Extreme views seem to be the norm these days. “You’re on my side, or you’re wrong!”
But what about when people claim their views are God’s views? This tends to make any discussion of the matter like walking through a minefield, so most of us just stay quiet. Nobody really likes conflict, but sometimes you just have to speak up. So when should we do that, and how?
This Week’s Listener Question:
It seems like a lot of religious people hold polarized views on political issues that in my mind are not clear in the Bible. My small group has gotten into heated debates where women are claiming their views are God’s view. I hate conflict and want harmony. I’m tempted to just quit the group. When do you think I should speak up?
Small Group Questions:
1. When have you found yourself in a group of people who hold vastly different views on political, social, or spiritual issues?
2. What “parts” or emotions rise up in you when you find yourself in a conflictual conversation?
3. In what ways can leading with love in small groups encourage respectful conversations and help develop deeper relationships even when opinions differ greatly?
4. Why would encourage the woman who asked the question to stay in her small group instead of quitting?
