« Back to Beyond the Message

How to use it: After watching/listening to this week’s message, from March 19, 2023, use the questions to go deeper into the message, with your group…or on your own. The questions will introduce you to the topic, reflect content from the sermon, go ‘Beyond the Message’, & get you thinking about practical applications for your life.

1. Drs. Les & Leslie Parrot said, “conflict is the price we pay for a deeper level of intimacy.” In your own words what does this mean? Do you agree with this statement?

2. Another quote shared this week was “conflict is like fire; it has two aspects: that of burning and that of shedding light.” As you are comfortable, share examples of when you felt the burn of conflict, and of when you experienced the shedding of light.

3. Read Prov 15:1. This verse presents two ways of speaking. Which is more aligned with “reacting” to conflict and which is more aligned with “responding” to conflict? Think of a situation when you may have reacted to a conflict. How could it have gone better if you have chosen to respond with a gentle word instead?

4. Read James 1:19-20. In v.19 is the instruction and in v.20 we see the reason behind it. What does it mean, “anger does not produce the righteousness of God”?

5. Review the five “R’s” of calling a time out and how this strategy works. Whish of your relationships could you apply this strategy?

6. Read Ephesians 4:26-27 and recall what Paul means by saying, “do not let the sun go down on your anger.”

   a. How does unresolved conflict turn into “landmines” in a relationship?

   b. What are some examples of how someone could avoid unresolved conflict?