June 13, 2011
Good Work Wk 7: Unity
Posted by Michael
Learn:
Philippians 3:12-4:3
12 Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. 13 Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, 14 I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. 15 All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. 16 Only let us live up to what we have already attained. 17 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. 18 For, as I have often told you before and now say again even with tears, many live as enemies of the cross of Christ. 19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their stomach, and their glory is in their shame. Their mind is on earthly things. 20 But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21 who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control, will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like his glorious body. 1 Therefore, my brothers, you whom I love and long for, my joy and crown, that is how you should stand firm in the Lord, dear friends! 2 I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3 Yes, and I ask you, loyal yokefellow, help these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of life.
Main Idea:
In this world, we will always have conflict with others. People hurt us, and our natural response is to hurt back or completely withdraw from them. But one sin plus one sin equals two sins. Sins don’t cancel each other out. When you sin against someone or when someone sins against you, your response should be the same: move toward them in love. Go to them in private, acknowledge the conflict, and work to resolve it. If we are not careful, minor conflicts can quickly heat up into bigger ones. When you are in a conflict with someone and your temper is about to flair and you are going to say something that will escalate things, admit to God that you are in over your head. Ask Him for help. Say you are sorry for what you need to apologize for, and forgive whether they extend an apology or not. God will be honored in that.
Know What: Conflict, in a fallen world, is inevitable. But how we deal with it matters.
So What: Unity is a choice. When faced with conflict with another person, we can attack them, disengage from them, or choose to represent Christ well.
Now What: As much as it is up to you, be at peace with everyone.
Discuss…
1. Why is conflict with other people such a normal part of the world we live in?
2. What is your natural (carnal) response to conflict with other people? Do you tend to attack/defend with hurtful words, or withdraw in silence? What are the dangers of both options?
3. How would Jesus like us to respond to conflict (see Matthew 18)? Why is it so hard for us to respond in this way?
4. Why do you think Jesus wants us to initiate reconciliation, whether we are the one who needs to forgive or the one who needs to be forgiven? Is it harder for you to approach someone who you need to forgive, or someone who you need to ask for forgiveness? Why?
5. Describe the last conflict you were in where things escalated quickly and hurtful things were said. What was the conflict actually about? How did things get so heated? If this happened again in the future, what steps could you take to not go down that same path?
6. Do you have anyone in your life that you have unresolved conflict with? How can you move toward them in love? As a group, encourage and pray for one another to take that step.
Next Steps…
You can forgive someone even if they never apologize. Forgiveness is simply choosing to look at that person as a person and not as the culmination of their sin. It means not attempting to get even with them. And it means praying that God would bless them. If there is someone you need to forgive, try doing those three things this week.
