Teaching

Let’s say our SuperTruth together: “I will not let anger control me.”

Hold up the Steering Wheel image, then the other “control items” you have gathered. Briefly discuss what each one is used to control, such as a car, game, television, toy, etc.

These items are all used to move, lead or steer something in the right direction. They are used to accomplish good things, right?

Now, I am curious; is there someone here who has never been angry? No.

Everyone has experienced feelings of anger. Sometimes we get angry over very small things like someone cutting in front of us in line, or losing a game. At other times, we may become angry over bigger things that we see or experience.

Quickly tape the Anger label to a controller and hold it up so children can see. Manipulate the controls as you speak.

Did you know that anger can control us? Who allowed anger to control him in the Bible story; was it David? No, Saul.

Yes, Saul did. He was angry and jealous of David. Instead of asking God to help him with his feelings of anger, Saul held onto his anger. It grew and began to control him. Have you ever been so angry that you felt out of control? Anger never leads us in the right direction!

Have a volunteer read Psalm 37:8:

Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm.

Hold onto the controller tightly with both hands. Yes, if we choose to hold tightly to our anger, it can control us and will lead to harm. This is not what the Bible tells us to do!

Have a volunteer read Ephesians 4:31:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.

Instead of holding tightly to anger, what should we do? Get rid of it!

Place the controller out of sight. Right; get rid of it! We shouldn’t allow anger to control our lives. Yet there is someone we should allow to control our actions, thoughts and words: the Holy Spirit! Quickly tape the Holy Spirit label to a different controller and show the children. Manipulate the controls as you teach.

Have a volunteer read Romans 8:5–6:

⁵ Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. ⁶ So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.

Our sinful nature leads to evil behavior, which includes anger that is out of control. In comparison, the Holy Spirit leads to life and peace! When we choose to give the Holy Spirit control, we can stop anger, jealousy and revenge in their tracks!

Let’s say our SuperVerse together. Ephesians 4:26:

“Don’t sin by letting anger control you.” Don’t let the sun go down while you are still angry.

Hold up the bed pillow. Have you ever heard someone say, “I will sleep on it and let you know in the morning”? This is a saying which means someone will take time to consider the facts, consequences and options before making an important decision. This way, they can avoid making a rash or quick decision based on emotion or pressure. This is a wise thing to do when you need to think carefully about a decision.

However, when dealing with anger, this isn’t a wise choice to make! According to the SuperVerse, we should never let our anger carry over into the next day. In other words, we should not sleep on it! If we do, the anger can grow as we replay the situation in our minds. Saul probably kept thinking about the songs of praises that the women sang to David for his victories in battle. This led to Saul’s anger controlling him to the point that he tried to kill David! In contrast, David put the matter in God’s hands and gave Him complete control. Let’s read what David said.

Have a volunteer read 1 Samuel 24:12:

“May the Lord judge between us. Perhaps the Lord will punish you for what you are trying to do to me, but I will never harm you.”

Even when David’s own men advised him to kill Saul, David would not do it. He let God judge the situation. David was willing to accept God’s decision, even if it meant that Saul was not punished! When we allow the Holy Spirit to lead us, our lives produce good fruit.

Have a volunteer read Galatians 5:22–23:

²² But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, ²³ gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Hold up the controller with the Holy Spirit label. Now, it is time for our Discipleship Challenge where we will discuss giving the Holy Spirit control of our lives!

Discipleship Challenge/Practical Application

Give David’s Kinnor Pattern, materials, and instructions to children who missed the previous lesson to assemble at home.

Our Discipleship Challenge is about being led by the Holy Spirit and filled with His love instead of jealousy, anger and revenge. Saul was controlled by His anger and jealousy. In contrast, the Spirit of the Lord was upon David. He placed the dangerous conflict with Saul in God’s hands. David was able to soothe Saul’s anger and jealousy for a while by playing the harp or kinnor. When we are led by God’s Spirit, we can bring harmony and peace to situations by showing God’s love.

Would anyone like to share your family discussion of Galatians 5:25–26 from Lesson 1? Did you ask the Holy Spirit to help you with any feelings of pride or jealousy? What was the result?

Continue with the challenge for Lesson 2 by reading Ephesians 4:31–32 and discussing it at home. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal anything in your heart and mind that doesn’t please Him. Ask God to help you forgive others as He forgives you.

Optional: if time allows, read and briefly discuss Ephesians 4:31–32:

Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.