Icebreaker:
- Do you have any favorite 4th of July memories?
Going deeper
Pastor Harv used the celebration of July 4th to introduce the topic of conflict resolution. Conflict is a normal part of human existence. Whether it comes from getting cut off in traffic, being reprimanded by a boss, or through ideological disputes with an English monarch, conflict is part of our story as humanity. It started in the garden when we set ourselves against God. We are in conflict with God until Christ resolves it with his blood, and we constantly need God’s grace and forgiveness to maintain our relationship with him. And God calls us to reflect his grace and forgiveness in our own relationships. But living in a fallen world, surrounded by conflicts, we often find grace and forgiveness difficult to come by and to give. So, Pastor Harv gave some guidelines for conflict resolution through a passage in Ephesians chapter 4.
Read Ephesians 4:15-32
- Verses 15-16 tell us to hold to the truth in love, and that our goal needs to reflect Christ. All conflict needs to be resolved through speaking truth with love. The issue needs to be clear, and you need to be reminded that you are called to do all things in love, for the betterment of others, drawing them closer to Christ through your actions and deeds.
- Why is it important to start with the truth?
- Why do you need to do all things in love?
- Why are truth and love difficult in conflict?
- How do you overcome that difficulty?
- Verses 17-22 remind us that Jesus is our standard for right and wrong, and our lives will be in perpetual conflict if we don’t follow His standards. We don’t get to choose. In all situations, Christ is our standard. Our words and actions can’t be in conflict with Christ if we wish to live in peace. If you’re not aligned with the truth of Jesus Christ, you will be confused, clouded in darkness and deceit. You need to be committed to living out the truth and love that God has called you to.
- Why is it important to have a common standard?
- Why is it important for that standard to be Christ?
- Why do you actively need to reflect that standard in your life in order to resolve conflicts? (can’t have a double standard)
- What happens when your standard is not Christ?
- Have you seen that in your own life?
- Why is it important to have a common standard?
- Verses 23-32 give us a biblical template to live peacefully with others. The nature of Christ, given to us when we choose to follow Him, needs to sustain our lives and manifest itself in our thoughts (23), attitudes (23-27), actions (28), words (29) and spirit (30-32).
- Can you have just one of these elements, or do you need all of them?
- Why do you need all of them?
- Why is it important to rely on the nature of Christ instead of your own nature?
- Why are you thoughts, attitudes, actions, words, and spirit important for conflict resolution?
- Can you have just one of these elements, or do you need all of them?
Read Matthew 10:34-39, 1 Peter 3:15-17, and Romans 12:14-18
When your standard for truth is Jesus, it will put you in conflict with everything else. There is one truth (John 14:6), only one. Christ’s encouragement is that you endure; he promises that it will be worth it. He has given you a way to live, a new nature, but that doesn’t mean that everything will go well during your time on earth. Conflict is part of our existence, and whether we choose to acknowledge it or not, there a spiritual conflict that takes place every day in this world, a battle over people’s souls. But this conflict will not overcome you (John 16:33). Your life will be a testament to the power, peace, and love of Jesus Christ. Do your best to resolve the conflicts in your life, but never let your standard for truth slip. Proclaim it and live it out. Never give into anger; do everything in love.
Reflect:
- Are you willing to stand for truth and model it in your life?
- Pray for God’s peace to surround you and impact the lives of those around you.
