Welcome to Sunday Fuel! This series of questions is designed to assist your personal reflection and fellowship with others about the sermon from this past Sunday.

Go to This Sunday’s Sermon (start at 22:32)

1. Think of someone you are struggling to love due to conflict. 

Pastor Tim points out that our conflict actually begins in our own hearts, with our own selfish desires (James 4:1-2). They erase the love of God as we elevate our desires as demands or entitlements. 

2. Evaluate: 

a. What is the nature of your conflict with this person

b. Take some time to think deeper: What is the desire you want? How is this conflict actually a spiritual battle against God, not just this person? 

3. Meditate: 

a. Take time to slow down to consider the love of God for you, demonstrated in the lengths Christ went to pursue you even when you were in sin. Consider the sacrifice he made to lay his life down for you, that your name may be written in the book of life. When we unite ourselves with Him in faith, that means we are now one with Him and His life becomes our example of how we relate to each other, including those you are in conflict with. 

b. Explain how your unity with Christ can change the way you deal with this conflict by the power of the Spirit that lives in you.

c. How does the fact that you are both “in Christ” change how you look at this person? What have you been focusing on or what negative thing do you use to define them? How can the reality of being in Christ change how you view them? 

4.Pray: 

a. Take some time to humble yourself in prayer before the Lord. Admit, confess that things that divide you and entrust your desires to Him who cares for you. Because of these truths in Christ, what would it mean for you to “agree in the Lord” even if you do not completely agree with everything? 

b. Ask God to help you think of your brother or sister with the affection of Christ. How can you begin to reflect Christ’s love to them? 

5. Engage: 

a. How does the hope of eternity help you engage with one another again? 

b. If you are not currently experiencing conflict with others, consider how you might be a “true companion” to help mediate others who are in this situation. 

Suggested books: 

• The Peacemaker–Ken Sande

• Resolving Everyday Conflict–Ken Sande

• Pursuing Peace–Robert Jones