TOPIC: Conflict Management In The Family [Sunday, 15th April 2018]

OPENING PRAYER: Father, uproot every instrument of conflict in our families in Jesus’ name. Let our power restore peace ‘n our families (Scroll down for SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN)

Bible Passage: Genesis 13:7-9

7 And there was a strife between the herdmen of Abram’s cattle and the herdmen of Lot’s cattle: and the Canaanite and the Perizzite dwelled then in the land.

8 And Abram said unto Lot, Let there be no strife, I pray thee, between me and thee, and between my herdmen and thy herdmen; for we be brethren.

9 Is not the whole land before thee? separate thyself, I pray thee, from me: if thou wilt take the left hand, then I will go to the right; or if thou depart to the right hand, then I will go to the left.

MEMORY VERSE: “Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men,” Romans 12:17

LESSON INTRODUCTION:
A family is defined as a group of people related by blood, marriage, law (e.g. adoption) or custom. Generally, conflict can be defined as strong disagreement between people, groups, etc., that results in often angry argument. Conflict management is the practice of being able to identify and handle conflicts sensibly, fairly, and efficiently. Conflict is inevitable. No relationship is perfect or conflict free, but conflict when managed biblically can serve as a catalyst for change and opportunity for a good family growth.

TEXT REVIEW: GENESIS 13:7-9
One may be surprised to discover that both riches and poverty cause conflict. Solomon knew that wherever poverty bites hard, there will be conflict. )Proverbs 30:8-9). In today’s Bible passage, it was riches or wealth that originated strife between Lot and his uncle, Abraham. Genesis 13:6-11 mentioned a few things which can lead to conflict.
i. Material factor of riches can cause conflict. Gen.13:6
ii. Land or space can be another cause of conflict. Gen. 13:6
iii. The original human factor behind the conflict between Abraham and his nephew were their servants (herdsmen). This calls for proper management of staff, house help, labourers. Gen. 13:7
iv. Abraham demonstrated maturity in resolving the crises in the following ways. (Gen. 13:8):
a. Abraham called his nephew to a round table discussion. He charged him not to allow strife. Gen. 13:8
b. Abraham identified the sources of the conflict was strife among the herdsmen. Gen. 13:7
c. Abraham understood the fact that the unbelievers were watching and it was unacceptable for them to strife when the Canaaniteses and Perizzites were watching. Gen. 13:7
d. Abraham accepted to forgo the right of “first choice” Being an elder to Lot, he should choose first, but he allowed his brother to make the first choice for the sake of peace. Gen. 13:9, 11.
e. Abraham considered the land as nothing worth dying for “is not the whole land before you” Gen. 13:9
There comes the question, where is our maturity in conflict.? Some leaders or followers could fight in public for a few provisions, some may extend their fists to the church or even vestry. Some people are ready to die for what is not worth dying for, etc. We do not need to be DEAD RIGHT for a right we can allow. We can tow the path of peace instead.

LESSON OUTLINES:

Lesson Outline 1: CONFLICT IN THE FAMILY AND ITS CAUSES

i. Misunderstanding among members of immediate or extended family.
ii. Contradictory interest among family members.
iii. Incompatibility (Amos 3:3).
iv. Unresolved disagreement. Eph.4:26-27.
v. Lack of trust. Prov. 31:11.
vi.Unforgiveness. 2Cor. 2:10-11.
vii. Communication gap. Heb.13:16.
viii. Unfaithfulness. Gen 39:7-12.
ix. Financial challenges. 1Tim 6:8-10.
x. Lack of genuine love. Col.3:19; 1Pet.1:22.

Class Activity 1: How can we control the role of selfish interest in family conflicts?

Lesson Outline 2: BIBLICAL WAYS OF MANAGING CONFLICT WITHIN THE FAMILY.

i. Examine yourselves. Ps. 26:2; 2Cor.13:5.
ii. Love God and put Him at the centre of your family. Deut. 6:4-5.
iii. Forgive one another. Lk. 17:3; Eph. 4:26.
iv. Communicate effectively and resolve all conflicts as fast as possible. Rom.12:17-18.
v. Maintain openness and sincerity with one another. Gen.2:25.
vi. Live a life of humility. Prov.29:23; Jer.13:18.
vii. Love one another. I Pet. 1:22.
viii. Revenge not yourself for wrongs done against you. Rom. 12:19.
ix. Commit your ways to the Lord. Ps. 37:5.
x. Take every matter to God in prayers. Jas. 5:16.

Class Activity 2: What role can love for brethren play in resolving family conflict?

SUMMARY: Let there be no strife among us. Gen. 13:8a

CONCLUSION: According to the word of God, all old conflicts must be resolved while there should not be occasion for a new one for God to accept our worship. Matt. 5:23-25 5.

EVALUATION: How can we avoid conflict in the family?

CLOSING PRAYER: O God, let peace reign in our families.

ASSIGNMENT: Give five counsels at a family meeting to resolve material conflict e.g. Heritage.

Read previous RCCG Sunday School Teacher’s Manual Here

SUNDAY SCHOOL HYMN

1. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth.

2. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day, Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School.

3. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee.

4. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee.

5. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School.

6. O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?

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Topic: Into Our Storms [Our Daily Bread 14th Saturday April, 2018]

Read: Mark 4:35–41, Bible in a Year: 1 Samuel 25–26; Luke 12:32–59

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!” Then the wind died down and it was completely calm. Mark 4:39

Wind howled, lightning flashed, waves crashed. I thought I was going to die. My grandparents and I were fishing on a lake, but we’d stayed out too long. As the sun set, a fast-moving squall swept over our small boat. My grandfather instructed me to sit in front to keep it from capsizing. Terror flooded my heart. But then, somehow, I began to pray. I was fourteen.

I asked God for His reassurance and protection. The storm didn’t weaken, but we made it to shore. To this day, I don’t know if I’ve experienced a deeper certainty of God’s presence than that night in the storm.

Jesus is no stranger to storms. In Mark 4:35–41, He told His disciples to head across a lake that would soon turn windy and wild. The storm that night tested and bested these rugged fishermen. They too thought they were going to die. But Jesus calmed the water and then led His disciples to deeper faith.

Likewise, Jesus invites us to trust Him in our storms. Sometimes He miraculously stills the winds and the waves. Sometimes He does something equally miraculous: He steadies our hearts and helps us to trust Him. He asks us to rest in the belief that He has the power to say to the waves, “Quiet! Be still!”

Prayer: Lord, the storms of our lives sometimes seem like they will swamp us. Help us trust that You are the Master of the storm, to place our faith in You when life’s winds blow fiercely.

No danger can come so near that God is not nearer still.

Insight:

The end of Mark 4 poses an interesting question that each of us must answer: Who is this man? The disciples asked this question after Christ spoke to the wind and the waves and they obeyed Him. Though we may think this was merely a response of astonishment at what Jesus had just accomplished, Mark wants us to take the question seriously because he wants to present the answer.

Immediately following the disciples’ question, Mark recounts three stories that are meant to fill in the answer. After the miracle of calming the storm, Jesus casts demons out of a possessed man (5:1–20), heals a woman who had been bleeding for twelve years (vv. 21–34), and raises a girl from the dead (vv. 35–43).

Who is Jesus? He is God in the flesh, the one with power over nature, the spirit world, our bodies, and power over death itself. There is nothing we face that is beyond His ability to command.

What storm do you face today? Turn to Him knowing who He is and what His power can do. J.R. Hudberg

If you missed yesterday devotional, please click to read “Our Daily Bread Devotionals HERE”

This message was written By Adam Holz [Our Daily Bread Ministries.]

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Topic God Is Bigger Than All Your Problems [TREM’s Devotional Saturday April 14, 2018]

“And when he was cast out, Pharaoh’s daughter took him up, and nourished him for her own son.” Acts 7:21 KJV

Recently, I was sharing the Word of God with some people, and I said to them: The people who make cars, they have spare parts. If man can be that wise, then God who created man also has spare parts for any damaged organ in your body. The issue is can you believe? The account of the birth and the miraculous preservation of Moses is documented in Exodus 2. Other parents didn’t believe that their children could live. Moses’ parents, Amram and Jochebed, saw him as a proper child and believed that God would preserve him. The difference between Moses’ parents and other parents was in what they chose to believe. Other children became food for the crocodiles in the Nile, but Moses’ parents held on to their baby, and God supernaturally preserved Moses in the camp of the enemy.

Beloved, I don’t know what constitutes an enemy to you; God knows how to preserve you in the enemy’s camp. He is bigger than cancer. He is bigger than high blood pressure and low blood pressure. He is bigger than all your problems.

God’s people, the Hebrews were slaves in captivity for four hundred years. That was long enough for them never to believe anything again. If you have been in a problem for one year or two, you may become used to it and think it will never change. But Jehovah had spoken that they will come out and at the appropriate time, God raised up Moses and sent him to deliver His people.

Today, I declare an end to your captivity. It does not matter how long it has been; we serve a God whose word can never fail. You will not die of sickness or disease. Whatever the enemy has fashioned, it is coming to an end now. God is not a man that He should lie, neither is He the son of man that He should repent if He has said it, He will bring it to pass.

Further Reading: Exodus 2:1-10, Luke 1:34-37

Daily Bible Reading: Morning- 1 Samuel 25-26; Evening- Luke 12:32-59

“If you missed yesterday devotional click to read “TREM’s Daily Devotional by Dr. Mike Okonkwo’’ 

Written by Dr. Mike Okonkwo; Is the Presiding Bishop of The Redeemed Evangelical Mission (TREM); a versatile man of God with over 30 years of dedicated service unto the Lord.

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