Perry’s Scope: Christian sermons, lessons, and resources for teachers

 Open

Please share your response to one of the following:

• How do you respond when someone cuts you off in traffic?
• Which animal most describes the way you tend to settle disputes?
  • Ostrich – Ignore them
  • Tiger – Confront them
  • Parrot – Gossip about them
  • Monkey – Joke about them
  • Gazelle – Run from them
  • Other ____________

Study

Read Matthew 5:21-24 and Matthew 18:15-20 and discuss the following with your Group:

• Why do you think this is such a difficult issue for us?
• When have you seen someone ignore a problem and “it went away”?
• What do you think of the “procedure” that Jesus details in 18.15-20? Why will this work? What happens if we don’t follow it? What is a “supernatural by-product” of the process?
• Why is it important that we “straighten out” matter is we are the offender OR if we are offended?
• What do you think is the relationship of resolving our conflicts and worship?

Apply

• For you, what is the hardest part about asking for forgiveness from another person?
• What is the hardest thing about giving forgiveness?
• What is the hardest thing for you about any kind of conflict?
• What do you need to do to improve?
• As a community of faith, how can we do better at resolving our issues?