2. To understand the roots and causes of conflict
To understand the potential of conflict
for ill or for good
To learn how to deal with conflicts
through personal peacemaking
To learn how to deal with conflicts
through mediated peacemaking
To follow God’s principles when
conflicts cannot be resolved

3. Dealing with Conflicts
Common
“Reflexes”
In times of conflict

4. Dealing with Conflicts
• Fight
– e.g. Cain, Gen 4:1-16
• Flight
– e.g. Jacob, Gen 27:41-28:9
• Freeze
– e.g. Joseph’s brothers, Gen 37:1-11
• Form alliances
– e.g. Potiphar, Gen 39:1-20

5. Dealing with Conflicts
The Right
Biblical Response

6. Dealing with Conflicts
• Face it (Galatians 2:11-14)
This can only happen if you’re goal is to glorify God
by…
Pursuing the will of God
Practicing the grace of God
Preserving the truth of God

7. Dealing with Conflicts
Two kinds of peacemaking

8. General Guidelines
• Glorify God, not yourself (Colossians 3:1-4)
• Remove the plank in your own eyes first
(Matthew 7:3-5)
• Personally speak with the person whom you
have conflict with (Matthew 18:15-17)
• Be reconciled with that person as soon as
possible (Matthew 5:23-24)
• Get rid of all negative feelings (Eph 4:31-32)

9. The Seven A’s
1. Address the person concerned
2. Avoid “if”, “but” and “maybe”
3. Admit specifically (not generally)
4. Acknowledge the hurt you caused
5. Accept the consequences
6. Alter your behavior
7. Ask for forgiveness

10. Clarifying the Issue
1. Tangible Issue
An issue pertaining to differences.
This must be handled through
negotiation.
2. Relational Issue
An issue pertaining to offenses. This
must be handled through
peacemaking.

11. Negotiating Differences

12. The PEACE Process
Problem behavior
Emotions involved
Assessment of motives
Confession and forgiveness
Encouragement for the future

13. 4 Promises of Forgiveness
1. I will not dwell on this incident anymore
2. I will not bring this incident up and use it
against you
3. I will not talk to others about this
incident
4. I will not allow this incident to stand
between us or hinder our relationship

14. The PEACE Process
Problem behavior
Emotions involved
Assessment of motives
Confession and forgiveness
Encouragement for the future

15. Dealing with Conflicts
Group Discussion:
• What are your observations about
the PEACE process?
• What are the challenges of this
process?
• How can these challenges be
overcome?