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Understanding Church Conflict :
A Bible Study

conflict bible study : easy printing version

Recognising impending conflict in the church, and steering a church through conflict pose significant challenges to leaders anxious to preserve their Christian values and integrity. We are grateful to Tom Fischer, of Ministry Health for this training module.   Tom has also written an invaluable practical guide to surviving times of conflict, with some excellent insights on how to turn potentially devastating issues into something productive.

Part I: A Biblical Understanding of Conflict and Diversity

Take some time to read Ephesians 3:1-17, and then think about the questions below.

conflict management
1. According to Ephesians 3:1-3, what attitudes and behaviors are essential to life in the Church?

As a prisoner for the Lord, then, I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

2. According to Ephesians 3:4-6,

a) What things must Christians keep firmly in mind about the nature of the church--especially in times of conflict?

There is one body and one Spirit -- just as you were called to one hope when you were called -- one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all.

b) What things has God given the church to remind Christians of this unity?

3. If the church is to be unified, what might be some reasons for the diversity described in verses 7 ff.?

But to each one of us grace has been given as Christ apportioned it....
It was He who gave some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists, and some to be pastors and teachers, to prepare God's people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of men in their deceitful scheming.
Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into Him who is the Head, that is, Christ. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

4. According to this text...

a) What do you think Paul says is the most important reason to use our unique giftedness in a unified manner?

b) In what ways is this best done?

5. What obstacles might prevent or hinder a "Speaking the truth in love" so necessary to overcome conflict and enable the greater recognitiion of the value of diversity in the Church?

 
Part 2: Biblical Conflicts
Christians Don’t Fight...Or Do They??? conflict management
Look up the Scripture references below, and note the conflict(s) that you find in the text.

Item #

Scripture Text

Parties Involved

Nature of Conflict

1

 Matthew 5:23-24 Brother or Sister Unspecified Grudge(s)

2

 Matthew 10:34-36 Christian’s Family One believes, Others don’t

3

 Matthew 16:22-23 Jesus v Peter Jesus’ suffering and death

4

 Matthew 18:13 Jesus v Disciples Bring little children

5

 Matthew 18:16-18 Church members Unspecified, perhaps intense

6

 Matthew 20:24 Jesus v Disciples Jealousy over James and John

7

 Matthew 23:1ff Jesus v. Pharisees Stubbornness to believe

8

 John 8:44 Jesus v Pharisees Jesus called Satanic

9

 Philippians 4:23-24 Euodia v Syntyche Interpersonal Conflict

10

 Acts 15:36-40 Paul v Barnabas Take/leave John Mark

11

 Galatians 1:10 Paul v Galatians Doubt Paul’s Integrity/Authority

12

 Galatians 2:11 Paul v Peter Follow Jewish Rituals?
This shows us that conflict is a normal part of every church’s life and Christian’s life. Spend a moment thinking of any other examples; firstly from the bible, and then also from your own life.   The entire Bible is in some respects a record of conflict--between God and mankind, between all mankind, and between the forces of good and evil. Since the Bible is a record of conflict, it is also a record of forgiveness.

 
Part 3 : The Church : Strategies for Conflict Resolution

Spend some time reviewing  Matthew 18 and Galatians 6:1-2 - two key Bible passages relating to mediation, conflict and means of reconciliation. Some initial questions are provided below.

1) What principles of mediation are described here?

2) What principles or strategies are not described here?

3) In what ways can these insights be applied to the church?