When someone has offended or sinned against us and we've determined the issue needs to be addressed, what does Jesus command us to do? And how can we practically do it in a way that's pleasing to Him? In this study, we'll break down some of the most popular excuses we use to justify ignoring Christ's command in Matthew 18:5a, and how we can instead move toward reconciliation in obedience.

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS:

- How does agape love manifest practically when working through offenses and conflict?

- How might our approach to conflict resolution change if we truly viewed pursuing reconciliation as an act of worship, as Jesus suggests (Cf. Matthew 5:23-24)?

- What are some valid reasons to delay going directly to someone who has offended you?

What invalid reasons do you think are most common in the Church?

- How can we balance the need for wise counsel with Jesus' instruction to keep offenses private between individuals?

- How might our expectations and approach to reconciliation change if we truly embraced it as a two-way process of revealing truth, acknowledging sin, and extending forgiveness?