Hillside Missionary Church
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Matthew 18:15-20 ESV
Throughout this sermon series we are looking parts of God’s Word that involve the church, and what it looks like for us to be the church that God created us to be. Today, we’re looking at a message in Matthew 18:15-20 that Jesus gives to His disciples about how to handle conflict. By taking a look at what He taught them, we can also learn how to handle conflict.
Realize that conflict is not inherently bad, but if left unresolved will affect your relationship with God
Matt. 5:9, 1 John 4:20, 1 Pet. 3:7, James 3:18
So how do we handle conflict?
1. Evaluate and prayerfully consider what needs to be addressed
Matt. 18:15, Prov. 13:10, 19:11, Luke 23:8-9, Matt. 27:12-14, Eph. 4:31-32
2. Ask God for guidance
Matt. 18:15, James 1:5, 4:1, Prov. 2:6, Mark 11:23
3. Address the other person privately
Matt. 18:15, Eph. 4:26-29, Matt. 7:3-5
4. Listen
Matt. 18:15, James 1:19, Prov. 17:28, 18:2, 13, Rom. 15:2
5. Focus on reconciliation
Matt. 18:15, 2 Cor. 5:18, Col. 3:13-14, Matt. 6:15, James 5:16
6. If necessary, get others involved
Matt. 18:16-17, Prov. 26:17, Phil. 2:3, 4:5
7. Know when to forgive or walk away
Matt. 18:17, 21-22, 6:14-15, 10:14, Eph. 4:32, John 8:58-59, Matt. 12:14-16
Reflection Questions
1. Have you ever studied or hear this passage or topic preached on before? What stood out to you?
2. Do some reflecting on the conflicts that you have had in the past. Are there any common causes, patterns, or cycles of conflict in your life? If so, what step(s) could you take to break them?
3. How do you typically deal with conflict? How close is your way of dealing with conflict to the way that Jesus taught us to deal with it?
4. Of the 7 things Jesus taught us that we need to do to handle conflict well, which one do you need to work on the most?
5. How does love and compassion play into conflict management, and how can we cultivate these qualities in ourselves and others?
6. How would being a better listener help you to navigate conflict management in a more Biblical manor? How can you be a better listener?
7. What do you think a church would look like if everyone in the church dealt with conflict the way that Jesus told us to deal with it?
8. How can you help others (your kids, friends, people in the church, ect.) to handle conflict the way that Jesus taught us to?
9. What is your biggest take away from this message? What did God teach you? Do you feel led to put anything into action? If so, what, and what practical step(s) do you need to take to be obedient to what God has led you to do? Who can keep you accountable to accomplishing this?