Class Lesson August 28, 2011

 

Hey Gang,

This is our last lesson on ways believers are to relate to one another. The world teaches us to always look out for number one, why, because we live in a selfish world. But the Bible teaches something completely different, it says that the Christian life involves how we relate to one another and the fulfillment of certain reciprocal responsibilities. Many of these responsibilities are found in the "one another" commands of the New Testament - we have discussed what it means to Love One Another, to Forgive One Another, Not to Criticize One Another, and this week we end with Let's Agree with One Another.

Family arguments are not uncommon even within loving families. How we handle the conflict is a matter of choice and the topic of today’s lesson.

Conflict Resolution in "The Office"

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In the 4,000 years of world history, the world has only been at peace 7% of the time - that's 286 years. There are 8,000 known treaties that were signed and broken. Many of the wars were waged in the name of God, the church, the Holy Roman Empire, the crusades, Germany's two world wars. Why is the world filled with so much conflict?

 

Quarrels and conflict are part of the experience in every family.

 

Nations - Families - Churches

 

 

Conflict takes place even within the family of faith. This happened between a pastor and his music director. The friction was so great that it spilled out into the worship service. One Sunday the pastor preached on total commitment to the Lord, and the music minister followed with the congregation singing, “I shall not be moved.” The next Sunday the pastor preached on giving and how God’s people should give generously to the Lord. The disgruntled music leader followed with the congregation singing “Jesus Paid it All.” The following Sunday the pastor preached on gossiping and the need to control the tongue, and the music leader followed with “I Love to Tell the Story.” At this point the pastor was frustrated and he told the church that he was considering resigning next Sunday. The music leader then led the song “Oh, Why not Tonight.” The next Sunday the pastor stood in the pulpit and said, “Jesus led me to this church and it is Jesus who is leading me away.” The song leader led the song, “What a Friend we have in Jesus.” 

 

 

How do you deal with conflict in your family?

 

1. Believers should seek to resolve conflict. Abram took the initiative to resolve the conflict with Lot. Abram could have said, “Now, look here, Lot, this land belongs to me. God has promised it to me, not to you. You’ll simply have to move on.” Instead, he surrendered his personal rights and sacrificed his interests. Likewise, it is our responsibility to surrender our personal rights. The Bible is clear; when there is a conflict with a brother or sister we should take the initiative. The life of faith involves learning to live with brothers and sisters. With that said, there are times when brothers and sisters must separate for the sake of peace. This side of heaven, believers will not always see eye-to-eye. Therefore, there are occasions where a parting of ways is appropriate. For example, in a local church, if there are strong preferences or opinions that cannot be resolved, it can be appropriate for a member to depart for the sake of harmony. We must be “diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace”
2. Believers should exhibit tenderness. Abram’s words to Lot were explicitly tender. Twice Abram says, “Please” (lit. “I pray you.”). He then appealed to their kinship—“for we are brothers.” He diffused any anger or defensiveness that Lot may have had and he refused to argue. Now you cannot have a fight if one person refuses to be party to it. It takes two to tangle.
3. Believers should wait on God. When confronted with worrying circumstances that seemed to be clamoring for his immediate action, Abram’s first reaction was to do nothing. He simply waited. He was confident that God would soon make His way clear. On this occasion, Abram refused to take matters into his own hands. Instead, he left his circumstances in God’s capable hands.

How can you be the bigger person in a disagreement that you’re in right now?

1. Take the initiative in resolving the conflict.
2. Let others have first choice, even if that means not getting what you want.
3. Put family peace above personal desires.

How could Abram be so generous to let Lot choose?

•  He put his total trust in God.
• He believed that God would take care of him.

Paul wants to know, ...

III. ARE YOU A PEACEMAKER? – ROMANS 12:16-18; 15:5-6


Be in agreement with one another. Do not be proud; instead, associate with the humble. Do not be wise in your own estimation. Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Try to do what is honorable in everyone's eyes. If possible, on your part, live at peace with everyone.


Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you agreement with one another, according to Christ Jesus, so that you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ with a united mind and voice.


How does conflict among Christians help the message of Christ?

• The Bible teaches that we should see conflict neither as an inconvenience nor as an occasion for selfish gain, but rather as an opportunity to demonstrate the presence and power of God.

 

Opportunities to glorify God – by living in peace, by trusting in the Lord and doing good, by being an example of Christ, by showing others God’s love.
 
Get the Log out of Your Eye – ask yourself, is this really worth fighting over? When we look at our hearts, we may find a reason to seek peace.
 
Restoration is a powerful witness – how many conflicts could have been restored if the conflict had remained just between the two of you? Always speak the truth in love.
 
Go and be reconciled – Forgive as God has forgiven you, look also to the interests of others, overcome evil with good.





The story has it that during the civil wars the north and the south were camped out on opposite sides of the Potomac River. The Union soldiers would play a patriotic tune that was dear to their heart. In response, the Confederate soldiers would play a patriotic tune dear to southerner’s hearts. Then one of the bands started to play the tune “Home, Sweet, Home.” The other side stopped its musical composition and joined in with the melody. Soon after that you could hear voices from both sides singing “There is no place like home.”
Though division was among the Union and Confederate soldiers, the song reminded them that their home was the same home and their destiny was the same destiny. The members of the family of God must remember that as brothers and sister we have the same destiny, the same home, and therefore we must desire a peaceful resolution when conflict arises within the family of faith.



Are you a peacemaker?



As people reconciled to God by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, we believe that we are called to respond to conflict in a way that is remarkably different from the way the world deals with conflict. We also believe that conflict provides opportunities to glorify God, serve other people, and grow to be like Christ.

I hope everyone has had a blessed week as we bring this series of One Anothering lessons to a close.

Remember our Ice Cream Social is Sunday Evening at 7PM!

See you on Sunday!

In His Love,

David & Susan