New Heart Community Church

Series:  Doing Church God’s Way

I Timothy 1:18-2:15-How To Deal with a Controversial Passage  (Part 1)

Sunday, February 24, 2008

Food for Thought

For the week of February 25, 2008

(Questions and Scriptures for further study)

 

1.  Working your way through a controversial passage that’s dividing the ranks can at times be no small challenge.  When reading the New Testament it doesn’t take long to find some examples of these kinds of controversies and their adverse impact.  Paul gives some ways to work through these kinds of issues in Romans 14:1-15:7.  As you read through this passage of Scripture, respond to the statements below.

Identify each of the issues of controversy and their impact on the church:

What remedies did Paul give to bring back unity and work through the issues?

Have you ever seen or found yourself in a situation similar to what Paul is describing?  If yes, what was helpful in the way it was handled or did you wish it would have happened differently based on this passage?

2. We all know that when controversy comes frustration can cause the situation to become more heated than need be.  When the heat gets turned up, too often those involved can lose the ability to work toward resolution or agreeing to disagree.   How do the following passages help us keep the situation moving toward resolution and not just arguing over the issue?

Proverbs 15:1

1 Corinthians 12:12-13, 21-26

Ephesians 4:3

Ephesians 4:29

Hebrews 12:14-15

1 Peter 2:16-17

Which of the above responses comes easiest to you?  Which one might be the most challenging?

3.  As a result of this week’s teaching and study, are there any issues you see less “black and white” that you may need to allow more room for those involved to “agree to disagree”?  Is there anyone with whom you need to make some amends regarding a past attitude you’ve had toward them?