Choosing the High Road

Dealing with Conflict

Bible Character Choices

Good Not so Good

As a group, choose one from each column and answer these questions:

• Good or Not so Good Choice?• Name of Bible Character• Any background information• Consequences/repercussions of that choice• This makes me wonder…• Bonus Points for Bible References

Example

Good Not so Good• Adam and Eve• Tempted by Satan, ate the

fruit• Sin entered the world• Do I realize that

disobedience is sin, sin separates us from God, sin has serious consequences?

• Genesis 3

Example

Good• Abraham• When told by God to offer

his son as a sacrifice, he was willing to do so

• Showed obedience in the most extreme circumstance

• What am I willing to give up for God if he asks me to?

• Genesis 22, Hebrews 11:19

Not so Good• Adam and Eve• Tempted by Satan, ate the

fruit• Sin entered the world• Do I realize that

disobedience is sin, sin separates us from God, sin has serious consequences?

• Genesis 3

Turn and Talk

• What’s your takeaway from this activity?

Choices arise from Conflict

• James 4:1-2 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? You want something but don’t get it.”

Why are we spending so much time on this?

• When people choose NOT to deal with conflict as the Bible says, there are terrible, often deadly, consequences.

• We’ve all seen examples of believers who dealt with conflict inappropriately

• The Bible is clear about the best way to handle conflict.

Quick Question

• In what ways do you see people deal with conflict?

4 Ways People Deal with Conflict

Avoid“No Way”

Accommodate“Your Way”

Compete“My Way”

Compromise“Half Way”

Intervention Result

Fight is stopped, conflict de-escalates 20% Resolution

From Kenneth Cloke, The Crossroads of Conflict, 2006

Intervention Result

Fight is stopped, conflict de-escalates 20% Resolution

Issue is settled, immediate conflict ends through compromise

60% Resolution

From Kenneth Cloke, The Crossroads of Conflict, 2006

Intervention Result

Fight is stopped, conflict de-escalates 20% Resolution

Issue is settled, immediate conflict ends through compromise

60% Resolution

Underlying reasons that give rise to disputes are resolved

90% Resolution

From Kenneth Cloke, The Crossroads of Conflict, 2006

Intervention Result

Fight is stopped, conflict de-escalates 20% Resolution

Issue is settled, immediate conflict ends through compromise

60% Resolution

Underlying reasons that give rise to disputes are resolved

90% Resolution

Reconciliation with opponent 100% Resolution

From Kenneth Cloke, The Crossroads of Conflict, 2006