Sermon Response Guide
PRIMARY SCRIPTURE:
Proverbs 14:29-30, 22:24-25 ESV
29 Whoever is slow to anger has great understanding,
but he who has a hasty temper exalts folly.
30 A tranquil heart gives life to the flesh,
but envy makes the bones rot.
24 Make no friendship with a man given to anger,
nor go with a wrathful man,
25 lest you learn his ways
and entangle yourself in a snare.
Key Points
- If we don’t learn how to control our anger, it can erupt and do extreme damage to ourselves and to others.
- Our thoughts guide our words and our actions, and anger will quickly throw us off-course.
- Our thoughts are guided by others, ourselves, or God’s word of truth.
- We can use what angers us to lead us into a deeper walk with God by inviting God to search us and help us let go of whatever has too tight of a grip on us.
Memory Verse
Ask God to write this word on your heart this week:
“A fool gives full vent to his spirit, but a wise man quietly holds it back.”
-Proverbs 29:11 ESV
Questions for Reflection
Take time to reflect and respond to these questions on your own in the presence of the Holy Spirit, or with trusted friends or family members:
1: How have you struggled with anger this week?
· When you were angry, what did you do with your anger?
· When you were angry, what did your anger do with you?
2: What do your actions tell you about your anger?
3: What does your anger tell you about your heart?
4: Why do you think anger can so quickly take control of our hearts and our minds?
5: What steps can you take to guard your heart and your mind against anger this week?
6: Read this week’s memory verse (Proverbs 29:11) and answer the questions that follow.
· What value is there in venting our frustrations to God?
· What value is there in refraining from sharing our frustrations with others?
7: How can we use what angers us to lead us into a deeper relationship with God?
Pray
Lord, thank you for being slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love. We confess we are quick to anger and in need of your love that covers all our sins. When our anger flares, convict us of what ignited the flame, and help us to refrain from fueling the fire. Teach us how to guard our hearts and minds against anger that hurts us and hurts others.
