3 minute read
Lesson 7. Unity & Conflict resolution
Part Two: Caring for yourself and others
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Lesson 7. Unity & Conflict resolution
Anchor Scripture:
• 1 Corinthians 13:4-7: Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. • Colossians 3:12-14: Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity. • Ecclesiastes 4:9 & 12: Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor; Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.
Local saying: Intambara irasenya ntiyubaka(war destroys and does not build).
Specific training objectives: By the end of this session, participants will be able to:
• Recognize causes of Conflict • Understand the effects of unresolved conflicts • Communicate the biblical context of conflict resolution • Resolve conflicts
What is conflict? How is it resolved?
Ask the trainees to define a conflict and conflict resolution. Have they ever had a conflict? Conclude with asking if conflicts are normal or not. Accept all answers, then emphasize: • Any group can have conflict - family, church, neighbourhood, loan group, etc. • God choose to create us with differences, we handle things very differently and hence we need to take time to understand why things are done differently.
• To be able to resolve a conflict is to be in position to humbly understand one’s opinion about something. • In failure to resolve a conflict, you may invite a trusted person to intervene • It’s normal to have a conflict but not normal for it to stay unresolved.
What are the consequences of conflicts?
Ask the trainees some of the consequences of conflicts once unresolved. • Slow down development • Hinder prayer • Break relationships • Distort trust
Ask the trainees some of the benefits of resolving conflict • Restored unity and trust • Clean conscience, peace in your heart • Glorifying God by living in unity with each other (Psalm 133:1) • Your energy and time can go to other things in life • You can rely on one another and go farther together
What are the causes of conflicts?
Ask the trainees to share some of the causes of conflicts. • Disrespect • Disagreement over the goal, or misunderstanding of the goal • Miscommunication • Pride and selfishness
How do you resolve conflicts?
Ask the trainees some of the methods used to resolve conflicts in their churches, communities, groups, families etc. Then, emphasize resolving conflict in this order:
• Prayer • A talk among two parties: • Go to the other person alone first; • Humbly confess your faults in the situation and make an apology (Matthew 5:23-24) • If it still cannot be resolved, call friends who are neutral (Matthew 18:15-16) • Gacaca Ask the trainees to reflect: now that they have discussed conflict and conflict resolution, are there conflicts in their life where they owe someone an apology or may need prayer and help in resolving a conflict?
Key learning points
• Conflict is normal but we must work to resolve it. • Though God has created us with diverse personalities, we are called to be at peace with one another. • Conflict resolution is possible with humility, forgiveness, and God’s help
