Study Guide and Daily Devotion
Monday, June 13
Read Acts 15 and see how the church worked through its conflict about the
conversion of Gentiles. Notice how the conflict was resolved. Read Acts 15:36-41.
In this version of the break up of Paul and Barnabas the conflict regarded
a personal dispute. Have you had a time when you and a personal friend came
in sharp conflict? What happened? Look over your notes from Sunday’s
sermon and reflect upon what you learned about conflict. Are you currently
in conflict with another? Pray for this person. Is there anything God is calling
you to do to reach out to them?
Tuesday, June 14
Today we’re going to take a closer look at what Jesus said about how
we approach someone who has wronged us. Read Matthew 18:15-17. What do you
learn here about conflict? Have there been times when you have been hurt by
another, but rather than going to them directly you told others of the harm?
What happens when someone comes to you believing you have wronged them when
in fact you have not? How do you think Christ would have you respond? Read
18:21-35. What does this teach us about conflict? Pray for those who have
wronged you in the past, asking for God’s grace to help you forgive
them if you have not done so already.
Wednesday, June 15
Let’s look at the teachings of Paul regarding conflict. When studying
scripture it is important to recognize that scriptural principles are not
a “one size fits all” solution to problems. They are general guidelines
to help us decide how we should act. With this in mind read I Corinthians
6:1-8.What are the general principles here for how we treat one another? What
might be exceptions? Read Romans 12:19-21. How do these verses speak to you?
Is there anyone that God is calling you to bless or do good to whom has in
fact done harm to you? What concepts do you find helpful here for resolving
conflict?
Thursday, June 16
Read Matthew 5:38-48 and Matthew 7:1-5. Finally read Matthew 5:21-26. How
might these verses shape your response to conflict? In our scripture lesson
from last Sunday we learned that Paul and Barnabas were in such sharp disagreement
over whether John Mark should travel with them on their second missionary
journey that they parted company. These two leading disciples were unable
to immediately apply the teaching of Jesus in their own conflict, though there
is evidence that they were later reconciled. We are to strive to live up to
the teachings of Jesus, sometimes it take time to be able to be reconciled
to another. Pray for those whom you struggle to get along with. Pray for the
Lord to help you become the person he longs for you to be.
Friday, June 17
Read Galatians 2:11-16. Here Paul is standing up for a very important theological
principle. Peter and the other Jewish Christians were disassociating with
the Gentile believers, refusing to eat with them, because there were some
Jewish Christians who had come to Antioch who believed that Gentiles had to
become circumcised in order to receive the full fellowship of the church.
Paul was upset as the new converts were being treated as second class citizens,
but worse, the idea that circumcision was necessary to salvation undermined
the very heart of the Christ’s saving grace. Paul rightly confronts
the issue. Sometimes we must be willing to risk conflict in order to do what
is right. Yet even here some have wondered if Paul might not have met privately
with Peter rather than confronting him publicly. What do you think?
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