This week, I have chosen three separate New Testament passages to examine and apply personally to help in areas of conflict resolution specifically and relating to others in general. We will use an overview of the Bible study techniques we have learned over the past six weeks. Happy Studying!

Text: Romans 12:2-21

Key Verse: “Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor” (Romans 12:10).

• As you read through the text, ask yourself these questions:
  1. Verses 3: Am I stuck in the comparison trap? Constantly comparing myself to others? Do I judge whether I am good or bad based upon a standard someone else is setting or based on the work of Christ in my life?
  2. Verses 4-7: If you are a born-again believer, then God has entrusted you with a spiritual gift to use as it benefits the whole body of Christ. Do you know what yours is? Are you using it?
  3. Verses 9-11: Is your love genuine? Are you zealous for serving Christ and others?
  4. Verses 12-21: How am I to respond in situations of difficulty?
• Go to http://biblehub.com/ and type in “Romans 12:10” in the very top box. Click Enter. Then, take a look at the following:
  1. Read through the various translations of this verse. Which one(s) do you like best? (Translations including “take delight in,” “outdo,” and “excel” really stand out to me.)
  2. Now, click “Interlinear” at the top of your screen. The verse will pop up showing both the Greek and English words. Click on the number directly above the following words to find their Greek definition in Strong’s Concordance:
     • Philadelphia (5360):
     • Philostorgoi (5387):
     • Time (5092):
     • Proegoumenoi (4285):
     • (This is the one for “outdo” or “excel” and I love how it is defined! We should set examples in loving/honoring/respecting one another!)
• List at least 3 things you can take from this passage of scripture and apply to your life as you relate to others and work to resolve conflict.

Text: 1 Peter 3:1-17

Key Verses: “Whoever desires to love life and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil and his lips from speaking deceit; let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it” (1 Peter 3:10-11).

*Side Note* This is the Family Theme Verse in our household. I don’t remember when or how I stumbled across it, but I had had just about enough of the bickering/fighting with one another. So, the kids are working to memorize, understand and apply verses 10-11, but we also regularly take a look at the surrounding verses (and I seek to apply this to our family as a whole, not just to sibling conflict). So, on any given day, when the kids are fighting and someone says, “He/she did it first,” you may hear me say, “Do not repay evil for evil!” Or, the other night, when I was tired and ready for them to just go to sleep already, hiding a smile, I said, “Whoever desires to love life and see tomorrow, should go to sleep now!” 😉

• As you read the passage, ask yourself these questions:
  • Who are you, Lord? What do these verses say about God’s character?
  • What do you want from me? What kind of wife should I be? How can I set an example for my unbelieving (or struggling) husband? How does God want me to relate to others—especially those that hurt or aggravate me? What does it mean to speak with integrity? How will God bless me for doing what is right? How can I prepare my heart (and for what purpose) during suffering?
• Try your hand at Verse Mapping 1 Peter 3:10-11. If you missed the video from Week 3 on Verse Mapping, here is the link: https://vimeo.com/121206941.

• List at least 3 things you can take from this passage of scripture and apply to your life as you relate to others and work to resolve conflict.

Text: Matthew 18:15-20

Key Verse: “Again I say to you, if two of you agree on earth about anything they ask, it will be done for them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am among them” (Matthew 18:19-20).

*Side Note* Sometimes, I think we get the wrong impression that God wants us to avoid conflict by forgiving, ignoring and overlooking it. While I do believe, there are some things we are called to “let go” and aren’t worth fighting over (see Colossians 3:13), there are times when issues need to be addressed. This passage from Matthew gives us a guideline for handling conflict between brothers and sisters in Christ.

• To fully understand this passage, I believe context is key. Answer the following:

• Who is speaking?
• Who is the audience?
• How do the surrounding stories set the tone for this passage? (See Matthew 18:12-14 & Matthew 18:21-35) What is Jesus emphasizing in these passages? What should be our motive when correcting (or addressing a hurt) other believers?
• Read through your Bible’s introduction to the Gospel of Matthew. What do you learn? If you are using a study Bible, you should find this at the beginning of the book. If you do not have access to a study Bible, you can go to https://www.biblegateway.com/ and follow these steps:
  • Find Matthew from the drop down “Book List” menu. Click on it and choose a chapter.
  • On the top right hand corner of the passage, click on “Study This.”
  • Click on “Encyclopedia of the Bible” and choose Gospel of Matthew.
• List the 4 steps you should follow when addressing sin in the life of another believer (as detailed in this passage).