EXTRA! Ideas for Adults – Navigating Family Conflict – Session 2

Date: October 20, 2024

Abram and Lot: Family Rights 

The Point: Trust God when challenged over your rights or possessions. 

Get Into the Study

Share the following after discussing The Bible Meets Life:

On Tuesday, October 1, over forty thousand dockworkers walked off the job on strike after port ownership and the International Longshoremen’s Association (ILA) failed to reach an agreement on wage increases and no port automation. This strike closed fourteen ports on the east and gulf coasts of the United States, cut off about half of US exports, and could’ve caused shortages on everything from food to Christmas décor. These supply chain shortages could then cause prices to rise in an economy already struggling with inflation.

The ILA rejected an offer from port ownership on October 1 because it failed to fully meet their demands. Dockworkers began striking that night, and photos of them with picket signs quickly made the rounds on social media. Union president Harold Daggett took an aggressive stance when interviewed about the strike, saying that he would cripple [the port owners] with the strike. While the strike has been called off, the tension between the two sides still exists.

Conflict is inevitable when humans work together in close proximity, but as believers, we are called to seek God and work toward peaceful resolution. When conflict arises, we should prayerfully seek wise counsel and do what best honors God in the situation.

Get Into the Study [Option from the Adult Leader Guide]

In advance, play a video clip showing someone who is intense about competition. Then ask Question #1.

Study the Bible

Share the following after discussing Question 3:

Hurricane Helene ravaged the east coast in late September, causing devastation from Florida to North Carolina. In the midst of this tragedy, many are coming together to bring relief to survivors via monetary of material donations.

Former director Robby Starbuck has been working with people through X, formerly Twitter, to bring supplies and Starlinks to the people most affected in Tennessee. Starbuck started by sharing a list of needed supplies and asked for people to share the post if they couldn’t donate so they could work together to meet the needs of survivors. He later shared people who helped install the Starlink systems so satellite internet would be available while phone lines were down.

Others were donating money to relief efforts, like country star Morgan Wallen. Wallen donated $500,000 and said that he and his team were working with others to see how they could help most effectively. After Wallen’s donation, several other celebrities and politicians began donating money and calling for their followers to do the same if they were able.

Those who have donated supplies, money, time, and prayers have been putting the needs of others above themselves as they come together to help a community in need. As believers, we are called to help meet needs where we can. We can prayerfully see how we may meet needs materially or spiritually in difficult times like these.

EXTRA was written by Emily Duncan, a Southern California native currently living in West Georgia with her husband, daughter, and two dogs. God saved her from Wicca when she was sixteen, and she now serves alongside her youth pastor husband as a girls’ leader at New Hope First Baptist Church in Dallas, GA. Emily spends most of her time tangled in yarn while crocheting or reading outside in the hammock.

Study the Bible [Option from Senior Adult Leader Guide]

Optional Activity: In advance, make arrangements to have someone lead your group in singing “I Surrender All” (No. 433, Baptist Hymnal, 2008) to share the lyrics or to play a recording of the song you chose. Encourage the group to reflect on the words. Lead them to understand that living out these words will lead us to trust God when challenged over our rights and possessions.

https://hymnary.org/media/fetch/143374

Additional Questions

Icebreaker

• What is the most scenic view you have ever seen?
• What historical or famous figures come to mind when you think about “fighting for your rights?”
• When playing a game, does your family tend to enjoy it or get caught up in the competition?
• What would your dream acre of land look like?
• What is your most prized possession?

Genesis 13:5-8

• When have you witnessed an abundance of possessions being a source of conflict?
• How can we lead others towards resolution when conflict is at hand?
• How can we live so that our possessions don’t become a source of conflict?
• When have you seen possessions cause  family conflict?
• What can we learn from Abram’s actions about the importance of solving conflict?
• When have you seen someone go the extra mile to resolve a family conflict?

Genesis 13:9-11

• When have you benefited from a family member placing your needs before their own?
• How can we engage in conflict resolution before the conflict escalates?
• In what ways is putting others’ needs before your own an active sign of trusting the Lord?
• What fears or desires could have kept Abram back from holding the land loosely?
• What can we learn from Abram from this passage?

Genesis 13:14-18

• How has God proven Himself faithful to you?
• When has God’s outcome been more than you expected?
• Why is worship such a good response to receiving God’s blessings?
• When have you witnessed God’s blessings on people who follow His direction?
• What are some obstacles in our lives that make it difficult to trust God?

For Those in Your Group

Send the following link to your group members as either a teaser before the group meets or as a follow-up thought:

Insisting on Your Rights is Not Always a Good Thing

Podcast

Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.

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