Pleasant Valley Church Of Christ - The God Who is Slow To Anger

"A Church With Open Arms" - 5/20/2012 am - Patrick Mead
"Unity of Spirit; Bond of Peace" - 5/20/2012 class - Patrick Mead
"A Path to Unity" - 5/20/2012 pm - Patrick Mead

(Sermons Online page)

The God Who is Slow To Anger

LIFE GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE
Wednesday Night, March 7, 2007
“The God Who is Slow to Anger”

5 Minutes - Welcome / Prayer

5 Minutes - OPEN

Think of a time in your life when you were quick to anger. What was the outcome?

How would the outcome have been different if you had followed the counsel in James 1:19-20?

15 Minutes - DIG

Consider Nahum's description of the Assyrians in Nahum 3:1-4. It is easy to see why Jonah was less than enthusiastic about preaching God's word to these wicked people.

Have you ever avoided sharing God's message with a certain person or group of people? Why did you avoid that situation?

Have you ever felt that the sin in your own life was not as bad as someone else's sin?

How do you feel that we, as a congregation, respond to those within our body who have confessed their sins? Are we a church that extends limited forgiveness?

Does our response depend on what clique the sinner is in? Is our reaction based on what sin that has been committed?

God gave us this story of Jonah to show us that he wants us to extend his grace and mercy to even the worst of people.

When was the last time you experienced conflict which resulted in you being hurt?

How did you handle the situation?

( ) Did you write them off?

( ) Did you pray to be forgiving?

( ) Were you angry enough to retaliate?

( ) Did you confront them in a biblical way?

15 Minutes - REFLECT

Jonah looked at other people's conduct and saw sin, yet he couldn't see his own sins. Why is it easier to focus on other people's sins? Are we going to write people off forever like Jonah did, or are we going to be forgiving and loving like God?

Man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires (James 1:20). What steps can you take within your own relationships to become quicker to listen, slower to speak, and slower to anger? In doing so, how will these relationships be affected?

5 Minutes - CLOSING PRAYER

So, for what should we pray tonight?

In what way(s) have you become convicted?