Teaching Notes

September 24, 2023

Controversial Jesus
Part 2 | Jesus & Anger

Is the world angrier?
Are we angrier as a society?

NPR Poll: Americans say we’re angrier than a generation ago [2019]
The Guardian: The Age of Rage: are we really living in angrier times [2019]
Forbes: Why is Everyone so Angry and Anxious [2019]
New York Times: Why it seems as if Everyone is Angry with You [2018]
The Associated Press: “…the melting pot seems to be boiling over.” [2016]

COVID was the great _______________.

 

What is anger?
What is its purpose?
What do we do with this powerful emotion?

21  “You have heard that it was said to the people long ago, ‘You shall not murder, and anyone who murders will be subject to judgment.’  22  But I tell you that anyone who is angry with a brother or sister will be subject to judgment. Again, anyone who says to a brother or sister, ‘Raca,’ is answerable to the court. And anyone who says, ‘You fool!’ will be in danger of the fire of hell. 23  “Therefore, if you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother or sister has something against you,  24  leave your gift there in front of the altar. First go and be reconciled to them; then come and offer your gift. 25  “Settle matters quickly with your adversary who is taking you to court. Do it while you are still together on the way, or your adversary may hand you over to the judge, and the judge may hand you over to the officer, and you may be thrown into prison.  26  Truly I tell you, you will not get out until you have paid the last penny.

Matthew 5:21-26

What is anger?

 

Anger is not _______________.

Anger is the light on the dash of your car telling you something is wrong and needs attention.

The purpose of anger is you have a problem to solve.

Anxiety tells you to move away. Anger tells you to move towards.

“Anger, then, is the emotion that arises whenever we encounter what we perceive to be wrong. The emotional, physiological, and cognitive dimensions of anger leap to the front burner of our experience when we encounter injustice.”

– Gary Chapman

Anger is a _______________ emotion.

Why am I really angry?

Definitive Anger vs. Distorted Anger

What do we do with this powerful emotion?

_______________ Anger: [Thumos] is observed with yelling, scream, condemning, criticizing, words or acts of rage; can quickly turn violent.

_______________ Anger: [Orgizo] begins with silence and withdrawal that leads to resentment, bitterness and eventually hatred; internalized anger often expresses itself in passive-aggressive behavior and is characterized by three elements—denial, withdrawing, brooding.

Anger -> Raca -> Fool

Denying anger does not make it go away.

Dealing with Anger Well:

1. Consciously _______________ to yourself that you are angry.

2. Restrain your _______________ _______________.

3. Locate the _______________ of your anger.

4. Analyze your _______________.

5. Take _______________ _______________.

Taken from Gary Chapman’s book Anger

Prayer alone won’t _______________ a relationship. [v.23-24]

Is there someone that you need to reconcile with?

Hoping things get _______________ is not a strategy. [v.25-26]

Are you putting off a conversation you need to have?

 

FURTHER RESOURCES:
Anger by Gary Chapman
Try Softer by Aundi Kolber
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel Van Der Kolk
Changes that Heal by Henry Cloud
Boundaries by Henry Cloud & John Townsend
Forgive and Forget by Lewis Smede
Crucial Conversations by Greeny, Patterson, McMillan, Switzler & Gregory