Going Deeper is designed for use with your small group, a friend, or alone. It aims to create time for you to spend with God and his word, and apply it to your life. Please feel free to use whatever questions that will help you and your group discuss.

1. Opening Prayer : Begin by asking God to open your hearts and minds to understand His character more deeply as revealed in His Word.

2. Introduction.
The third attribute in Exodus 34:6 is the one that trips us up the most. God is “slow to anger.” For many people, knowing God is angry is a big problem; the fact that he’s “slow to anger” is of little solace. However, anger in itself is not the problem. We often think of the unbridled response, the uncontrollable outburst, that culminates in abuse. But God is not susceptible to dysfunctional excesses. Even his anger is coupled with perfect love, compassion and grace. Anger is a natural response from a parent who observes their child being hurt. Likewise, it doesn’t make sense for God to have a dispassionate response to those He loves so intimately. So even when we are the objects of his anger because of our disobedience, we can be assured his response will be slow, and measured, with a purposeful demonstration of his loving care.

Understanding "Slow to Anger"
3. Many of us may be uncomfortable with an "angry God," associating anger with abuse or being out of control. What are some of your initial feelings or "first impressions" when you hear that God is angry?

Understanding "Slow to Anger"
4. We learned that "slow to anger" in Hebrew literally means "long of nostrils," suggesting it takes a long time for God's "nose to burn hot." How does this physical idiom for anger, and the idea of God being "longsuffering," (KJV) change or deepen your understanding of His patience?

God's Anger in Context
5. The sermon gives examples of God's anger in Scripture (Moses' resistance, Pharaoh's oppression, Israel's covenant betrayal). Which of these examples resonates most with you, and what does it reveal about what makes God angry?

God's Anger in Context
6. The sermon suggests that a God who is only compassionate but never angry might be disengaged or uncaring. Do you agree with this? Why or why not? What does God's anger communicate about His investment in His creation?

Personal Reflection & Application
7. The sermon connects God's "long nostrils" to His patience and mercy, which humbles us and offers us peace. How has understanding God's "slowness to anger" impacted your own sense of security, repentance, or gratitude in your relationship with Him?

Personal Reflection & Application
8. Thinking about our own lives, when have you experienced God's "long nostrils" – His patience and restraint – in a situation where you might have expected a quicker or harsher consequence? What did that experience teach you about Him?

Personal Reflection & Application
9. The sermon concludes by inviting us to reflect His patience and care in how we relate to others, especially in the face of injustice." What is one practical step you can take this week to embody God's "slow to anger" attribute in your own relationships or in addressing injustice around you?

Closing Prayer:
End your time together by praying for a deeper understanding of God's character and the grace to reflect His attributes in your lives.