Date: October 31, 2021
Confidence in the Midst of Conflict
The Point: Trust God when conflict disrupts your relationships.
Get Into the Study
Use the following information to introduce Question #1.
In June 2021, two passengers on a United flight from San Francisco to Las Vegas got into an argument over the armrest positioned between their two seats. The argument grew so heated that the plane, which was preparing for take-off, had to return to the gate where the two passengers were removed from the plane by security officials and detained by police.
Say: An argument over elbows on an armrest resulted in a plane full of passengers having to return to the boarding gate with the flight delayed. Then call attention to Question #1 (What’s the smallest thing you’ve seen someone fight about?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
https://www.sfgate.com/travel/article/sfo-flight-passengers-fight-delays-police-16248923.php
Get Into the Study [Option from Adult Leader Guide]
In advance, play a video of people fighting over something small. Then ask Question #1.
Study the Bible
Use the following information to introduce Question #2.
In July 2021, Forbes magazine published an article titled “The Impact of Covid on Workplace Conflict.” The article described how workplace mediators are seeing increased conflict in the workplace over the course of the pandemic. One new issue is that employees’ conflict with their employer is rising. Some of this is happening as employees return to the workplace after more than a year of teleworking. Employees are not happy with the employers’ plans for bringing people back to the workplace. Other employees are dissatisfied with the way they’ve been treated by their employer during the pandemic. Some of the conflict is arising among employees who feel that their colleagues aren’t following covid safety protocols. Employees are also feeling overworked and overwhelmed because of their added responsibilities at home during covid. Workplace mediators are seeing that the isolation and uncertainty of the pandemic has stressed people’s mental health and this has only contributed to greater conflict in the workplace.
Say: Covid has impacted people’s lives in many ways – one way is with increased conflict in the workplace. Then call attention to Question #2 (What are some things that make conflict worse in our culture?) and invite volunteers to respond.
Information for this post was gleaned from:
— Donna McKinney wrote these Leader Extras. Donna is retired from a career with the federal government of the United States. She is a veteran Bible study group leader living in North Carolina.
Additional Questions
Icebreakers
- What emotions do you experience when conflict seems inevitable?
- How do you typically respond in the midst of conflict?
- What are some areas of life that can often lead to conflict?
Genesis 13:5-8
- How can we approach conflict in a godly way?
- What is your initial reaction to Abram and Lot’s conflict?
- Who among your friends and family is a master at resolving conflict?
Genesis 13:9-11
- Why is it sometimes difficult to respond to conflict with humility?
- Even though he had been promised this land from the Lord, what can we learn from Abram’s open handed offer toward Lot?
- When have you seen humility impact a contentious media thread? a racial disparity? differing political views?
Genesis 13:14-18
- What does this passage teach us about God’s promises about power in our lives?
- What are some lessons about conflict we can learn from this passage?
- When have you seen God fulfill a promise in your life?
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:
Podcast
Click here for a 20-minute podcast for both the group member and the leader.
Magazine Article
This article complements the study. Share this link with your group members.
- Mature Living – Trusting God When Life is Uncertain
Tips for Leading Bible Study Groups
Podcast (adultsleadertraining): Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Stitcher | TuneIn | RSS
Leave a Reply