INITIATION:
Teens are in constant transition. Physically, societally, and emotionally, all the while trying to figure out who they are and where they belong. This process of growth and change takes teens through a maze of unpredictable and sometimes volatile emotions. Perhaps one of the most difficult feelings for them to learn to control is anger. Whether your students express anger openly and aggressively or brood over it secretly, this powerful emotion can have devastating effects if not dealt with properly.
Think back to your own teen years. Did the pendulum of your emotion swing wilder than it does now? Age and experience definitely provide a broader perspective. But unresolved anger can infiltrate your soul, robbing it of the capacity to love others with Christ’s supernatural love. Ask the Holy Spirit to aid you in resisting any urges to give in to unhealthy anger, and instead to help you to become more like Christ.
As you prepare for this study, ask God to direct you in relating the disciples’ experiences with unhealthy anger to your students’ individual lives. If you’ve struggled with anger, consider sharing a story or two with your students. Use discretion and be sure to tell how God has helped (or is helping) you to overcome these feelings. Your honesty may encourage others to open up about their personal battles with anger.
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UNIT 4:
TURNING THE TIDE OF EMOTIONS
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BIBLE TEXT:
Matt 20:20-27; Luke 9:49-56; James 1:19-20; 1 John 4:7-21
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SUBJECT:
FROM ANGER TO LOVE
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KEY VERSE:
There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love. (1 John 4:18 NIV).
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MAIN LESSON DISCOURSE
Explain to students…
WHAT’S THE BIG IDEA?
A Christian’s life is characterized by godly love, not unhealthy anger.
WHY DOES IT MATTER?
Unhealthy anger can separate us from God and destroy our relationships with others, but love allows us to demonstrate and experience Christ’s character.
HOW DO I LIVE IT?
Set aside unhealthy anger and follow Jesus’ example of loving others sacrificially.
>>Activity Option: ANGER:
Discuss with students the following questions:
• What are some of the obvious signs that someone is angry? What are the more subtle signs? Which ones do you display?
• Is it ever okay to get angry? When? When is it unhealthy? [Hint Appropriate anger leads to positive results.
For example, being mad at injustice in society can spur helpful action. God expresses wrath toward evil. Anger is unhealthy when it leads us into sin — Eph 4:26-27.]
Guide: Explain that anger is a powerful emotion that can affect a person’s appearance, words, actions, and reasoning ability. Some kinds of anger are acceptable, but others aren’t. In the life of a Christian, this ungodly sort of anger is a severe hindrance to communicating the gospel effectively.
As believers, we must learn to control our tempers. We can keep anger in check by allowing God to fill us with His love and peace.
>> Inform and Discuss
A. UNHEALTHY ANGER:
- Read or have a volunteer read Matt 20:20-27. How do you feel when those around you seek special recognition or treatment?
[Hint: Note that it is common to react with frustration, bitterness, or even jealousy, especially if we want that recognition ourselves.]
Guide: Explain that Jesus exposed how the disciples’ anger revealed their prideful desire for recognition. Then He explained that the needs of those around them should take priority over their personal ambitions. Instead of seeking control among earthly leaders, Jesus wanted His followers to serve others, reaching out unselfishly to the weak and helpless.
What causes conflict between people?
[Hint: Conflict occurs when what one person wants would prevent others from getting what they want. Neither side wants to give in, so a contest begins to decide who wins. When you engage in a sinful wrath, you are not being righteous.]How can believers avoid unnecessary conflict?
[Hint: When we set aside our own desires for prestige to serve others, we’ll experience less conflict. To be great in God’s kingdom, we need to ask the Holy Spirit to replace resentment and competition with godly love and humility. Only then will we be true winners.]Read or have a volunteer read Luke 9:49-50. Ask students if they are sometimes critical or suspicious of believers or ministries that are unfamiliar to them. Why could such feelings be dangerous? Then discuss the attitudes of Christians toward other Christians or their ministries.
[Hint: Although we shouldn’t accept or condone the practices of religious leaders whose lives and teachings don’t agree with God’s Word, we do need to remember that all true followers of Christ are on the same team. That means we should encourage and cooperate with the latter, not compete.]Read or have volunteers read Luke 9:51-56. Why do believers sometimes feel angry when people don’t react positively to an invitation to accept and serve Christ? How could this anger hurt the spread of the gospel?
[Hint: it’s easy to become upset when others don’t give Jesus the respect that He deserves, but it’s not our job to hand out revenge. Jesus doesn’t feel threatened by rejection. As Christians, flying into a rage causes us to misrepresent who Jesus is and what He came to do.]
Guide: Explain that since we, as Christians, are known by Christ’s name, we should also be known for His love and compassion. Vengeance belong to God alone - Rom 12:19.
B. PERFECT LOVE:
- Read or have a volunteer read 1 John 4:7-8. What should a close examination of a believer’s actions and attitudes reveal?
[Hint: Those who have been truly born of God will bear His markings of love and compassion. A believer’s maturity level will influence how easy it is to see love and compassion in the believer’s life.]
Guide: Explain that God’s nature is love. True children of God share in that nature. Because He loves us, we can extend that love to others. True love doesn’t depend on what others think of us or on the whims of emotion. Instead, it rests in God’s unchanging love. Godly love is a decision to work for the good of others.
Read or have a volunteer read 1 John 4:9-12. Discuss the change in John, who before wanted to call down fire (Luke 9:54)
[Hint: In his earthly days, John desired recognition and authority. He viewed things from a worldly perspective. But as He grew in His relationship with Christ, John came to understand what God wanted. He recognized that God showed the ultimate example of love and servanthood through the willing sacrifice of His Son.]In what ways does God’s love differ from the love offered by the world? How should Christ’s example affect our lives?
[Hint: God’s love doesn’t give us what we deserve - condemnation and punishment. Instead, God acted in love, giving His Son as the sacrifice for our sins]
Guide: Explain that, through His life and death, Jesus set the perfect example. When we realize what Jesus has done, we should no longer act angry at being mistreated. They people who come against us need grace - which is also what we needed and received from God.
- Read or have volunteers read James 1:19-20; 4 John 4:143-21. What are some of the ways God helps us to replace anger and the negative emotions that often come with it?
Guide: Explain that God doesn’t expect us to overcome anger on our own. He provides the Holy Spirit, the example of His Son’s sinless life, and His willingness to give us eternal life. He tells us to listen before speaking or becoming angry. And reminds us that human anger (motivated by selfish things) won’t bring about godly righteousness.
>>Involve Them:
Divide the class into groups, appoint a secretary for each group, and give each group paper and pen or pencil. Have students work together in their groups to answer the following questions:
• What are some of the things that make you angry? Which ones can be avoided? What can you do about the ones that can’t be avoided?
• List three ways you can seep your cool when your “buttons” are pushed.
• How can a relationship with Jesus help a person manage his or her anger
Guide: Ask volunteers to share some of the irritants they listed and have students suggest strategies that could be used to overcome anger in a specific situation. Then lead in prayer, or have students lead in prayer, asking God to fill them with His love so others can see Him in their lives.
>>Inspire Them:
Remind students THE BASIC MESSAGE of this study (pg 057), even as you point out the Big Idea behind the study; WHY it matters; and HOW we can live the lesson learned.
SUMMARY:
Conclude by challenging your students to choose not to focus on what they think they deserve, have a right to, or should compete against. Encourage them instead to demonstrate how to best show the love of Christ to believers and nonbelievers alike.
>>Teacher Hint:
Ask Yourself…
- Can Students tell the difference between appropriate and inappropriate anger?
- Do they recognize the causes of unhealthy anger and realize that it threatens their relationship with God and others?
- Are they able to understand the connection between their actions as a Christian and how others view Chris?
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