Family Feud:
Handling Conflict as a Peacemaker
“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.” - Matthew 5:9
As we actively engage with the work of creating peace, we become more like Christ.
When others see your life and are in your presence, they will see you belong to the family God.
“Peace” means “Shalom”
Shalom can be understood as harmony, wholeness, completeness, health, safety, and prosperity.
Shalom is internal—spiritual, physical, psychological, emotional.
Shalom is external—relational, communal, societal, political, international.
The movement of God, from Genesis to Revelation, is to restore the Shalom that was broken in the garden of Eden.
Ministry of Reconciliation
“and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.” - Colossians 1:20
“From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.” - 2 Corinthians 5
Spiritual Reconciliation is the foundation; Social Reconciliation is the vision.
Spiritual without the Social is incomplete and disappointing.
Social without the Spiritual is hollow and doomed.
Ways People Deal with Brokenness
Retaliation: I will hurt you others, because it makes me feel better about being hurt.
Gaslighting: I will make you the problem, not me.
Independence: I will detach myself to avoid any potential tension.
Self-forgetting: I will neglect myself to maintain a sense of connection.
How do we step into Conflict toward Peace?
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother.” - Matthew 18:15
Honest Acknowledgement of Brokenness
Forgiveness
Vulnerable Intentionality toward Restoration
Guidelines for Conflict
Weigh both personal responsibility and mutual accountability.
“Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye?” - Matthew 7:3-4
The metric is not correctness, but love. The goal is to be understood and to understand—to learn to be loved and to love.
“And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” - Hebrews 10:24-25
Hope for the best, but hold the outcome with open hands to God.
“ Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” - Philippians 4:6-7