Secondary: Current Assemblies

ANGER
By Stuart Kerner


Suitable for Whole School


Aim

To realise the difference between being angry and losing our temper.

Preparation and materials

• You might like to prepare readers for the Bible readings.

Assembly

1. Using all your acting ability start your assembly by shouting at the front row of your audience. You could bawl at them for looking scruffy, or for not paying attention. Alternatively you could start by describing how on the way to school your car was 'cut up' by some idiot and how it made you so angry. Make your performance as loud and aggressive as possible.
   
2. Now simply stop and talk to the children normally. Comment on the contrast between the angry you and the normal you.
   
3. When you lose your temper you lose control of your actions, and without control it is much easier to do the wrong thing. As it says in the Book of Proverbs in the Old Testament:
   

   A quick-tempered man does foolish things ... (Proverbs 14.17)

4. James in the New Testament agrees when he says:
   

   Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for your anger does not help you to do God's will. (James 1.19-20)

5. Of course, getting angry isn't a sin in itself. St Paul writes:
   

   In your anger do not sin: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry. (Ephesians 4.26)

6. Even Jesus himself got angry as it says in John's Gospel:
   

   When it was almost time for the Jewish Passover, Jesus went up to Jerusalem. In the temple courts he found men selling cattle, sheep and doves, and others sitting at tables exchanging money. So he made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple area, both sheep and cattle; he scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves he said, 'Get these out of here! How dare you turn my Father's house into a market!' (John 2.13-17)

7. As Jesus showed, it is not getting angry that is wrong - some people believe anger is a gift from God which spurs us into action. It is what we allow ourselves to get angry about: bullying, injustice, and disrespect for the world around us are all good reasons to get angry. This does not mean we should lose our temper or lose control. Remember this saying: It's your temper. Please keep it!

Time For Reflection

Reflection:

This reflection is based on a Buddhist meditation:

• Ask students to close their eyes and relax.
• Recall a situation that made you angry at someone.
• How does it feel to be angry; pleasant or unpleasant?
• How does the other person feel; pleasant or unpleasant?
• Would the situation have changed if you had been more calm and patient?
• Was the situation completely outside your responsibility?
• What was the reason for the other person's behaviour? Was it all their fault?
• What exactly made you angry; a stupid mistake, stubborn or selfish behaviour?
• Do you never make such a mistake? Do you always treat people perfectly?
• Can you expect others to be perfect all the time, when you also do not manage that?
• Try to become angry at the real reason: attachment, selfishness, inconsiderateness etc.
• Try to become angry at your own selfishness, anger, attachment.
• Resolve to reserve your anger for the right causes ...

Acknowledge your anger to self and to God.
Narrow the target of your anger.
Guard your anger against the temptation to sin.
Ensure your anger in targeted righteously.
Restrain your anger through reflection and prayer.

Amen.

Song

'Peace, perfect peace' (Come and Praise, 53)