Let's Talk About Anger

Let's Talk About Anger  

Study Guide 

Message for Sunday September 8, 2019

This Week Reading:  1 Samuel 25:32-39 (Read 1 Samuel 25:1- 39 for background) 

Main Themes:  Anger, Sin, Revenge, God's Justice   

Background Information:
David, a young man, has been chosen by God to be the King of Israel. He is not yet king and is living out in the wilderness with his men. King Saul, the current king, is trying to kill David. While in the wilderness David and his men are near a huge flock of sheep belonging to a man named Nabal. David and his men on their own initiative protect the flock and the shepherds of Nabal from attacks by thieves and animals. In addition they never take anything for themselves. 

When the time for shearing (cutting) the sheep's fur comes Nabal held a huge celebration party with an abundance of food. David heard about it and set some men to Nabal asking for some food (verses 4-9). Nabal instead of doing the right thing and thanking them insulted them and made fun of David and gave nothing to them (verse 10-11). When David heard how Nabal responded he became angry and ordered his men to put on their swords and he led them out to attack and kill Nabal and all of his people (verse 12-13). Abigail, Nabal's wife was told what was happening and she quickly put together food and supplies and went to give it to David to intervene so he would not kill everyone (verse 14- 22). Abigail intercepts David and pleads for forgiveness and offers David the supplies and food she has brought (verses 23-31). That brings us to the verses that are this weeks reading.

Key Verse: God has kept his servant (David) from doing wrong and has brought Nabal's wrongdoing down on his own head. 1 Samuel 25:39b

Point of Light Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group:

Our goal is to grow as disciples of Jesus and to make disciples of other people by inviting them to our group. Each person here has the potential to start and be the leader of a new group and multiply God's kingdom. 

B. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Here is one you may want to use Ever Be  (or pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen)

C. Opening Question: What are some things that make you angry? On a scale of 1-10 (1 being poorly and 10 excellent) how do you handle your anger when you get angry?

D. Read Background Information

E. Word: Read 1 Samuel 25:32-39 aloud together. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story - keep at it until everyone knows the story)

1. Have someone tell the story in their own words

2. Ask others to add any details that were missed

3. When all the details are filled in have some to tell the story in their own words.

F. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion. Use the general questions and the digging deeper questions however you see fit and whatever order you think best)

1. What new thing did you discover in the story that you did not know before?

2. Put yourself in David's position. How do you think he felt? What was he thinking? Can you relate to him? Put yourself in the Abigail's  position. How did she feel? think?

3. What did you learn about God from the story? 

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

6. What will you take away from this discussion?

7. What will you do with what you have learned? (make sure everyone answers this)  

E. Digging Deeper Questions: (You may want to divide into 2 groups men and women separate): 

1. What is the root of David's anger in this story? Can you relate to him? In what way?

2. Why is anger such a hard emotion to deal with?  

3. What does it mean , "in your anger do not sin?" (Ephesians 4:26)?
4. Read Romans 12;17-21. Discuss and talk about ways you can apply this.  
4. What can you do to help yourself from not acting in anger? 

F. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join                                     the group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2                               groups one of male and the other female.

G. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members to do different parts of the meeting as you prepare them)                      (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.