#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sun. 17/9/2017

Quarter’s Theme: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE CHURCH

UNIT 1 – The Reality Of Conflict In The Church (Lessons 1-3)

LOYALTY CAMPAIGN MONTHS

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 258, 259

Devotional Reading: MATT. 18:15-17

Topic For Adults

BE A LIFE BUILDER

Topic For Youths

BE A BRIDGE BUILDER

Topic For Intermediates

BE A LIFE JACKET

Lesson Scriptures

ZEPH. 3:9; JAM. 5:19-20; TIT. 3:9-11; 1 TIM. 6:20

17/9/2017 LESSON 3

BASIC STEPS TOWARD CONFLICT RESOLUTION

MEMORY VERSE

Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins (Jam. 5:19-20) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Sun. 17/9/2017

Joy In Serving

Phil. 2:1-4

As believers or followers of Christ, we should not live only to please ourselves or make impression on others. Selfishness brings discord. Paul therefore stressed spiritual unity. All believers must love one another and be one in spirit and purpose. When we walk together, caring for the problems of others as if they were our problems, we demonstrate Christ’s example of putting others first and we experience unity. Don’t be so concerned about making a good impression or meeting your own needs that you strain relationships in God’s family.

Point Of Emphasis: Selfless love is what can make the church win the world back to God. Do you have this?

Prayer Point: Lord, give me true love for other believers in Christ so that together we can all impact the world and turn the world to You. Remove divisions and discensions from us.

BACKGROUND

Conflict happens wherever people gather in families, churches, at work and in communities at large. We have individual differences in character, patterns of thinking, feeling and behaving. Having an understanding of this will help us to have better ways of handling our differences.

NOTES ON THE TEXT

PART 1: GOD’S ANNOUNCE-MENT (ZEPH. 3:9)

This message was sent from prophet Zephaniah to the Jews and Gentiles. During the period of their captivity Jews got mingled with the pagan nations which they were exiled to through intertribal marriage (the children born to this union are called gentiles) and this brought detri-ments to their religious and social life.

After their return from exile, God promised to give the remnants full restoration from the pollutants and contaminants that affected their thoughts, words and actions. He promised them refined life purified from all profanity, filthiness and falsehood. He promised to bring an end to the divisions in ideas, culture and religion. God used the prophet to predict the period when wicked-ness, degradation will be removed and people will be in unity. As believers, through the grace of God, the Holy Spirit should be allowed in our hearts to change our lives by purifying our thoughts and words. (2 Cor. 5:17). God will purify our hearts so that the words coming from our lips will be pure as well.

God will purify our speech and unite us so that all His people from all languages will be able to worship together. In the new earth, all believers will be able to understand each other. The confusion of languages at the tower of Babel will be reversed.

PART 2: RESTORE WANDERING BELIEVERS (JAM. 5:19-20)

As long as we are still occupying this terrestrial body, we are prone to fall into conflicts and disagreement. We can view or handle the same situation in a different way because of our personality differences. If a believer does what seems not to be right or even derail in faith by falling into sin i.e. one who is no longer living a life consistent with the scriptures, the matured believer should extend the hand of fellowship to the individual by taking the pain to restore him to faith.

Further, if our fellow believer wronged us through words or actions thereby affecting our relat-ionship, we should take the initiative of telling or letting such know his or her wrongs. Before this, however, we should have time to pray over it, speaking the truth in love and also believe in the ability of the offender to change (Matt. 18:15). The body of believers ought to be an example of heaven on earth, drawing people to Christ through love for God and each other (Gal. 2:14).

PART 3: AVOID DISCORD OR DISSENSION (TIT. 3:9-11)

One of the subtle ways that the devil uses to cause divisions in the church is to distract believers. Heaven-focused Christians should be watchful, prayerful and give time to the study of God’s word. Believing and teaching some doctrines which are not Bible based, (which are heresies; such as eternal security, sowing seed to open way to eternal life and other such things) do not promote Holiness. Criticism will not solve the problem but we should take the steps of Priscilla and Aquila in correcting these anomalies. (Acts 18:24-26).

If peradventure they refuse to learn, new converts should be protected from their ways of perdition for their end shall soon come (Matt. 18:16-17).

PART 4: GUIDE YOUR FAITH JEALOUSLY (1 TIM. 6:20)

In the church of Ephesus where Timothy was the presiding Pastor, there were lots of rich and influential brethren who used their wealth and influence to either intimidate or suppress others. Their influence was having negative impacts on others. Paul advised Timothy to deal with this problem by teaching that having riches carries great responsibility (vs. 17-19) and in verse 20, he himself was also warned to be careful so as not to allow himself to be deceived or carried away by the actions and behaviours of the influential people. Instead, he should value his calling as a minister and stand for the truth and preach it at all times.

If you have been blessed with wealth then thank the Lord. Don’t be proud and don’t trust in your money. Be rich in good works; value your Christian faith above all things in this world.

CONCLUSION

Conflict is best handled when individuals prayerfully and humbly focus on loving others with the intent of restoring relationships.

QUESTIONS

1. Name some things that can help us develop better ways of handling our differences.
2. What was the effect of the Jews mingling with the pagan nations?
3. In the new Earth, how will all believers understand each other?
4. How should believers on Earth be examples of heaven on Earth?
5. Mention the subtle ways through which the devil causes division in the church
6. How can you guard your faith?