#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Wed. 1/11/2017

Quarter’s Theme: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE CHURCH

UNIT 3 – Steps To Resolving Conflict In The Church (Lessons 8-12)

LOYALTY CAMPAIGN MONTHS

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 6, 9

Devotional Reading: MATT. 18:15-17

Topic For Adults

DON’T BOTTLE-UP RESENTMENT, SPEAK OUT

Topic For Youths

DON’T FAKE IT, BE REAL

Topic For Intermediates

SAY YOUR MIND

Lesson Scriptures

GEN. 33:1-10; ACTS 15:1-2, 6-7; GAL. 2:11-14; EPH. 4:15,25,29

5/11/2017 LESSON 10

AVOID PRETENCE, BE REAL

MEMORY VERSE

Therefore, putting away lying, let each one of you speak truth with his neighbour, for we are members of one another (Eph. 4:25) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Wed. 1/11/2017

Nip It In The Bud

Matt. 20:20-23

The Lord Jesus had mentioned in His teachings on the kingdom of God that He had come to establish the law. On this occasion, Jesus was heading towards Jerusalem with His disciples as He began to tell them about the suffering He would go through and the manner of death He would be subjected to. Two of His disciples – James and John, having perceived the imminence of the kingdom, invited their mother to lobby for the two most powerful positions next to the ‘King’. Prior to this time, the disciples had jostled over who should be the greatest in the kingdom the Master has come to set up. This shows their ignorance of the nature of the kingdom. However, Jesus addressed the issue by setting a little child before them to illustrate the humility that is required of the kingdom citizens. In today’s passage, Jesus did not hesitate to nip in the bud the issue of jostling for positions, showing them how, contrary to their opinion, such positions come only by rendering service. This is a potential root of bitterness, resentment and conflict. Sometimes minor issues are allowed to fester and degenerate, rather than tackling them as they evolve.

Point of Emphasis: Don’t overlook potential cause of conflict, address it immediately.

Prayer Point: Holy Spirit, help me not to be careless about minor issues that can degenerate into major problems