#1 Your personal experience
Identify your personal experiences of ‘conflict’ ‘opposition’ and ‘negativity’
CONFLICT
OPPOSITION/NEGATIVITY
By yourself, or in a small group, think about these experiences. Ask questions like:
Why did these conflicts arise?
What human emotions were evident in conflict situations?
What makes me feel negative towards people or situations?
What is my automatic reaction towards opposition?
What is my automatic reaction in conflict situations?
#2 What does the Bible say?
Study the following texts. What do they teach us about handling conflict and opposition?
Matthew 5:9-11
Matthew 5:23,24
Matthew 5:38-42
Matthew 5:43-48
Matthew 18:15-35
Romans 12:14-21
1 Cor 4:12-13
Ephesians 5:29-32
Hebrews 12:14a
#3 The example of Jesus
Examine the example of Jesus as he responded to conflict and opposition. What can we learn from the way he handled different situations and difficult people?
Matthew 12:9-13; 13:53-58; 22:15-22
John 5:16-23; 6:41-67; 8:31-59
Matthew 26:50-54;
Mark 14:60-61; 15:5;
Luke 23:34
John 7:1
[From the above sets of references we see two distinct responses from Jesus: [1] where the conflict was about God’s truth, Jesus proactively defended the truth and his claims, even if it meant further conflict. [2] where God’s plan of salvation was at stake, he avoided conflict, he did not defend himself.]
Philippians 2:1-11
Hebrews 4:15
Hebrews 12:2-3
1 Peter 2:18-31
#4 Personal plan
Make a personal Bible-based action plan for coping with conflict and negativity.