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What’s On Your Mind Week 2: I’m Mad

SERIES TITLE

What’s On Your Mind?

series overview

So, what’s on your mind these days? Really. We can paint on a smile and play the image management games, but inside we all struggle with our thoughts, our stress, our confusion, our fears. Let’s face it…life is hard. Jesus told us it would be. And the past couple of years have a lot of us mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually at a breaking point. So maybe it would do us all some good to honestly talk about it. To remove any stigma, any embarrassment, any “faking fine,” and as a family open up some life-giving dialogue and invite God to meet us there.

sermon TITLE

I’m Mad

weekend in review

This week we are talking about anger because anger can hurt many people and cause our soul to implode in the process.

WARM UP
Begin with some conversation, checking in on how people are doing. You can talk about whatever you’d like, but here are a few potential questions to get the conversation going.

  • What is the best piece of advice you have been given regarding self-care?

  • How are your goals or resolutions coming along for 2022? Did you include one for spiritual care and growth?
DISCUSSion

Select 5-6 questions from the list below to guide your discussion time.

  • The average person spends 2 ½ hours a day on social media and 30 minutes a week in God’s Word. What would your life look like if you reversed the time spent?

  • Read James 1:19-20. Mike talked about how there are different kinds of anger. In the Bible, we see times when God has shown righteous anger. Evil and oppression in this world should stir something in us. Share a time of “healthy” anger about something that moved you to act.

  • Have you experienced anger that propelled personal change in your life, like breaking an addiction, entering rehab, or seeking counseling?

  • Read Colossians 3:8. Which of these are more difficult for you to put away? Why? What steps do you need to take to be victorious in this area?

  • Can you relate to Dallas Willard’s statement that he gauges his spiritual condition by his lack of irritability?

  • Mike listed several types of people and their anger. Take turns reading the verses. Which tendency to respond when the feeling of anger arises hits close to home for you? How can knowing our triggers help us manage or overcome them?
  • Mike challenged us to reflect before we react. Our anger tends to divert attention away from the real issue most of the time. Think about a time you were angry. Can you identify the root emotion that triggered the anger?

  • Read Psalms 139:23-24 How often do you ask God to search your heart? Are you willing to stop when anger arises and seek his will for the situation and emotions you are feeling?

  • Read Proverbs 29:22 and Proverbs 11:29. Just because someone makes you angry doesn’t mean we don’t have a choice to respond differently. Those moments can change the course of a moment. Think about a time you wanted to react in anger but chose a different path. How did it work out?

  • Read James 3:2-8. What do the three illustrations reveal about the tongue’s power? What have you found helpful in taming your speech?
application
  • Read 1 Peter 3:14-16. Think about the challenges you are facing right now. How can you apply this verse to your life this week? How can you point people to Jesus in difficult moments?

  • Choose one challenging relationship you are in, and this week, think about how you could bless them this week. If you take steps in this area, report back to the group next week.
WRAP UP & PRAYER

Share prayer requests and spend time praying for each other.

Jesus still rules as our king today. He is still calling us to follow his way of the cross instead of our way of the sword. He is still seeking to establish his kingdom in and through us, and his advancement grows one person at a time.

Spend time praying together that, as believers, we may answer that call, lay down our anger, take up our crosses and follow our king.