TOPIC: Managing Anger (Part 2) [RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 10 May 2020]

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MEMORY VERSE: “Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil.” – Psalms 37:8

BIBLE PASSAGE: Numbers 20:8-12 KJV (RCCG Sunday School STUDENT Manual 10 May 2020)

8 Take the rod, and gather thou the assembly together, thou, and Aaron thy brother, and speak ye unto the rock before their eyes; and it shall give forth his water, and thou shalt bring forth to them water out of the rock: so thou shalt give the congregation and their beasts drink.

9 And Moses took the rod from before the LORD, as he commanded him.

10 And Moses and Aaron gathered the congregation together before the rock, and he said unto them, Hear now, ye rebels; must we fetch you water out of this rock?

11 And Moses lifted up his hand, and with his rod he smote the rock twice: and the water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their beasts also.

12 And the LORD spake unto Moses and Aaron, Because ye believed me not, to sanctify me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore ye shall not bring this congregation into the land which I have given them.

INTRODUCTION

It is important to re-emphasis that anger is valid emotion and is not always sinful. God allows for “righteous anger” which is anger with the proper focus, the proper motivation, the proper control, the proper duration and the proper result. Our problem is that our temper is often motivated by selfishness and directed towards other people instead of toward sin (Eph. 4:31). Managing anger is an important life skill. Thankfully, God’s word contains principles regarding how to handle anger in a godly manner, and how to overcome sinful anger.

OUTLINES:

1. CAUSES AND DANGERS
2. HOW TO MANAGE ANGER BIBLICALLY

1. CAUSES AND DANGERS

Anger has been said to be a warning flag. It alerts us to those times when others are attempting to or have violated our boundaries:

Some of the causes of anger are relational misunderstanding (Genesis 13:7-8, 1 Sam. 20:30), pride (Esther 3:5), frustration/job pressure (Numbers 20:10), grievous words (Proverbs. 15:1), feeling of being cheated (2 Kings 6:28-29; Luke 15:25-28), injustice (Matthew 18:32-34), abuse (2 Sam. 13:14, 16, 22). Others may include: memory of a traumatic experience, infidelity, stress, financial issues, poor social/environmental situation, etc.

Untamed anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationships. Unchecked anger among believers will break fellowship and bring damage to the church. It can ruins both joy and health of many. If we hold on to anger, we run the risk of bitterness and resentfulness, which provide the devil with a foothold in our lives. It can lead to self – destruction, destruction of properties, harming of others (physically and emotionally) and murder (Matthew 5:21-22, 1 John 3:15, Psalm 37:7, Genesis 49:7). Any believer with an untamed anger or temper risks the chance of making it to Heaven (Galatians 5::19-21).

2. HOW TO MANAGE ANGER BIBLICALLY

Managing anger begins with recognise and admit your error in the way it is being expressed (Prov. 28:13; 1 John 1:9). Anger is well managed when we view it as a trial of faith (James 1:2-4:; Genesis 50:20).

Remembering that God is a righteous judge and He can always defend us is another way to manage our anger. (Genesis 50:19; Rom. 12:19). Also, learning to return good for evil helps believers to overcome anger. (Genesis 50:21; Rom. 12:21). Communication solves problems especially the ones relating to anger (Proverbs 15:21; Ephesians 4:15; 4:25-26, 29-32). At times we can handle anger tactically by putting up striker boundaries (Matthew 7:6).

Sometimes our anger leads us to recognise that certain people are unsafe for us. We can still forgive them, but we may choose not to re-enter the relationship.

Overcoming a temper is not accomplished overnight. However, through prayers, bible study, and reliance upon God’s Holy Spirit, ungodly anger can be overcome. We should deal with the anger and its root quickly and then promptly put it away from our lives. Always pursue peace with all people (Romans 12:18; Hebrews 12:14), We should strive to “keep short account” and forgive those we need forgive in a timely manner before the sun goes down (Mark 11:25). With the Holy Spirit in our lives, we will show the fruit of His work inside us. Some of the components of the fruit of the Spirit are peace, patience and self control (Galatians 5:22-23). These are essential to controlling the tendency to lose our temper.

CONCLUSION:
We must act to solve our part of the problem (Romans 12:18).
We cannot control how others act or respond, but we can make the changes that need to be made on our part.

QUESTIONS:

1. Mention some causes of anger and the damages involved.
2. How can a believer manage anger biblically?

ASSIGNMENT:
Identify 5 things which quickly provoke you to anger and cry to God to help you overcome them.

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?