Bring it together: about 7:15pm

"Hey, glad to see you all here. Welcome to ???

Introduce new people: give them a blow-pop, skittles, or snickers bar, etc.

Announcements: upcoming activities, events

Games: Choose games from Game List

Discussion Starter:
Optional- Skit of Angry staff- Organize ahead a rigged fit of anger against one of your staff or a kid.

Bob the Angry Guy- A dummy you make- introduce him- have students come up with characteristics that Bob has (e.g. Short Temper, violent, pessimist, etc.), write them on paper or cards and tape them to Bob so all can see- Hand out 3x5 cards and ask them to write a sentence or two on helping Bob the angry guy deal with his anger. Maybe read cards a few cards now- or if it works, wait till later.

Discussion questions (small or large group):
1. How many of you know guys like Bob?
2. What do you like about spending time with a guy like Bob?
3. What do you not like about spending time with a guy like Bob?
4. What are some ways a person become a Bob?
5. What are some problems Bob will have in dealing with life and the future?
6. Every one in this room put your hand up. I'm going to make a statement. If its not true put your hand down. (If it's true, leave your hand up) "I have a tenancy to be....(read one of the characteristics pinned on Bob)" * repeat sentence, naming all the characteristics Bob has pinned on him

Wrap up:
If you have 2 or more of these characteristics then you have the potential for being a Bob. We've all said we don't like Bob. Read a few advise cards. (cards will always reflect a few wrong ways of handling anger) "I can tell by the cards you've written, some of you are angry or will continue to be angry for some time."

Couple things about anger:

Anger itself is not bad. It's part of being human- part of the emotional structure God put in us when he made us was the capacity for an emotional response the human body is equipped with an automatic defensive system called "fight or flight". When confronted adrenalin is pumped into the bloodstream, blood pressure increases, heartbeat accelerates, eyes dilate for better peripheral vision, hands sweat, mouth gets dry, muscles supplied with sudden burst of energy- individual is transformed to alarm reaction state involuntary response that occurs whether or not we will it- impossible to ignore- like denying a tooth ache

So, anger is not the problem . . . our response to angry feelings is what gets us into trouble.

Share a personal anger story- one that made the situation worse than it began

You see when we go around showing no self control, two things usually happen. One- we tic off every one around us. Two, we face consequences of our actions.

Many of us have tried to control our lives for a long time now and have failed miserably. God can take "out of control situations" and control them.

If any of you would like to find out how God can help you deal with your anger or how not to be a Bob- fill out this response card.