Big Feelings: Taking Them to God · Lesson 2
Big Feelings: Anger
Genesis 4:1-16; Ephesians 4:26-27; James 1:19-20; Hebrews 12:24 Old Testament PrincipleSelf-control
Cain and Abel were brothers. When God was pleased with Abel's offering but not Cain's, Cain became very angry. Before Cain did anything, God came to him and asked, "Why are you angry?" God warned him that sin was waiting at the door like a wild animal, but Cain could rule over it. Cain didn't listen, and his anger led him to hurt his brother. Anger is a big feeling we can take to God. We can be angry without sinning when we stop at the door and let God help us.
Anger is a big feeling, and God cares when we're angry. His Spirit helps us stop at the door, talk with Him and choose not to let anger lead us into sin.
- CreationGod made it
- FallWe broke it (this lesson)
- RedemptionJesus fixes it
- RestorationJesus makes it new
Memory verse
“Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger, for man's anger does not bring about the righteousness that God desires.”
James 1:19-20 BSB
Christ Connection · Better than
After Cain killed Abel, God said, "Your brother's blood cries out to Me from the ground" (Genesis 4:10). Abel's blood cried out for justice. But Jesus' blood "speaks a better word than the blood of Abel" (Hebrews 12:24). Jesus was killed by angry people too, but His blood cries out "forgive." At the cross He took the anger and sin that separate us from God and from each other, and He made peace (Ephesians 2:14-16).
Hebrews 12:24; Hebrews 11:4; 1 John 3:11-12; Ephesians 2:14-16
The Big Story · Fall
Sin spread from the garden into the first family, and anger turned brother against brother, but God kept coming to sinners with questions, warnings and mercy, pointing to Jesus, whose blood speaks forgiveness.
Teacher Guide
This version includes:
- Background and context for the passage
- Hidden in Plain Sight: the detail most people miss
- The Christ Connection: how this story points to Jesus
- A 50-minute class plan and prep checklist
- Object lesson: Stop at the door
- Ellie’s Lab (science experiment): Hot and cool
- A skit to act out the story
- Review game: Cool down
- Pronunciation help, tips for every age, song ideas and a note for parents
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Preschool (ages 3–5)
God helps me when I'm angry.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 4-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 3 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Smell the flower, blow the candle, Color the calm child
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with brothers and sisters, at home
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
Free preview · Kindergarten – 2nd grade
Cain and Abel were the first brothers. When God was pleased with Abel's gift but not Cain's, Cain got very angry. God came and asked, "Why are you angry?" He warned Cain that sin was waiting at the door like a lion, but Cain could say no. Cain didn't listen and hurt his brother. Anger is a big feeling. God helps us stop at the door and choose what's right.
Memory verse
“Be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to anger.”
Adapted from James 1:19-20
Start here
Ask, "What does anger feel like in your body?" (Hot face, tight fists, fast heart.) Say, "Today's big feeling is anger. Let's see what God said to an angry man."
Bible story 6 min
Adam and Eve had two sons. Cain was a farmer. He grew food. Abel was a shepherd. He took care of sheep.
One day they both brought gifts to God. Cain brought some of his crops. Abel brought the very best of his lambs.
God was happy with Abel and his gift. But Cain's heart was not right with God. So God was not happy with Cain's gift. Cain got very angry. His face looked down.
The rest of the story, discussion questions, songs, Live It and prayer are for members.
Try an activity
Stop at the door 8 min
You’ll need: A paper or tape door outline
- Read a problem, like "Someone cut in line." A child walks toward the door. The class shouts, "Stop!"
- The child says one good choice, like "Take three breaths" or "Tell the teacher." Then they step away from the door.
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
3rd – 4th grade
When God accepted Abel's offering but not his, Cain became furious. Before Cain did anything, God came to him and asked, "Why are you angry?" He warned that sin was crouching at the door, wanting him, but Cain could master it. Cain ignored God and killed his brother. Anger is a big feeling God cares about. It isn't a sin by itself, but we need God's help to stop at the door and not let it lead us into sin.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 8-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: What God says about anger, Anger thermometer
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: with brothers and sisters, online and on screens, at school
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
5th – 6th grade
The first recorded conversation about a feeling in the Bible is God asking an angry man, "Why are you angry?" Before Cain acted, God named the danger. Sin was crouching at the door, desiring him, and Cain had to master it. Cain refused and killed his brother. Anger is a God-given emotion that can be righteous or selfish. Self-control means bringing anger to God at the door, before it becomes sin, and running to Jesus, whose blood speaks a better word than Abel's, when we fail.
This version includes:
- An opening hook and a 10-minute Bible story written for this age, with a Hidden in Plain Sight moment
- 5 discussion questions
- 2 activities: Righteous or selfish?, My door plan
- 6 “Dasch Digs Up” facts
- Real-life connections: online and on screens, at home, with friends
- Song ideas, Live It, a prayer, and a printable student handout (preview below)
Every lesson, every age, from $25 a month. · Log in
More lessons on Self-control
The same principle in other Bible stories.
Jesus the KingJesus Is TemptedMatthew 4:1-11; Deuteronomy 8:2-3After forty days without food in the wilderness, Jesus was tempted by the devil, and He said no every time by trusting God's Word.New TestamentSelf-control
David Spares Saul1 Samuel 24:1-22King Saul hunted David, but one day Saul walked right into the cave where David was hiding. David's men said, "This is your chance!" David could have hurt Saul, but he cut off only a corner of Saul's robe, and even that bothered him. David trusted God to make things right, so he chose self-control.Old TestamentSelf-control
Fruit of the SpiritFruit of the Spirit: Self-controlNehemiah 5:1-19; Proverbs 25:28; Titus 2:11-12While Jerusalem's walls were being rebuilt, Nehemiah heard that rich leaders were taking poor families' land and money. He was very angry, but he stopped to think before he spoke. Then he calmly told the leaders to make it right, and they did. Self-control is a fruit of the Spirit. A person without it is like a city with broken walls, but God's Spirit helps us say no to wrong things and stop and think.Old TestamentSelf-control