MANAGING ANGER PART 2

         STUDENT'S MANUAL    

      LESSON THIRTY-SEVEN

    _SUNDAY 10 MAY  2020_

*TOPIC: MANAGING ANGER PT2*

*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 friend friendship suits me well, 

Both young and 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 be 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?

*MEMORY VERSE*

"Cease from anger, and forsake wrath: fret not thyself in any wise to do evil."

 -- Psalm 37:8

*BIBLE PASSAGE:  NUMBERS 20:8-12*

20.8. "Take the rod; you and your brother Aaron gather the congregation together. Speak to the rock before their eyes, and it will yield its water; thus you shall bring water for them out of the rock, and give drink to the congregation and their animals." 

20.9. So Moses took the rod from before the LORD as He commanded him. 

20.10. And Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock; and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels! Must we bring water for you out of this rock?" 

20.11. Then Moses lifted his hand and struck the rock twice with his rod; and water came out abundantly, and the congregation and their animals drank. 

20.12. Then the LORD spoke to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe Me, to hallow Me in the eyes of the children of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land which I have given them." 

*INTRODUCTION*

It is important to re-emphasise that anger is a 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 towards sin (Ephesians 4:31). Managing anger is an important life skill. Thankful, God's word contains principles regarding how to handle anger in a godly manners, and how to overcome sinful anger.

 

*LESSON OUTLINES*

1. CAUSES AND DANGERS.

2. HOW TO MANAGE ANGER BIBLICALLY.

*OUTLINE -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; 1Samuel 20:30), pride (Esther 3:5), frustration/Job pressure (Numbers 20:10), grievous words (Proverbs 15:1), feeling of being cheated (2Kings 6:28-29; Luke 15:25-28), injustice (Matthew 18:32-34), abuse (2Samuel 13:14, 16, 22). Others may include: 

memory of a traumatic experience, infidelity, stress, financial issues, poor social/environmental situations, etc.

Untamed anger can shatter communication and tear apart relationships. Unchecked anger among believers will break fellowship and bring damage to the church. It ruins both the 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-desruction, destruction of properties, harming of others (physically and emotionally) and murder (Matthew 5:21-22; 1John 3:15; Psalm 37:8; Genesis 49:7). Any believer with an untamed anger or temper risks the chance of making it to Heaven (Galatians 5:19-21).

*OUTLINE -2*

_HOW TO MANAGE ANGER BIBLICALLY._

Managing anger begins with recognising and admitting the error in the way it is being expressed (Prov. 28:13; 1John 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; Romans 12:19). Also, learning to return good for evil helps believers to overcome anger (Genesis 50:21; Romans 12:21). Communication solves problems especially the ones relating to anger (Proverbs 15:1; Ephesians 4:15, 25-26, 29-32). At times we can handle anger tactically by putting up stricter boundaries (Matthew 7:6). Sometimes our anger leads 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; Hebrew 12:14). We should strive to "keep short accounts" and forgive those we need to 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 dangers involved.

2. How can a believer manage anger biblically?