Truth & Dare | Conflict (Discussion Guide)

Note: this Guide is available for download as a .pdf here.

Life Group Discussion Guide :: Sunday, February 17, 2013 (JXG) 

Sandy Lake Wesleyan :: Pastor Jeremiah

Truth & Dare | Conflict (Week 3)

Remember, this Guide is not intended as an exhaustive list of what can be discussed, but is best used as a guide to help your Group process what God is teaching them. Read through the discussion points below and prayerfully consider what the Holy Spirit would have you work through.

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 Be sure to pray for, encourage each other, 

and share the victories God is giving your Group.

From Last Week (Truth & Dare, week 2):

Read Matthew 5:33-37 

:: How is this an issue of character?

:: What is the danger of seeing this passage simply as a matter of behavior modification?

:: In what ways do you see living according to this brings great freedom?

:: How does this show us our role in either closing the door to dysfunction or inviting greater dysfunction?

:: How does this effect every relationship we’re part of?

Jesus makes it clear that the evil one doesn’t want our ‘yes’ to be ‘yes’ and our ‘no’ to be ‘no.’

:: In what ways have you seen Satan use a disconnect between our ‘yes’ and ‘no’ to create division or confusion?

This is a great example of how the power of truth can immobilize the enemy. What are ways to gently speak the truth in love and preserve relationship?

Read Galatians 3:9-10

:: What are some of the ways we’re tempted to lie to each other?

:: How is lying within the Body of Christ a sign of much deeper dysfunction than simple word choice?

:: How can we convince ourselves this is a suggestion for interaction more than a command for living?

Some statistics:

:: The average person begins to tell lies between ages 2-3

:: When meeting new people, the average person will like 2-3 times in 1o mins

:: Most people lie about 4 times a day = 1,460 lies/yr

:: Average # of lies/day: Men = 6, Women = 3

:: Most common lie told by both: “Nothing’s wrong. I’m fine.”

What do Jesus’ words have to do with even the little, seemingly positive lies? How can we break the cycle of lies in our lives and around us?

The three most common reasons people lie:

:: To make ourselves look good.

:: To get out of trouble.

:: To avoid hurting someone else’s feelings.

This Week:

Read Matthew 18:15-20

:: How can we tell this passage is more about bringing people back into right relationship with God than ‘clearing the air’?

:: Why do you think Jesus gives us the progression of ‘one-on-one’ to ‘two or three’ to ‘assembly’? How does the desire for relationship with God change the tone of how we interact with this?

:: Why is the promise of Jesus’ presence significant here?

:: What is significant about the promise of heaven’s authority in these matters (binding/loosing)?

Read Proverbs 6:16-20

:: How does this shows us the significance God places on unity?

:: Why is it significant that God hates these actions, not the people doing them?

:: Why are we tempted to minimize some of the things in this list? Why do you think we’re so comfortable with other things being listed here?

“How we handle conflict & our human relationships is more about relationship with God than with each other.”

:: What Scriptural truths can you think of which help illustrate this?

:: How have you seen this reality in your own life?

:: Have you ever tried to ‘fix’ a human relationship without first making sure your relationship with God was right? What was the result? 

:: How does misunderstanding this result in setting the wrong relational goals?

We were challenged to ask the question: 

What relationship in my life is in need of restoration?

Pray with your Group that the Holy Spirit would reveal to them what these relationships are and give courage to take next steps.

We were challenged with this dare:

:: Pray for the authority & presence of Jesus

How does this change our perspective and interaction with others?

:: Start a dialogue with the other person

Pray for each other for wisdom and courage to do this.

:: Refuse to stir up conflict

How can you lovingly encourage others to go to the other person rather than speaking about them?

Pray for each other as you accept this ‘dare;’ ask the Holy Spirit to reveal where you/your Group members have misplaced focus on human relationships. This is a ripe opportunity to ‘call each other to more’--be sure to take advantage of it.