The document provides guidance on resolving conflicts biblically from Breath of Life International Church. It discusses that conflicts will inevitably occur but must be addressed properly without disrupting God's church. The key principles outlined include dealing with conflicts directly, privately, and with the goal of reconciliation rather than proving who is right. Multiple biblical examples of conflicts are explored, and tips are given for successful resolution through prayer, forgiveness, and following God's example of initiating reconciliation.

1. BREATH OF LIFE
INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
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Bible Study Guide
BREATH OF LIFE INTERNATIONAL CHURCH
3763 Junction Boulevard
Raleigh, North Carolina 27603
919-448-8198
www.breathoflifeintl.org

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Breath of Life International Church | Conflict Resolution
Understanding Conflict within the Body of Christ
While we’d like to believe that all “church folk” are perfect, we know this is certainly not the case.
People are imperfect, except through the grace and righteousness of God. As long as we dwell in a
casing of flesh, error will exist.
For this reason, it is imperative that God’s people are
armed to deal with conflict and offense within the local
church. Disagreements occur, but must be handled in a
biblical manner, such that they will not interrupt the peace
of God’s house nor retard the work of the ministry.
Therefore, the best way to deal with conflict and offense is
just that – deal with it! It should never be ignored or
denied, but confronted in such a way that the enemy has
no room or time to disrupt God’s plan for His people.
Conflict is the confrontation between differing expectations, purposes, goals, values, or desires;
and/or the competition for limited resources.
Exercise | Understanding Conflict and Diversity
Read Ephesians 4:1-17, and answer the questions below.
1) According to Ephesians 4:1-3, what attitudes and behaviors are essential to life in the church?
2) Read Ephesians 4:4-6. What must we keep in mind about the nature of the church, especially in
times of conflict?
3) If the church is to be unified, what are some reasons for diversity in the Body of Christ,
according to Ephesians 4:11-16?

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Christians Don’t Fight… Do They?
SCRIPTURE TEXT PARTIES INVOLVED NATURE OF CONFLICT
Matthew 5:23-24 Brother or Sister Unspecified Grudge(s)
Matthew 10:34-36 Christian’s Family One believes, Others don’t
Matthew 16:22-23 Jesus v Peter Jesus’ suffering and death
Matthew 18:13 Jesus v Disciples Bring little children
Matthew 18:16-18 Church members Unspecified, perhaps intense
Matthew 20:24 Jesus v Disciples Jealousy over James and John
Matthew 23 Jesus v. Pharisees Stubbornness to believe
John 8:44 Jesus v Pharisees Jesus called Satanic
Philippians 4:23-24 Euodia v Syntyche Interpersonal Conflict
Acts 15:36-40 Paul v Barnabas Take/leave John Mark
Galatians 1:10 Paul v Galatians Doubt Paul’s Integrity/Authority
Galatians 2:11 Paul v Peter Follow Jewish Rituals?
Believe it or not, conflict is a natural part of the Christian’s life. These examples include only a small
subset of those we witness in the New Testament. Think of five additional examples, from the Old
Testament, and list them here:
1) _____________________________________________________________________________
2) _____________________________________________________________________________
3) _____________________________________________________________________________
4) _____________________________________________________________________________
5) _____________________________________________________________________________

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Breath of Life International Church | Conflict Resolution
What Would Jesus Do?
Jesus dedicates quite a bit of time to conflict resolution. Why? It was obviously important to Jesus
that His followers walk in unity. In John 17, or example, He prays fervently that His disciples would be
unified. It is important then that we please our Savior by following His guidance when conflict arises.
Matthew 18
 VS 7 Offenses will come
 VS 12-14 We must prioritize the lost
 VS 15 Deal with offenses in private, with the goal of reconciliation
 VS 16 When individual conversation is fruitless, introduce witnesses
 VS17 The church should mediate as a last resort
NUGGET: What offends you? As God’s children, we should be offended by sin. Don’t spend time
dealing with little, insignificant gestures. Those who belong to God and carry His Spirit will only be
offended by the things that offend Him. Want to know where you are in God? Ask yourself, “What
offends me?”
Practical Steps to Resolving Conflict
YOU have a
conflict
YOU GO
To THE PERSON In PRIVATE
DISCUSS the
problem
Seek
RECONCILIATION

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Breath of Life International Church | Conflict Resolution
What the Reconciliation Process Look Like?
 Acknowledge the conflict. Conflict is normal and not necessarily a measure of Christian maturity
or the lack thereof.
 You must do something about it. Conflict will not resolve itself.
 Go means go! Approach the person. Do not attempt to avoid or forget the situation.
 Before going, be honest with yourself about why you are really angry, hurt or offended. Is it a
good reason? Be sure to deal with internal issues before approaching others.
 What do you want? Be sure you have a goal in mind for the conversation to come.
 Go directly to the person involved. Do not include third parties, mediators or friends. Whenever
possible, do not discuss the issue with others. If guidance or instruction is needed, be sure to
involve only a neutral person of authority, such as a pastor or counselor.
 Talk in private. Be sensitive. Approach the other person as you would like to be approached.
 Use direct communication. Be specific, open and honest.
 Explain your feelings and concerns.
 Talk about the consequences of the action. What
have they been? What will they be if the offense
continues?
 Suggest a resolution. What change is necessary?
 Aim for reconciliation. The goal is to restore the
relationship. The goal is NOT to:
 Prove who was right
 Get back at someone
 Avoid the situation
 Turn away and forget
 Forgive.
 Escalate, only as necessary.
The Goals of Reconciliation
 Saving and rescuing the lost sheep while also about relieving the
body (the Church) from accusation and offence.
 Weeding out impurity from the church and protecting the sheep. If
one church member is allowed to go on offending, then this one person can
ultimately have the effect of destroying the church.
 Christ taught that if we execute this principle, then we bind and
loose in a spirit of unity and oneness, and can ask for anything and
everything and receive from the Father.

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Tips for Successful Resolution in the Church
Don’t Neglect the Word of God
In dealing with conflict, always refer to God’s word. His word
provides answers and guidance for everything we need and every
situation we may face.
 2 Timothy 3:16
 1 Corinthians 10:11
Glorify God
When in the midst of conflict, it’s easy to forget about God and pleasing Him. However, we should
take every opportunity, even those that are uncomfortable, to bring glory to God. Place the priority on
God’s will in the situation, and He will be praised through the issue.
 1 Corinthians 10:31
Pray
Seek God concerning your words and your decisions. Oftentimes, words and thrown around during
conflict. Always remember that once words are released, they cannot be rescinded. Therefore, it’s
important to be prayerful, ensuring that your words echo the Spirit of God rather than the flesh.
Whenever two people are involved in conflict, they should
pray together, whenever possible. If both parties agree in seeking
God for resolution, He will be in the midst of them, leading both
to a peaceful and just conclusion.
 Matthew 12:36
 Matthew 18:19
Forgive
When a conflict has been confronted and discussed, according to the word of God, the offense must
be forgiven. This is the final, but most essential step. At the point of forgiveness, the issue is truly
resolved. It is important to note that we must forgive others of offenses if we expect God to do the
same on our behalf.
 Matthew 6:12

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For Discussion and Further Study
Read the following questions and provide your answers, as time allows.
1) According to the Bible teaching about resolving
conflict, what is the goal in relationships? Explain
your answer in terms of practical application.
2) Think of a time when you were in a situation of
conflict. Which of the principles of resolving conflict
in this study did you apply successfully? Explain.
3) In that time of conflict, what principles of resolving conflict could you have improved on?
Explain.
4) Why do you think resolving conflict is important to God? Explain in your own words.
5) Referencing the Bible teaching about resolving conflict, why do you think forgiveness is
important?
6) List five reasons for forgiveness and five reasons for not forgiving.
7) In following God’s example of resolving conflict, who took the initiative (2 Corinthians 5:18, 19)?
Should we do likewise? Explain.
8) In the Bible teaching about resolving conflict, explain the principles James give us (James 1:19,
20).
9) In the context of Philippians 1:27-2:7, explain the principles and process Paul went through in
resolving conflict.
10) What is the role of Satan in conflict (2 Corinthians 2:10, 11; 1 Peter 5:8; Ephesians 6:11, 12)?