READ: Matthew 5:38-48

“You have heard the law that says the punishment must match the injury: ‘An eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth.’ But I say, do not resist an evil person! If someone slaps you on the right cheek, offer the other cheek also. If you are sued in court and your shirt is taken from you, give your coat, too. If a soldier demands that you carry his gear for a mile, carry it two miles. Give to those who ask, and don’t turn away from those who want to borrow.

“You have heard the law that says, ‘Love your neighbor’ and hate your enemy. But I say, love your enemies! Pray for those who persecute you! In that way, you will be acting as true children of your Father in heaven. For he gives his sunlight to both the evil and the good, and he sends rain on the just and the unjust alike. If you love only those who love you, what reward is there for that? Even corrupt tax collectors do that much. If you are kind only to your friends, how are you different from anyone else? Even pagans do that. But you are to be perfect, even as your Father in heaven is perfect."

  • How were you taught to deal with, or handle conflict?

WATCH A CLIP FROM THE MOVIE & SUNDAY'S MESSAGE

DISCUSS:

  • Do Jesus's teachings on interaction with others seem like unachievable ideals that aren't even worth attempting?

 

  • Have you ever responded to violence, insult or humiliation with violence, insult or humiliation?
    • If yes, what was the outcome?

OVERCOMING HURT DOES NOT MEAN RETALIATION OR "GETTING EVEN," IT REQUIRES THE CREATIVITY TO CALL OUT YOUR OPPRESSOR'S HUMANITY BY REVEALING YOUR OWN

READ: Philippians 3:12-14

I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me. No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead, I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.

  • Can you look back at some past responses and see yourself responding better now?

 

  • Have you ever been in a situation where you had to "elevate" your response?

OUR RESPONSES ARE A MEASURE OF OUR GROWTH

  • How can we see conflict as a way to get to the deeper levels of our humanity?

 

  • Are there creative ways to overcome conflict by being proactive rather than reactive?