22:24, 21:19).

2. WHEN DOES ANGER BECOME A SIN?

Anger become a sin:

1. When it is motivated by pride (1Samuel 18:6-9; James 1:20) or borne out of jealousy (Genesis 4:3-9).
2. When it is expressed hastily or blown out of proportion (Eccl. 7:9; Numbers 20:10-12).
3. When it is unproductive and thus distorts God’s purposes (Exodus 33:19-20; 1Corinthians 10:31).
4. When it is allowed to linger or leads to malice (Ephesians 4:26-27; 1Corinthians 14:20).
5. When instead of attacking the problem at hand, we attack the wrongdoer out of bitterness of heart (Ex. 2:11-12; Heb. 12:15).
6. When it is allowed to boil over without restraint, resulting in a scenario in which hurt is multiplied (Proverbs 29:11), leaving devastation in its wake.
7. When the angry one refuses to be pacified, hold a grudge, or keeps it inside (Gen. 27:36-41, Genesis 34:13-19, 25-26).

CONCLUSION:
Anger is a natural emotion like love. However, the Bible warns us against excessive, unproductive and destructive anger which leads to sin.

QUESTIONS:

1. What does the Bible say about anger?
2. When does anger become a sin?

ASSIGNMENT: Mention five (5) instances when you had demonstrated anger e.g when insulted by Traffic Officer.

Ask God for more grace of meekness

RCCG Sunday School HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   O how I love Thee well,
   I am happy, it makes me glad
   To rejoice at Thy birth.
2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Thy friendship suits me well,
   Both young and old will sing Thy song,
   We long for Sunday School.
3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Christ was Thy first teacher,
   The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
   Does manifest in thee.
4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   This testimony is sure,
   That God, the Father Almighty,
   Poured His blessing on Thee.
5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   Though the sun be so bright,
   Or if the clouds black with rain,
   I’ll be in Sunday School.
6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
   I rejoice to see Thee,
   Will thou pass over me today?
   Without my being blest?