I Can Have Peace When I’m Angry

Co-Host We’re going to begin with one of Ethel’s least and most favorite games, Exploding Kittens.

Host This one has a twist. You will answer questions about angry animals. Whichever letter you choose will be the first letter of the answer to the question. If you get it correct, then you can earn points for your team.

 Co-Host But, if you pick the exploding kitten, you lose all your points. Let’s play.

Co-Host Those were some angry animals.

Host Some were, but some are mild, that is, unless you push them too far and then they react. That happens to humans, too.

Co-Host Today we will discover how to handle anger. Speaking of anger, I heard that Ethel was pretty angry.

Host We should check on that. First stand to your feet and tell someone nearby which animal from the game you would least like to meet.

Co-Host Ethel is angry. She’s really upset because of what Penelope said about her.

 Host Have you ever felt like Ethel? Tell me about a time at school when you got super mad.

Co-Host When I feel angry, it’s hard not to act on those feelings.

Host You feel like this soda can. I need an assistant to help me with this experiment. (Bring up assistant) I need you to shake up this soda can. Now open it.

Co-Host Hold on. (Co-Host continues shaking the soda) We need to prepare for this. Take your shoes and socks off. Put on this poncho, safety goggles, and stand in this pool. Now you can open it.

Host That’s like anger. Someone or some situation shakes you up. The whole thing gets you so mad. All the anger and rage are ready to explode, but do you have to explode just because you feel like exploding?

Co-Host That soda can exploded, so it seems hard not to do it.

Host Before we finish the experiment, let’s see what our Big Point says. I need a volunteer to help us reveal it.

Co-Host After we count down from three, you can press that button and then read the Big Point.

Host Let’s all say it together, I Can Have Peace When I’m Angry!

Co-Host It seems like our Big Point says that you can choose to be calm and peaceful, even when you feel angry.

Host You can, when you trust God to help you. God’s presence in your life brings peace so that you can choose to be a peaceful person instead of exploding. I need our assistant in the pool to shake another soda can.

Host Before you open it, do this. Flick the sides of the can several times. This movement knocks the carbonation, or bubbles, off of the sides of the can. This reduces the pressure. Now open it.

Co-Host The next time I feel really angry, I’m going to ask God for help to choose peace and deflate the anger. Just like we reduced the pressure inside the soda can, God can knock those angry feelings away from us.

Host That means that we don’t have to explode. Let’s see if Ethel will make that choice.

Host Do you think Ethel is making the right choice? Do you ever wish that you could have a karate match against a person who’s driving you nuts?

 Co-Host We may feel angry, but that doesn’t mean we have to act on our feelings. God gives us the power to choose our actions in spite of our feelings. Let’s say our Big Point,

Co-Host

I Can Have Peace When I’m Angry!

Host Let’s see what the Bible says about peace by checking out today’s Big Verse.

Co-Host After we count down from three, hit the button, and then you can read the verse.

Co-Host Matthew 5:9 (NIrV) says, “Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called children of God.”

Host When we face a difficult situation, we can do one of two things. We can make it worse or work to make it better. It’s all up to you.

Co-Host No one can make you angry. People can hurt you. They can say mean things. They can aggravate you, but they can’t make you angry. Anger is an emotion that pops up in these situations, but it’s our choice what to do with it.

Host You can embrace the anger or let it go. We need an assistant to help us. Can you blow up this balloon?

Co-Host You know what? That’s taking a little too long. Let’s use this.

Host When you choose to run with those angry feelings, it’s like adding air to this balloon. What’s going to happen if our friend keeps adding air and doesn’t stop?

Allow the child to add air until it pops.

Co-Host It pops. The anger blows up the problem. That’s not God’s best for us. Choosing the peace that comes from God deflates the problem.

Allow the child to blow up the balloon and let it go.

Host Being a peacemaker means working to make the problem better, even if it means you choose not to get back at the person who is wrong. God’s peace can heal a situation. Instead of taking matters into your own hands, trust God to handle it. Let’s take a moment to stand and worship our God, who loves to help us.

When you’re in the heat of the moment, and someone like Nabal is being nasty and mean, it’s hard not to give into anger. However, you can make steps toward making God’s way your natural way of responding. If you plant God’s words in your heart, then that’s what will come out of you when you’re pushed to your limit. Let’s do that now. Let’s repeat today’s Big Verse. This is called meditating on God’s Word. It’s a great way to get His truth in you. Let’s repeat this prayer a couple of times: “God, please help me be someone who makes peace. I want to be called Your child.” (Repeat at least twice) Keep repeating that throughout the week so that you are ready to make peace.

Co-Host I’m glad to see that Ethel chose to make peace even though Penelope wouldn’t apologize.

Host She made the same choice as David in the Big Story. He let go of his anger, even though Nabal was still rude. I’m glad Ethel listened to our Big Point,

Host I Can Have Peace When I’m Angry!

Co-Host Of course, Ethel had help. Alex played the part of peacemaker, instead of instigator, just like Abigail helped David make a better choice.

Host That’s a great story to share with your family when you do this week’s Big Do.

Host Play a game with your family. When you get out or lose, show how you can have peace when you feel angry by not reacting to losing. Talk with your family about how you can continue to make that choice.

Co-Host Let’s play a game right now. We learned the importance of deflating our anger by choosing God’s peace instead of angry actions by watching a balloon deflate. In this game, two contestants will compete to see who can use the air from a deflating balloon to knock the most cups off the table in 60 seconds.

Host The balloons are already inflated, but you may have to add air as you play. Ready? Go!

Host Great job. Let’s turn and connect with our small groups and talk about what we’ve learned from the Bible.

• Why was Ethel angry? Have you ever had someone tell a lie about you? How did that make you feel?

• How did David feel when Nabal disrespected him? David was angry What did David want to do? He wanted to kill Nabal

• How did Abigail make a wise choice? She was a peacemaker How could you be a peacemaker the next time you or one of your friends gets angry?

• What did Herman tell us to do with our families in the Big Do?

• Our Big Point says I Can Have Peace When I’m _______!

  • Angry
  • Annoyed

• What was the name of the rich man who was rude to David?

  • Nathan
  • Nabal

• What did Alex suggest Ethel do when she felt angry?

  • Fight
  • Talk

• Who was Nabal’s wife?

  • Abigail
  • Ruth

• David and his men had helped Nabal in the past.

  • True
  • False

• Matthew 5:9 (NIrV), “Blessed are those who make peace. They will be called _________ of God.”

  • Enemies
  • Children

• What is one way to choose peace when you feel angry?

• Why is it wise to choose peace over anger?

• How did Abigail act as a peacemaker?

  • She made peace with David
  • She encouraged Nabal to fight

• What challenge did Herman give us as this week’s Big Do?