Matthew 18:15-20: Conflict is ended best:

1) Within Closeness.
Vs. 15: If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their
fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have
won them over.
If someone close to you, who is a Christian sins. Jesus tells us to go to them
privately because were concerned for them. And if they listen to you then
you then that person will have a restored relationship with Jesus.
Example: Alex has been making fun of a kid at youth group behind his back
and Nathan, Alexs best friend has now found out about it and knows he
should do something to help. So if Nathan was practicing the first step of
Matthew 18, what would Nathan do because of Alexs sin?
Write in Your Response:
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2) Within Community.
Vs. 16: But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so
that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or
three witnesses.
One of the tough things about conflict is that people dont always listen to be
corrected but Jesus tells us if they dont listen to you bring along 2 or 3 other
people who care about them so that the person who is caught in sin can
understand that they need help.
Alex resisted what Nathan said and doesnt see anything wrong with his
actions, and doesnt see it as sin. So if Nathan was following this next step
given in Matthew 18 what would he do?
Write in Your Response:
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3) Within the Church.

Vs. 17: If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if
they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would
a pagan or a tax collector.
If that person still refuses to change their sin. Take it to those within the
church community and ask for help and consideration. If they still dont listen
then love them as if they were a person who did know Jesus.
Alex still doesnt stop making fun of the new student and now Alexs rumors
are starting to become popular in the youth group and others have now
joined in on picking on this new student. Nathan knows this is wrong and is
hurting a new student, if Nathan is following the steps given in Matthew 18
what is his next step?
Write in Your Response:
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Vs. 18-20: Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will
be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will
be loosed in heaven. Again, truly I tell you that if two of you on
earth agree about anything they ask for, it will be done for
them by my Father in heaven. For where two or three gather in
my name, there am I with them.
What we do here on earth matters to God and has consequences not just
effects things here on earth but in heaven too. Because of this, there is
power in people reconciling and healing relationships here on earth. It has
spiritual and earthly value.

When Gods people come together with purpose, things change and it
matters to God Conflict resolution is important to God, He values
reconciliation here on earth.

Main Point: Conflict is ended best: within closeness, within

community and within the church.