Connect

This week’s message is about reconciliation with others. Think of someone in your past who was mean or hurtful toward you. Share how that has impacted your relationship with that person.

Describe a time where you had to admit that you were wrong to someone. Did you do it willingly or were you forced to? How did the person react?

Engage

Read Matthew 5:21-26
In his famous “Sermon on the Mount” discourse, Jesus spoke to his disciples on a mountainside in the region of Galilee. In verses 21-22, Jesus starts out by talking about murder. Was he concerned about his disciples killing others or was it more than that? Explain. He then moves on to a discussion about offering. According to verses 23-24, what is the connection he makes between our relationship with God and our relationship with others?

Read Matthew 18:15-20
In another dialogue with his disciples, Jesus talked with them about the proper way to resolve conflict. According to verse 15, describe the progression of engagement with the “brother who has sinned against you”. Why do you suppose it was important to first engage one-on-one?

Read Romans 12:9-21
In his letter to the Christ followers in Rome, Paul also had a lot to say about healthy relationships. From this passage, discuss the different ways that he talks about relationship and interacting with others. What does verse 18 specifically say about relationships?

Recall from the message

Scott provided practical instruction to help us work through the process of reconciliation. He used the acronym GAPS to help us remember the following steps.
• Go to the person
• Admit your part of the conflict
• Pray for the person who feels like the enemy, and for your own heart
• Stay engaged in reconciliation

What are some of the unproductive ways Scott mentioned in his message for dealing with someone who you are upset with? Why are these not helpful?

Scott related commitment in relationship to a cast we put on a broken bone. How are the two things related?

Apply

Recall the story that Scott shared about Mary Johnson and Oshea Israel. Discuss the similarities between their story and the Matthew 5:21-26 passage read earlier. What do you find most incredible about their story? Perhaps not to this extreme, but is there an example of an Oshea character in your life that you have not dealt with? What are steps you could take to start the process of reconciliation?

Pray together

Take some time to pray together as a group. Reflect on the ways that you can bring reconciliation to broken relationships. Pray for those who have hurt you in the past. As Scott suggested in his message, pray for yourself to seek God’s help in the following ways:

• Help to be more loving
• Help to be more patient
• Help to have courage
• Help to forgive