Deep Bible study

Earlier this year we began a study on Mondays called "Christians In Conflict". This is a timely subject as there is rarely a shortage of conflict in our little congregation. This class will hopefully get some of us on the road to being more helpful in healing the rifts and schisms, personal disagreements humans seem to attract. The study is based on a book "A Heart at Peace" which is a greatly appealing subject. 

Over the holidays I was looking at the website of another church and saw that this subject was being covered in a ladies Bible study, a joint study with another congregation. I brought it to my pastor's attention and he made the executive decision (giving us three choices but putting his thumb on the scale for this subject) to use this study. I was thinking my heart was pretty much at peace---it was until we got into this class! Whew, it is powerful and makes a person really think deeply about our interactions with folks.

We are not progressing quickly, which is good, because there is much to discuss, real life scenarios about which to ask questions (abusive spouses, etc.). We got through Part One of the study, talking about the 4 Stages of Conflict, and ending with the reminder to not allow the sun to go down on our conflict, from Ephesians. Oh, so easily said, more difficultly done! 

The next chapter brought to the forefront the topic of envy and how pervasive it is in our society, the root of many of our conflicts. This seems to be exacerbated by the use of social media communications. Everything becomes a contest, or against something to measure ourselves.  It's so interesting to observe and most difficult to not participate in the game of measuring oneself against another. 

Pastor said if he could he would make this study mandatory for the congregation. Might even introduce this in his pre-martial and post-martial counseling. It might require some editing to allow it to flow more quickly. In the meanwhile, we dig deeply into what makes ourselves tick, and what ticks others off!