Morning Star Las Cruces

2026 Discussion Questions

March 8, 2026

Series: Good Grief: Where Hurt and Holiness Collide

Title: Anger

Text: John 11:32-37

1. If emotions were weather, which one do you experience most often in this season of your life: Sunny, cloudy, stormy, windy, foggy?

2. When anger shows up for you, where do you usually notice it first, in your body, your thoughts, your tone or your behavior?

3. What stood out to you in the message titled Good Grief: Anger? Did anything feel new, surprising or especially resonant? What did you want to discuss?

4. Read John 11:32-37. Listen closely to Mary of Bethany's words to Jesus. What do you hear underneath her statement? What emotions seem to be present in her grief?

5. How does Jesus respond to Mary's anger and sorrow in this moment? What do you notice about his posture, presence or silence? What does he refrain from doing that you might expect?

6. Anger is often described as a secondary emotion, a protective measure to shield us from experiencing other unpleasant feelings underneath. In your own experience, when has anger been connected to loss, love or unmet hope rather than bitterness or harm?

7. Read Psalm 42:9-11. How does the psalmist speak honestly about anger, sorrow and faith at the same time? What does this passage suggest about bringing strong emotions to God?

8. Read Ephesians 4:26-27. What guidance does this text offer about anger? How does it help distinguish between anger that is acknowledged and anger that becomes destructive?

9. What helps you express anger in ways that are honest and faithful rather than dismissive or harmful, to yourself or others?

10. How might your group pray for you as you learn to bring anger, especially anger rooted in grief, into God's presence with trust and openness?