Key Thought: Conflict handled God’s way will strengthen your relationships.
Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.
What do you think of the concept “opposites attract”? Has there been a time where you’ve seen it proven or disproven?
Is it better to be Mr./Ms. Right or Mr./Ms. Always Right? Why?
What are some topics you think couples regularly disagree on?
How would you say that social media has impacted romantic relationships/marriages in the last 10 years?
Start thinking. Ask a thoughtful question.
Why do you think listening is such a rare skill in our modern world?
Why do you believe it is necessary for a healthy marriage to be full of compromise?
Would you prefer to hang with someone who always agrees with you or someone who has their own opinions that don’t always line up with yours?
If you are unable to meet in the middle, in what ways is meeting your spouse (or a friend) on his/her side a gift?
Start sharing. Choose questions that create openness.
How are you and your spouse (or current/past significant other) different from one another?
Describe a time when conflict ended a past relationship. If you had it to do over, would you change your actions and reactions in that situation?
How can you and your spouse meet in the middle on an issue you face right now?
How have you approached conflict in the past the wrong way?
Start praying. Be bold, and pray with power.
Dear Jesus, we know that in the past we have handled conflict in the wrong way. Help us from now on to handle it Your way. Give us the ability to listen like You would listen, and the courage to compromise knowing we always can’t have it our way. We invite You in to all of our relationships so that You can work in them the way You want to. In Your precious name we pray. Amen!
Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.
Implement a regularly scheduled listening time into your relationships where you listen to the other person’s point of view and needs without judging and without reacting.
Singles: Read The Five Love Languages and Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married by Gary Chapman, then pray for the spouse God will send you.
Couples: Begin loop-texting (inviting a third party in on texts with the opposite sex) for the next week and come back to your LifeGroup next week with a report on how it went.
Scriptures
Resources:
Five Love Languages, by Gary Chapman
Things I Wish I’d Known Before We Got Married, by Gary Chapman.
Scripture:
“For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.” Ephesians 2:10 NLT
“Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb.” Psalm 139:13 MSG
“Dear brothers, don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry; for anger doesn’t make us good…” James 1:19 TLB
“..husbands, live with your wives in an understanding way..” 1 Peter 3:7 ESV
“…you must clothe yourselves with tenderhearted mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.” Colossians 3:12 NLT
“Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.” Ecclesiastes 4:9 NLT
“…every husband must love his wife as he loves himself, and wives should respect their husbands.” Ephesians 5:33 GW
