Three Foundational Truths about Conflict

1) Conflict is Inevitable – John 16:33
2) Conflict can be Useful, if we deal with it well – Proverbs 27:6 & 27:17
3) Unresolved Conflict will Destroy friendships, marriages, business partnerships, & communities 


Three Questions

1) Where Does Jesus Want Us to Place the Blame in Conflict?
We start with this question because when conflict comes, we each have a developed pattern of how we deal with it in our minds, and this directly affects how we will act.  There are at least 4 different ways that we place blame: 

a) The Problem is You, not Me (an attitude of Confrontation and a Self-Proclaimed Psychologist)

b) The Problem is Me, not You (an attitude of Acquiescence and Unhealthily Low Self-Esteem)

c) The Problem Might be Me and/or You, but I don’t care! (an attitude of Avoidance or Complacency)

d) The Problem isn’t Us, it’s Them! (an attitude of Manipulation and a fear of being alone in conflict) 

Where does Jesus place the blame?  Luke 6:39-42: In conflict, we’re BOTH blind!  Jesus directly contradicts our “Innocent until Proven Guilty” and “Tolerant” culture by telling us that both Me and You are to blame in conflict. 


2) What Does Jesus Ask of Us in Relational Conflict? 

a) To Forgive Outrageously – Matthew 18:21-35 
What a relevant question by Peter – I wonder if he has in mind a specific person who grates him or really hurts him?  

Jesus’ Parable gives Peter two answers to his question of why we should continue to forgive others:

There is a Greater, Infinite Conflict that God had with us than any we will ever have on earth (compare 10,000 talents to 100 denarii’s), and He’s forgiven us this infinite debt.  How can we not forgive other little debts?
We’ve got nothing on God as a judge!  If He’s willing to forgive this person we’re struggling with, in Christ, but we can’t forgive him or her, what does that say about us?  Do we think we’re a better judge of guilt than God?
 
b) A Willingness to Initiate Reconciliation – Luke 15:11-32 
Most of us think forgiveness is enough in resolving conflict.  But there’s more God has done for us, and more He asks us to do with others.  1 observation from the Prodigal Son story:  Before the rebellious son draws near to the father, or gets a chance to ask forgiveness, the father runs toward him and throws himself on him in love, though he didn’t need to! 

You can almost hear Jesus saying “So you think you know how to interact with others?  My Kingdom is a place where people move toward each other in love, even & especially when it’s difficult or inconvenient, because that’s what their my Father did for them.  He took the first step.” 


3) How Does Jesus Ask Us to Resolve Conflict? 

8 Practical Steps:
1. Identify the Issue in God’s Presence – Matthew 7:1-5
2. Make Sure You’re For This Person! – Philippians 2:1-4
3. Empathize – Put Yourself In Their Shoes – Proverbs 17:17
4. Initiate a Time to Talk – Ephesians 4:25, Matthew 5:23-24
5. Focus on the Issue, not the Person – Proverbs 18:19
6. Confess Specifics – James 5:16
7. Don’t Expect Unbelievers to Play by the Same Rules! – 1 Corinthians 2:14
8. Know Your Role – Romans 12:18, Matthew 18:15-17

Can you believe Spring Break is less than one month out!? This year, we are very excited about taking a new adventure to the beaches of Corpus Christi, TX! Every year, our Spring Break trip strengthens our community of friends more than anything else we do. Road trippin' with a few dozen people is a blast!

The specific purpose of this year's trip is to grow as "ambassadors for Christ" (2 Cor. 5:20) by personally learning to share the gospel with others, being stretched spiritually alongside great friends and an encouraging community. Bottom line is: spiritual growth, personal time with God, friendship, community, evangelism, road trippin', beaches, fun & rest.

Wait, did you say the "E" word? Yes, beach evangelism will be a focus for a few hours on three afternoons of the trip. So, clearly we'll be doing a lot of other fun and relaxing stuff. If you're anything like me, your mind is probably coming up with tons of reasons not to participate in something like that.

However, this trip is specifically designed for people who have never tried sharing the Gospel. That means you'll get practice and training beforehand, you'll go out in pairs (more experienced with less experienced), you won't have to do the talking unless you're ready, and you'll never have to worry about seeing the people you conversed with again. Also, we won't use Brother Jed's style of shouting and accusing crowds, but rather engage in respectful conversations with individuals.

WARNING: If you take a step of faith and come, you will grow in passion for Christ, his Gospel, and reaching the lost.

I hope you bring this opportunity before God and seriously consider joining us on this great adventure! Don't allow cost to be a barrier at all. Between fundraising and scholarships, we will trust God and work together with you to make it happen.

See you at the beach,
Joe

Go here for more event details or email UofMNnavs@gmail.com with any ?'s

Sin's Penalty - Hebrews 9:27

And just as it is appointed for man to die once, and after that comes judgement.

Hebrews 9:27 (ESV)
Topical Memory System

Sin's Penalty - Romans 6:23

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 6:23 (ESV)
Topical Memory System

Participating in the Great Commission is the personal responsibility every follower of Jesus Christ. That means you and me! Steve Shadrach, author of The Fuel and the Flame offers a piercing test for us in this regard:

"How can I tell if you've taken personal responsibility for the Great Commission? Simple. You have a plan to pull it off. I'm sure you've taken personal responsibility for your studies, your finances, your exercise, your future, and, for sure, your love life. The way I know? You have goals and a plan for each of these areas, and you're working diligently to accomplish them. For most Christians the Great Commission is really the Great Omission, because they walk around in a heavenly daze with no visible, tangible strategy to fulfill this mandate the Lord has given every believer," (pg 75-76).

Making disciples is truly a joyful, rewarding mission given to each of us. Don't pass up this week's Nav Night and the opportunity for you to be developed as a person who knows how to establish new believers in their walk with Christ.

Here are the notes from last week's Nav Night talk, in case you missed it or to review:

Two Stories:

The Hitchhiker – a man who, after cursing in the car he was riding in, was led to Christ by the driver. Amazingly, the same driver picked this hitchhiker up a year later to find him continuing in the same lifestyle…even cursing the exact same way!

Wayne – a young man who, before accepting Christ, tried to commit suicide twice. After joining a local church, he joined a small group where the leader took an active interest in Wayne, meeting with him 1:1, praying with him, guiding him, hanging out with him. Today, Wayne has an immense passion for God’s Word and for missions.

The difference between these two men? Discipleship.

DISCIPLESHIP (a working definition): The intensely personal activity of helping someone become ESTABLISHED in faith in Christ AND helping them become EQUIPPED to do the same in the lives of others.

Four Questions:

1) Where Do We Get This From?
John 17: Jesus’ Prayer displays His desires for His followers.
-->Verses 6-9: His disciples are Established.
-->Verses 15:20: His disciples are Equipped.

Colossians 1:28-29 & 4:12 – We see Paul’s heart for the young Christians: that they would grow to maturity in Christ.

2) What Does Becoming Established Look Like?
The Wheel: A trusted, experienced Christian helping you grow in 4 practical disciplines: Fellowship, Evangelism, Prayer, and Studying the Word.

Lordship of Christ, Identity in Christ, Obedience to Christ: Learning to make Christ the center of your life, with the help of another experienced Christian.

Life-On-Life: Spending informal time with a trusted, experienced Christian, and learning from his/her way of life.

3) Why Do I Need Someone ‘All Up In My Business’?
Good question; we need community to grow. No one Christian is infallible or unbiased enough to be our sole influence.

BUT: Look at Paul’s active, personal interest in Timothy’s life in Acts 16 & his letters in 1 & 2 Timothy. This is intimacy! This is accountability! Responsibility! Depth of relationship! Something happens with intentional 1:1 relationships: Focus & Structure, Purpose & Vision, Trust and Intimacy, and No Hiding! (from God or from others)

4) Doesn’t ‘Discipleship’ Just Create Levels, Hierarchy, Pride, Performance?
If the trusted, experienced Christian isn’t living humbly by grace, YES.

But: What is it in me that says ‘God is the only one who can disciple me’? Or ‘No person has claim on my life’? If I see anyone interested in my life as a power play, am I really living out of grace? Am I only boasting in Jesus like in 1 Corinthians 1:26-31?

The Big Picture
Though preaching, Sunday school, tracts & evangelism have their place, each of use can trace our Christian faith (with a few gaps) through spiritual generations of discipleship relationships all the way back to Jesus!

All Have Sinned - Isaiah 53:6

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all.

Isaiah 53:6 (ESV)

What are your plans this summer? Strongly consider a Summer Training Program with The Navigators. It would change your life forever. Can you say that about an hourly job back home, or an internship downtown? Check out the video for more info.

Check out www.MyNavSummer.com for all the details on summer opportunities with The Navigators. Ask God what he'd desire most from you this summer. And don't miss the application deadlines (varied by location), they're coming up soon!

One popular STP option is Group North. It runs for only three weeks: May 19 - June 5. This would allow you to benefit spiritually from an STP and still work for three months over the summer.

Yesterday was a very historic day, one that should be celebrated by people of all political persuasions. So, no matter how you feel about Barack Obama as president, God commands us to pray for him:

"First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way." (1 Timothy 2:1-2)

Everyone who has been in college more than one semester knows the feeling of the first week of classes. The professors hand out a syllabus, of which you'll probably have 4-5 of by the end of the week.

As you hear the entire semester's worth of coursework explained, it feels overwhelming. With all the opportunities to get involved, sometimes it is hard to set priorities that will set you up for success in the long haul. The first week of classes is the most valuable time for a student to seriously pause and evaluate goals and priorities.

Jesus teaches us a simple, but profound principle in Matthew 6:21, "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." In other words: what you esteem will capture your heart. Often, what we say we "treasure" isn't really what proves to be true in our lives.

How can we tell what we treasure?
1. What we spend our time on.
2. What we spend our money on.
3. What we are excited about.
4. What we naturally talk with friends about.

Our challenge to you is to make Jesus a priority in a fresh way this semester. The priorities you set now could impact you for a lifetime. Learn to walk with him intimately, read from His Word daily, continue steadfastly in prayer, and join in fellowship with others who are serious about the pursuit of Jesus and the spread of the Gospel. Perhaps, years later, you will look back at this semester as the one where knowing Jesus became your highest treasure.