Rules for Happy Living - Lesson 9
Teacher
Lesson Summary
In this ninth week of the "Rules for Happy Living" series, Larry Johnson taught on trusting God while resolving conflicts, with particular focus on Matthew 18:15-17 as the foundational text for biblical conflict resolution. Johnson emphasized that the primary objective of any confrontation must be reconciliation and restoration—to "win your brother"—not to win an argument or seek revenge. The teacher outlined several critical principles for resolving conflict biblically: confrontations should occur only when our motives are pure, a relationship has been established, we possess the wisdom to help, it is our God-ordained responsibility, and the person is ready to listen. Johnson addressed a common pitfall among Christians: meddling in conflicts that do not directly concern us. He used Proverbs 26:17 to illustrate how inserting ourselves into others' disputes often creates rebellion rather than resolution. The teacher reflected on his own past mistakes, acknowledging that his attempts to meddle in others' conflicts typically resulted in offense to both parties and damage to the cause of Christ. He explained that being a peacemaker does not mean inserting ourselves into every dispute, but rather maintaining peace in our own relationships so we can serve as Christ's ambassadors of reconciliation. The class also addressed the modern challenge of keeping conflicts private in an electronic age. Johnson warned against the ease with which emails, texts, and social media allow conflicts to spread rapidly and destructively. He advised that if someone sends an offensive message to multiple recipients, we should never reply-all or copy additional people, as this violates the principle of private confrontation. Throughout the lesson, Johnson stressed that God's principles of conflict resolution, when properly applied, lead to healing relationships and honor God's kingdom.
Key Scriptures
If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, just between the two of you, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.
Like one who seizes a dog by the ears is a passerby who meddles in a quarrel not his own.