Conversation Starters: Distinct in My Approach to Conflict
Posted by Karah
THE BIBLE MEETS LIFE: As Jesus continued to teach through His Sermon on the Mount, He came to
the subject of anger. But anger isn’t just a surface issue. Like everything else in Jesus’ sermon, anger is a
matter of the heart. When we fail to look at the heart behind the anger, we are treating deep, internal
issues with surface-level band-aids. The way we handle anger and respond to conflict set Jesus’
followers apart from the rest of the world. And God has not left us to figure this out on our own—He
has given us His Word and His Spirit to convict and teach us to respond in a manner that honors Him.
Concept: Distinct in My Approach to Conflict
Preschool
Luke 4:14-22
LIFE POINT: Jesus went many places telling people about God. One day Jesus went to Nazareth. Nazareth was the town where Jesus’ family lived when He was a boy. While Jesus was there, He went to church (the synagogue). He stood where everyone could see Him. A church helper handed Jesus the scroll of Scriptures. Jesus carefully unrolled the scroll and began to read. Jesus read, “God sent Me to teach people about Him. God sent Me to help people.” Then Jesus rolled up the scroll. He gave it to the
church helper and sat down. Everyone was watching Jesus. Jesus looked at the people and said, “These words in the Scriptures are about Me.” The people were surprised at what Jesus said.
LIVE IT OUT: Does your child see you read the Bible? If your child is young, help him turn the pages in
the Bible. Talk about favorite Bible stories as he turns pages.
Kids
Matthew 4:1-11
LIFE POINT: After Jesus was baptized, God’s Spirit led Jesus into the desert. For forty days and forty nights, Jesus ate no food. Satan said to Jesus, “If You really are God’s Son, make these rocks into bread.”
Jesus might have wanted that bread, but He said, “It is written. People must not live on just bread. They need every word that comes from God.” Satan took Jesus to the top of the temple in Jerusalem. He
said, “If You really are God’s Son, jump off because God has said that His angels will care for You.”
Jesus answered, “It is written: People must not test God.” Then Satan took Jesus to a high mountain. He showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world. He said to Jesus, “If You will just bow down and worship me, I will give You all these kingdoms.” Jesus said, “It is written: ‘Worship only God and serve only Him.’”
LIVE IT OUT: Learning to be responsible for choices is a stepping stone to asking forgiveness for sins.
Do you hold your child responsible for his choices? Wrong choices should always have consequences.
Keep your child responsible for his choices.
Students
Matthew 5:21-26
THE POINT: Be the first to resolve conflict. When have you regretted choosing the “quick fix” instead
of working through an issue? What are happens when we let conflict go untreated? Discuss the following quote:
“To be a Christian means to forgive the inexcusable because God has forgiven the inexcusable in
you.”1 —C.S. Lewis
LIVE IT OUT: Encourage your student to do one or both Live It Out activities. Here are some suggested ways to help your student:
If he or she plans to complete Calm Down:
• Hold your student accountable to memorizing Proverbs 15:1-2 this week. Help him or her in the memorization process by making flash cards.
If he or she plans to do Listen Up!:
• Discuss the importance of listening with your student.
1. “C.S. Lewis > Quotes > Quotable Quote,” Goodreads [online], [accessed 11 June 2015]. Available
from the Internet: www.goodreads.com/quotes/103229-to-be-a-christian-means-to-forgive-theinexcusable-because
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