Passionate Faith: Resolves Conflict
This week we return to our study of Passionate Faith. This week we are looking at resolving conflict as a follower of Jesus. This maybe one of things that Christians struggle with through out life. Conflict is something that happens to all of us, because we are human and we live in a sinful world. Learning how to handle it biblically can be life changing. Learning this biblical skill at our students age has the potential to change conflict in churches in the future.
But it comes down to the fact that having conflict between Christians can hurt our faith in so many ways. It derails us from the Gospel mission that we should be on. Conflict is not something that should be passed over or swept aside, it should be dealt with so that the follower of Jesus can live out their Passionate Faith better.
This week we will focus on Matthew 18:15-18, but I encourage you to read all of chapter 18. The parables that proceed verse 15 play an important role in understanding what Jesus is trying to say about resolving conflict.
Matthew 18:15-18
15 “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. 16 But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17 If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18 Truly, I say to you, whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed1 in heaven.
· When you hear the word conflict, what emotions or thoughts come to mind?
· What stands out to you most in Jesus’ teaching about resolving conflict between believers?
· What do you think it means to “gain your brother” (v.15)? How is that different from “winning an argument”?
· How does humility, seriousness about sin, and love for the lost (from the earlier teachings in Matthew 18)
shape the way we should handle conflict?
· How does gossip destroy the process of restoration? Why do you think it’s so tempting?
· How can we as a group or church create a culture that values honest, humble, and loving reconciliation?
· How should our approach differ when the person we’re in conflict with is not a follower of Christ?
· Why is forgiveness essential for restoration, and how do we practice it when it’s difficult?
