Conflict Resolution
Isaiah 53:7
(Teacher copy)
Corporate Challenge:
Can you think of a time when your Christianity made the difference in the way you handled conflict? (Be ready to discuss at the end of the lesson.)
When you became a Christian, perhaps the first thing you noticed, in the way of change, was the way you were expected to handle conflict. Before, you were expected to be: 1) Law abiding, 2) Respectful and 3) Willing to fight it out to the bitter end (i.e. never back down). However, upon taking upon yourself the name of Christ, you were suddenly expected to be Godly as well. By the raising of hands, has anyone had their faith in Christ thrown in your face when facing conflict?
Avoiding Conflict
It’s commonly agreed that avoiding conflict is not realistic nor is it spiritual. Can anyone tell why avoiding conflict is not spiritual? The Bible is full of conflict. In fact, from the first story (Adam and Eve) to the last (Judgment of man), conflict is what makes the Bible relevant. It was conflict that brought about the need for a Savior, and in coming to earth, the Savior lived in constant conflict. However, the theme of the Bible is not conflict, but rather, the resolving of conflict. This is why conflict is not to be avoided… we are given tools to help us resolve all conflict.
Therefore, the way a Christian is to avoid conflict isn’t to avoid it at all, but handle it Biblically. NOTE: any resolving of conflict that isn’t Biblical is sin, and often a offers a greater consiquence than the actually conflict. Which is to say, the handling of any conflict should be done to resolve the conflict, not make it worse.
Hearts and Sleeves
Perhaps the problem isn’t always the offender as much as the offended. While we should never provoke others to wrath, we should equally not be so easily offended. How do we do this? Follow these principles:
1) Never go into a situation ready to fight but rather to fix. (Retaliation vs. Restoration)
2) Be ready to give others the benefit of the doubt. (Paranoia vs Practical)
3) Don’t be so concerned about getting hurt. (Risk vs. Reward)
Scripture Time: Turn and be ready to discuss:
Proverbs 14:29 and James 1:19
Matt. 7:12
Luke 6:29
Matt. 5:41
Corporate Challenge
Conflict Resolution
Isaiah 53:7
(student copy)
Corporate Challenge:
Can you think of a time when your Christianity made the difference in the way you handled conflict? (Be ready to discuss at the end of the lesson.)
When you became a Christian, perhaps the first thing you noticed, in the way of change, was the way you were expected to handle conflict. Before, you were expected to be: 1) Law abiding, 2) Respectful and 3) Willing to fight it out to the bitter end (i.e. never back down). However, upon taking upon yourself the name of Christ, you were suddenly expected to be _________ as well. By the raising of hands, has anyone had their faith in Christ thrown in your face when facing conflict?
Avoiding Conflict
It’s commonly agreed that avoiding conflict is not ___________ nor is it ____________ Can anyone tell why avoiding conflict is not spiritual? The Bible is full of conflict. In fact, from the first story (Adam and Eve) to the last (Judgment of man), conflict is what makes the Bible ___________ It was conflict that brought about the need for a Savior, and in coming to earth, the Savior lived in constant conflict. However, the theme of the Bible is not conflict, but rather, the ____________ of conflict. This is why conflict is not to be avoided… we are given __________ to help us resolve all conflict.
Therefore, the way a Christian is to avoid conflict isn’t to avoid it at all, but handle it Biblically. NOTE: any resolving of conflict that isn’t Biblical is sin, and often a offers a greater consiquence than the actually conflict. Which is to say, the handling of any conflict should be done to resolve the conflict, not make it worse.
Hearts and Sleeves
Perhaps the problem isn’t always the ___________ as much as the ___________. While we should never provoke others to wrath, we should equally not be so easily offended. How do we do this? Follow these principles:
1. Never go into a situation ready to ________but rather to ____. (Retaliation vs. Restoration)
2. Be ready to give others the benefit of the doubt. (Paranoia vs Practical)
3. Don’t be so concerned about getting hurt. (Risk vs. Reward)
Scripture Time: Turn and be ready to discuss:
Proverbs 14:29 and James 1:19
Matt. 7:12
Luke 6:29
Matt. 5:41
Corporate Challenge
No comments:
Post a Comment