"The Peacemaker" ~ 2

**Christopher** · Subject: "The Peacemaker" ~ 2 Tue Oct 02, 2007 7:12 pm

July 15, 2007

Mendocino Baptist Church

Sunday School

Responding to Conflict…God’s Way

A Lesson From: “A Biblical Guide to Resolving Personal Conflict” ~ Ken Sande

Glorify God ~

(1Co 10:31 CEV) When you eat or drink or do anything else, always do it to honor God.

“How can I please and honor God in this situation?”

~ Ken Sande : “The Peacemakers”

The Slippery Slope of Conflict:

Ken describes three basic ways that people respond to conflict. Let’s take a look at each of these and see what God has to say about them. As we look into these responses, quietly ask God to reveal to you where you are on the “slippery slope”, and if He would help you to find the spot that would most honor Him.

1. Escape Responses – “People tend to use these responses when they are more interested in avoiding a conflict than in resolving it.” (Peace Faking)

· Denial ~ (Gen 16:1-6, 1Sam 2:22-25)

· Flight ~ (Gen 16:6-8, 1Sam 19:9-10)

· Suicide ~ (1Sam 31:4)

2. Attack Responses - “These responses are directed at bringing as much pressure to bear on opponents as is necessary to eliminate their opposition.” (Peace Breaking)

· Assault ~ (Acts 6:8-15)

· Litigation ~ (Acts 24:1-26, Rom 13:1-5, 1Cor 6:1-8, Matt 5:25-26)

· Murder ~ (Acts 7:54-58, 1John 3:15, Matt 5:21-22)

3. Peacemaking Responses – “These responses are commanded by God, empowered by the Gospel, and directed toward finding just and mutually agreeable solutions to conflict.” (Peace Making)

· Overlooking an Offense ~ (Prov 19:11, 12:16, 17:14, Col 3:13, 1Peter 4:

· Reconciliation ~ (Prov 28:13, Matt 18:15, 5:23-24, Gal 6:1, Col 3:13)

· Negotiation ~ (Phil 2:4)

· Mediation ~ (Matt 18:16)

· Arbitration ~ (1 Cor 6:1-

· Accountability ~ (Matt 18:17)

This weeks challenge: Choose all or some of the above responses and look up the Bible references. Read them in context and decide if the Bible confirms what Ken has outlined here. Feel free to add any verses that you know of or come across that you feel also apply to any particular response.

Commentary ~ Pgs. 17-27 “The Peacemakers” ~ Ken Sande