Lessons From a Quarantine – Week Two

This has been a crazy few months for all us because of Covid-19, the quarantine and racial tensions. There are so many emotions and fears that leave us with many questions. We’ll tackle some of these concerns by examining: 

1. The balance in a Christian life.
2. Some things about conflict that we all need to remember.
3. The conflict between Paul and Barnabas.
4. Applications for handling conflict.
5. Four principles from Ephesians 4 that will allow you to have a solution-driven conversation.

• There has to be balance in a Christian’s life.

Jesus is loving, gentle and kind, but He was also the most controversial, confrontational person who ever walked this earth.

    – Matthew 5:7

    – Matthew 10:34

“The key to a healthy Christian life is balance.” Chuck Swindoll

• There are some things about conflict that we all need to remember.

There are things about conflict we need to remember.

    1st – Conflict is inevitable.

    2nd – In every conflict there are two ingredients: There’s an issue and there are varying perspectives.

    3rd – In many conflicts, each side is valid.

             In David Augsburger’s book, Caring Enough to Confront, he says, “Conflict is neither right nor wrong – it just is, and you’ve got to deal with it.”

• The Bible records the conflict between Paul and Barnabas.

     – Acts 13:4-5

     – Acts 13:13

     – Acts 15:36-37

     – Acts 15:38

     – Acts 15:39

We get our English word, “paroxysm,” from the Greek word translated “disagreement.” It means, “a sudden attack, a convulsion, a violent emotion and action.”

This is what happened between Paul and Barnabas with good points on both sides. However, it says that they parted ways, and we never see them together on a missionary journey again.

• There are applications to apply when handling conflict.

1st – When in conflict, work hard at seeing both sides, not just your own.

– Philippians 2:3-4

– Most of us suffer from ingrown eyeballs.

2nd – When both sides have good support, look for a wise compromise.

3rd – When the conflict persists, care enough to work it through.

– To resolve conflict, you have to have a solution-driven conversation.

• There are four principles from Ephesians 4 that will allow you to have a solution-driven conversation.

1st – Communicate Truthfully.

– Ephesians 4:25

2nd – Communicate Tenderly.

– Ephesians 4:15

3rd – Communicate Timely.

– “When it comes to communication, timing is often more important than content.”

– Ephesians 4:26-27

4th – Communicate Tactfully.

– Ephesians 4:29

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