Message—Love is not easily angered
Week of February 8, 2009

Thematic Focus
There are appropriate and inappropriate ways to respond to anger. Learn the elements God uses to help you tame your temper.

Main Points
The typical ways people respond to anger:

· Clam up and stuff it
· Crack up and spew it

The elements God can use to help you tame your temper:
· Resolving to manage it.
· Remembering the cost of it.
· Reflecting before reacting to it.
   - Are you hurt? Frustrated? Afraid?
· Relying on God to work through it.
   - Don't stuff it, deny it, or just express it.
   - Confess it.

Summary Points
Anger as an emotion is not a sin, rather it is an indicator that something needs our attention. God can and wants to work in it.

Scriptural Lenses:
· 1 Corinthians 13
· Romans 12:1-2
· Psalm 141
· Proverbs 14:16-17, 29; 22:24; 29:11,22

Pursuing clarity
Use the following structure to guide your discussion:

Opening Prayer
Take a moment to recognize Christ’s presence among you.

Opening Question
Identify some of the patterns of anger we see in our world. Discuss.

Scriptural Focus
Select a scripture you would like to focus on.

Group Discussion
Use these questions to begin your discussion:

1. What are some of the excuses people make for denying anger is a choice?
2. Why is anger contagious?
3. How does unmanaged anger destroy relationships?
4. How can a hot temper affect family and children?
5. Give examples of how personal hurt, frustration, or fear can fuel anger.
6. How might answering these questions help: "Why am I angry?" "What do I want?" And "How do I get it?"
7. What are some examples of changing the way we think?
8. The way we respond to anger is learned. What are some ways we can unlearn the inappropriate responses we have learned?
9. How does confessing our anger connect us to the help of God?

Adjusting Focus
Take time to assess how you are doing with your love:

Have you resolved to manage your anger?
(circle one) Yes No

Which relationships in your life are more important than a hot temper? Names?

Family Members _________________

_________________

Friends _________________

_________________

Co-Workers _________________

_________________

Brothers/Sisters              _________________
In Christ
                                             _________________

_________________

Maintaining Focus
How is God's Spirit prompting you to understand and view love differently? Pray about how you respond to your anger and write down three commitments to change:

____________________________________________

Closing Prayer
Take time at the close of your time together to pray for God’s assistance in the journey. Depending on how comfortable group members feel, here are some ways you could pray:

· Write out a personal prayer.
· Have the group facilitator or a designated member of the group pray.
· Have members of the group get into a smaller group to pray for one another.
· Have several members of the group pray aloud and then conclude.

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