Getting Started
When have you been really angry?
How comfortable were you with your anger?
Going Deeper
As a group, read John 2:12-22. Describe this scene as you might imagine it. If you had observed this display of anger and strength from Jesus, what would your reaction have been?
Read the following verses and discuss Jesus’ strength as recorded in the Bible. What does this say about Jesus? His character? His power?
Luke 4:24-30
John 7:32, 45-46
John 18:4-6
Yet, His closest followers were confused. Read John 2:17-22. If you saw a man do something like this today, in your neighborhood or place of work how might you interpret his actions? Confused? Excited? Bewildered? Some other response?
Read John 2:19-20. In this passage and many others, Jesus’ teaching baffled His listeners. Think about your own journey of faith. Describe something from the Bible that was confusing to you at first.
Read John 2:23. What about this verse almost feels out of place to this story? At the same time, how might this verse point to a bigger message that Scripture is communicating?
Applying the Message
When you think of the sin in the world, what makes you feel angry? In what way do you identify with Jesus’ anger at what happened at the temple?
How might you stand against sin and, at the same time, stand for the lost of this world (e.g., family, friends, workplace, school)? What might taking this stance look like?
