Group Discussion Guide – Honest to God Sermon Series – Week of February 26

Sermon Discussion Time

Growing up, what shaped your view of anger?
- Was anger something that you weren’t supposed to feel?
- Were there people in your life that you would classify as angry? What made them seem angry to you?

Read Ephesians 4:25-27

There are examples in the Bible of times when Jesus was angry. And because Jesus was without sin, we can see that anger itself is not a sin. When you hear this, what resonates within you? Do you agree?

Though anger itself is not wrong, misdirected anger can cause us to lash out at other people and do damage to relationships. The Bible talks about not letting anger fester in our lives because that is when the damage occurs.
- How are you at dealing with anger in your life?
- Do you express your anger in ways that are healthy or do you need new tools for how to deal with anger in healthy ways?

Often we are reluctant to express our anger and hurt because of fear of conflict or because we believe that anger isn’t something a ‘good Christian’ should express. But not expressing our anger and hurt because of past situations and circumstances can build up inside us and create bitterness and deep wounds.
- Is there a situation or relationship in your life where you need to be truthful about how you are feeling? If you are not sure what the best way forward is, ask the group to pray with you about God’s leading and wisdom for the situation.

Anger is often the symptom of something deeper within us, a hurt, fear, or unresolved issue. Ephesians 4:25 encourages us to be truthful with one another. Sharing with each other is one of the ways that we can let God work in our anger and the root of our anger.
- Are there places in your life, shown by anger, where you could use God’s healing touch? Take time to pray with each other for these wounds and situations and commit to praying for each other going forward.