Uncomfortable S2 - End of Week 1

The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion. Feel free to add or subtract or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN
What are some of your all-time pet peeves that other people do that drive you crazy?  Have you ever had someone in your life who you never thought you’d become friends or allies, but at some point that change?  What happened?

HEAD
The call to lovewell, means loving those that we may disagree with, or in Jesus’ terms, even in our enemies.  This study dives into some concepts of our call to love, to listen, and to seek to live at peace with others.

1. Read the following verses together, then reflect on any  any wisdom, insights, or thoughts that come from the reading: Matthew 5: 43-48, Matthew 18: 15-20, James 1: 19, John 17: 20-21, Romans 12: 14-18.
2. In the Matthew 5 text, Jesus ends that text by saying, “Be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect.”. What is the context of this type of “perfection”?  Is it morality, behavior, or something else?
3. What does loving enemies, praying for those who persecute you, or as Jesus said a few verses earlier, “turning the other cheek,” do to help build relationships and bring a little of heaven to earth?
4. In both Matthew 18 and James 1: 19, what are some key takeaways as to how to deal with disagreements or issues with a brother/sister in Christ? (remember, this was talking about people in the family of God)
5. Jesus prayed for us to have unity.  What is unity?  Is it agreeing on everything?  Is it uniformity?  Why do you think unity is important for believers and how does it help others to know we are His followers?
6. Romans 12 gives us some tough commands, uncomfortable commands.  How do we go about living in harmony with those different than us?  The line, “as far as it is possible, live in peace with one another;” what can we take from this thought that both challenges us and comforts us?

HEART

1. Why do you think Jesus and the NT make such a point to teach us how to get along with one another?
2. It seems the art of truly listening to people’s stories, instead of jumping to conclusions or judging them, seems to be going by the wayside.  How can you and I practice listening more and judging less?
3. In Jesus’ Sermon on the Mount, He said, “blessed are the peacemakers,” not the peacekeepers, but peacemakers.  How do we go about making peace in the world around us?

HANDS
This week, consider someone you struggle to connect with, or share a lot of differing opinions with, or struggle to understand.  Pray about a way to connect with them. Maybe ask them out for coffee to listen to their story, perform an act of kindness for them, or see where the Spirit leads to build a bridge of connection even if it’s uncomfortable.

LIVING WORDS FOR YOUR WEEK
“Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. Share with the Lord’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
-Romans 12:9-13 NIV