Loving Difficult People

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Loving Difficult People

Conflict, Division & the Hope of Reconciliation

February 26, 2023 • Christina Hernandez

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Loving people is only as difficult as we make it. To love like Jesus, we need to get out of our comfort zone and into the real lives of those around us.

All families fight. But how should Christian families, and the family of Christ, handle conflict and resolution? This four-week series will explore the way Scripture addresses conflict, divisive issues, and the hope of the gospel to bring reconciliation and healing to tense or broken relationships. Rather than avoiding difficult topics entirely or fueling the flames of controversy, Christians have the option of faithful engagement.

Questions for the Road:

1) When you read “love your enemies” in Matthew 5, does any person or group of people come to mind? Knowing that you are commanded and empowered by the Holy Spirit to love them, how can you practically choose to show love to those who have been difficult to love?

2) Do you tend to operate more from the Orphan Spirit or the Spirit of Adoption? How could knowing that you are perfectly loved by the Father transform you from a “porcupine” to a “puppy”?

Bring It All To The Table

February 5, 2023 • Pastor Chad Garrison

As we approach conflict and difficult conversations within the new family of Christ, we should be grounded in the humility of what unites us, despite our differences. All families fight. But how should Christian families, and the family of Christ, handle conflict and resolution? This four-week series will explore the way Scripture addresses conflict, divisive issues, and the hope of the gospel to bring reconciliation and healing to tense or broken relationships. Rather than avoiding difficult topics entirely or fueling the flames of controversy, Christians have the option of faithful engagement. QUESTIONS FOR THE ROAD: 1. Be honest: are there others at Christ’s Table with you that you think of as less than you for ANY reason? What specific action within Ephesians 4:1-3 are you being challenged to take with these relationships? 2. In what ways can you further grow in answering the question, “Am I harmonious?”

Fighting Fair

February 12, 2023 • Pastor Lindsay Garrison

Speaking the Truth in Love: Not always just what you say, but the heart of where it is coming from All families fight. But how should Christian families, and the family of Christ, handle conflict and resolution? This four-week series will explore the way Scripture addresses conflict, divisive issues, and the hope of the gospel to bring reconciliation and healing to tense or broken relationships. Rather than avoiding difficult topics entirely or fueling the flames of controversy, Christians have the option of faithful engagement. Questions for the Road 1. What is God revealing to you about speaking truth in love? 2. How well are you able to hear truth in love? 3. Do you currently have relationships with others that allow you to be sharpened?

Sparring Partners

February 19, 2023 • Pastor Chad Garrison

It is not only possible to maintain unity and have disagreement with others in the New Family of Christ; it also our distinguishing mark. All families fight. But how should Christian families, and the family of Christ, handle conflict and resolution? This four-week series will explore the way Scripture addresses conflict, divisive issues, and the hope of the gospel to bring reconciliation and healing to tense or broken relationships. Rather than avoiding difficult topics entirely or fueling the flames of controversy, Christians have the option of faithful engagement. QUESTIONS FOR THE ROAD: 1. When you think of how you approach conflict in the New Family of Christ, what unhealthy, or destructive actions within conflict from your life before following Jesus do you need to be aware of, and avoid? 2. What differences with regard to sparring vs. boxing stand out to you personally in growing healthy conflict resolution with others?