Conflict Provides Opportunities

CONNECTING with my Lord
How did the Lord model the Four “G”s of a God-centered response?
 Glorify God: John 8:29 “I always do the things that are pleasing to Him”; He fulfilled the Plan of Redemption!
 Getting the log out: He didn’t sin –but became sin for us
(2 Cor. 5:21 – GREAT VERSE!)
 Gently restore: Col. 1:19-20 – He showed His love
 Go and be reconciled: John 1:29 – He was the Lamb that bore the wrath of God and the Prince of Peace that restored our relationship to our Creator!
CONNECTING into my Life
Open Accountability [Discuss these openly]
How do your responses usually affect the people around you?
[could make them defensive, want to avoid you, etc. or it could bring joy, hope, answers they’ve been seeking, etc.!]
How would your response to conflict change if you really saw conflict as an opportunity to glorify God, grow to be more like Christ, serve others, and demonstrate the power of the gospel?
[various answers]
Personal Evaluation [private consideration]
Are you typically an escape responder, a peacemaking responder, or an attack responder to conflict? Why do you typically respond that way?
What is at least one practical way that you can apply God’s truths and purposes regarding a specific conflict in your life, whether it is a current conflict or a common conflict in your life?
CONNECTING into my Church!
Why is it so important that we as a church know how to solve problems? What will happen if we don’t solve problems?

What reputation do you want FBC to have in the eyes of others?

Prayer Time: Pray for our church, ABF, families, individuals, to be Peacemakers!

 ESCAPE responses: Peace-faking
 ATTACK responses: Peace-breaking
 PEACEMAKING responses: Peacemaking
Personal: Overlook Prov. 19:11
Reconciliation Matt. 5:23-24
Negotiation Phil. 2:3-4
Assisted: Mediation Matt. 18:16
Arbitration 1Cor. 6:1-8
Accountability Matt. 18:17-20
END OF DVD – Open Discussion/Small Groups
CONNECTING IT! – GROUP DISCUSSION
What was the most common topic of discussion in your home as a youth that caused conflict in the home?

What was a situation in your life that at the time was a trial but turned out to be a blessing? How so?

Think of a recent conflict you experienced – What did (does) God want to teach you through that situation? [Note: Gal. 5:22-23]

CONNECTING to the Word – Small Groups
 Read the Bible passages below & briefly note the situation these people experienced.
 Select whether their response to the situation was an escape response, peacemaking response, or attack response and whether those responses were wise or foolish, and then briefly explain the basis of your selection.
• Genesis 16:1-6 – Abram, Sarai, and Hagar
Response: Abram: ESCAPE (Denial) / foolish Sarai: ATTACK / foolish; Hagar: ESCAPE / foolish
Explanation: Neither one attempted to solve the problem God’s way – running from the problem is like Gen. 3; Abraham should have asked forgiveness and taken the leadership to solve the problem in a Godly manner!

• Genesis 39:1-18 - Joseph and Potipher’s wife
Response: Joseph: ESCAPE (wise – exception!); Potipher’s wife: ASSALT (foolish)
Explanation: She was wrong, lied, etc. Joseph – possibly should have been thinking about the possibility of being alone in the home and made other arrangements; but running was wise!

• Daniel 1:1-16 – Daniel
Response: Daniel: PEACEMAKING (Negotiation) / wise
Explanation: He was trying to maintain his personal holiness and loyalty to the LORD, yet be respectful to the King, but he had a HIGHER KING to please, so he tried to solve the problem.

• Acts 6:1-7 - The Apostles
Response: Apostles: PEACEMAKING (Mediation – Note: We can’t be certain about this being a suggestion or a binding decision) / wise
Explanation: This allowed the Apostles to focus on the ministry of the Word, while others served – it does fit later with Paul’s words in Eph. 4:11-16.

• Acts 9:20-28 – Saul (Paul) and Barnabas
Response: Saul: ESCAPE / wise; Barnabas: PEACEMAKING / (Mediations) / wise
Explanation: Paul’s life was in jeopardy, so like Joseph, he took the ESCAPE route; later he was persecuted; Barnabas gave the others the ‘facts’ – which goes a long way in solving problems!

For Further Study:
• Genesis 37:17-28; 45:1-7; 50:15-21 – Joseph & brothers
• 1 Samuel 18:1-11; 19:9-12 – King Saul & David
• 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-11 (see Mat. 18:15-20) - Paul

CONNECTING with my Lord
How did the Lord model the Four “G”s of a God-centered response?
 Glorify God:

 Getting the log out:

 Gently restore:

 Go and be reconciled:

CONNECTING into my Life
How do your responses usually affect the people around you?

How would your response to conflict change if you really saw conflict as an opportunity to glorify God, grow to be more like Christ, serve others, and demonstrate the power of the gospel?

Personal Evaluation:
Are you typically an escape responder, a peacemaking responder, or an attack responder to conflict? Why do you typically respond that way?

What is at least one practical way that you can apply God’s truths and purposes regarding a specific conflict in your life, whether it is a current conflict or a common conflict in your life?

CONNECTING into my Church!
Why is it so important that we as a church know how to solve problems? What will happen if we don’t solve problems?

What reputation do you want FBC to have in the eyes of others?

Prayer Time: Pray for our church, ABF, families, individuals, to be Peacemakers!

 _____________ responses: Peace-faking
 _____________ responses: Peace-breaking
 _________________ responses: Peacemaking
Personal: Overlook Prov. 19:11
Reconciliation Matt. 5:23-24
Negotiation Phil. 2:3-4
Assisted: Mediation Matt. 18:16
Arbitration 1Cor. 6:1-8
Accountability Matt. 18:17-20
CONNECTING IT! – GROUP DISCUSSION
What was the most common topic of discussion in your home as a youth that caused conflict in the home?

What was a situation in your life that at the time was a trial but turned out to be a blessing? How so?

Think of a recent conflict you experienced – What did (does) God want to teach you through that situation? [Note: Gal. 5:22-23]

CONNECTING to the Word – Small Groups
 Read the Bible passages below & briefly note the situation these people experienced.
 Select whether their response to the situation was an escape response, peacemaking response, or attack response and whether those responses were wise or foolish, and then briefly explain the basis of your selection.
• Genesis 16:1-6 – Abram, Sarai, and Hagar
Response: Abram: _____________________ ;
Sarai: ________________ ; Hagar: ___________________
Explanation:

• Genesis 39:1-18 - Joseph and Potipher’s wife
Response: Joseph: _______________________;
Potipher’s wife: ____________________
Explanation:

• Daniel 1:1-16 – Daniel
Response: Daniel: ______________________________
Explanation:

• Acts 6:1-7 - The Apostles
Response: Apostles: _______________________
Explanation:

• Acts 9:20-28 – Saul (Paul) and Barnabas
Response: Saul: _________________________;
Barnabas: __________________________
Explanation:

For Further Study:
• Genesis 37:17-28; 45:1-7; 50:15-21 – Joseph & brothers
• 1 Samuel 18:1-11; 19:9-12 – King Saul & David
• 1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Cor. 2:5-11 (see Mat. 18:15-20) – Paul