Discussion Questions 11/21/20

11/21/2020

These discussion questions are based on the sermon titled "Personality Clash".
Here are some discussion questions that you can talk about with the people that are in your home with you. You can also call a friend who was watching and discuss it with them. Or you can break out a notebook and use these questions to journal your thoughts on the message. Those who are at the church will discuss this after the message.

1. How do different personalities sometimes clash?

2. What are some reasons that people do not get along?

3. Why should we not try to get revenge on someone else?

4. Why should we still address an issue when someone wrongs us?

5. How should we approach people who have wronged us?

6. Why should we avoid trouble makers after we have tried once or twice to reach out to them?

7. How can we season what we say to others with grace?

8. What message did you personally take away from this sermon?

9. How can you apply this sermon to your life?

10. What practical thing can you do today to get started?

Feel free to share some of your thoughts in the comment section below:

6 Comments

Helen Morgan

11/21/2020 08:04:22 pm

1) How do different personalities sometimes clash?
Different personalities sometimes clash when people find themselves in conflict not over particular issue or incident but due to their approaches to things. Simply put, people with different personality types see things differently. For example: A dominant personality can try to be more patient and ask more questions, while a steady personality can work on becoming more assertive. Similarly, those with an influential personalities can practice being a better listener and more organized, while conscientious personality can be more flexible and encourage creativity in others. We have to choose our battles because if we are working towards a common good, then we have to know that we are on the same team and respect other individual's expertise or opinion. You might like to speak your mind, but others may not like it as a result you could find yourself being isolated.

2) What are some reasons that people do not get along?
The church is required by God to foster relationships of the utmost integrity, truthfulness and trustworthiness. We sometimes experience personality clash within the church and when that happens it should be dealt with in a timely manner, recognizing that we are all less than perfect and we occasionally find members experiencing personality clash. Some of the reasons that people do not get along is because: a) people want to get their own way and they are mad when that don't happen; (b) some religious people are the kind of people who like to tell others what to do as if the same thing doesn't apply to them; (c) in some cases you will find a member or group of members don't have similar point of view and beliefs and if you challenge those views or beliefs you could experience dissension and/or separation. James 4:1 states that fights and quarrels among us comes from over desires for pleasures that are battling within us. Take a look at the twelve apostles, there was Judas! which tells me that dissension and discord is a natural part of human weakness.

4) Why should we still address an issue when someone wrongs us?
When someone do us wrong, it is important that we obey the instructions of Jesus to go to the one who offended us and talk to that individually instead of talking to others about it. Proverb 15 tells us that a gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare. As Pastor Jamel stated in his sermon, we must think before we speak and that we can confront the offender but do it with humility because the purpose for the discussion is to get that individual free from the trap of the devil. As followers of God our goal is to win them over to Christ.
Titus 3: 10-11 informs us that if people are causing division among us we give a first and second warning. After that we should have nothing more to do with them because people like those have no intentions of reconciling, so go on your way as they have already condemn themselves.

Wayne Jamel

11/29/2020 06:55:46 pm

yeah each personality if used wisely can be utilized for good. In the same time each personality when careless can cause harm.
The things you mentioned here are wise.

Selva Mason

11/23/2020 05:13:02 am

1. How do different personalities sometimes clash?

2. What are some reasons that people do not get along?

3. Why should we not try to get revenge on someone else?

4. Why should we still address an issue when someone wrongs us?

5. How should we approach people who have wronged us?

We should approach people who have wronged us with open-mindedness. I say this because sometimes we are offended by someone else but its just miscommunication and the this misunderstanding can be resolved through conversation.

6. Why should we avoid trouble makers after we have tried once or twice to reach out to them?

This is very interesting. I say this because I have never thought to avoid trouble makers, I always feel like in a church or work setting or even in family situations, I will still have encounters with this person, so I always try to resolve issues with "trouble makers." I guess it would make sense to avoid these types of people if they are unwilling to work things out.

Or maybe, I will say its better for me to let it go if I am ever in such a situation. So instead of resenting this person, I'll accept the fact that this person don't want to work things out so I will find other ways to live in peace rather than consistently trying to resolve things.

I am torn in my response to this question because there has been occasions where I perceived someone as a trouble maker but really all I had to do is get off of my high horse and try to under where the person is coming from. When I told this person that I found her to be loving and caring and her current actions did not match with who I understand her to be and I would like her to express love and care in our interactions together because this makes me happy, she was brought to tears gave me a hug. Since this conversation, we have been smooth saling in our relationship since this conversation. So, sometimes we write people off too soon because of pride and fear of getting our feelings hurt or just not being willing to offer our time because we feel these types of people are not deserving. Its great that the Bible gives specific guidance of how to deal with "trouble makers" after trying to work things out at least twice. Prayer is key in these situations. I prayed about the situation I described above for 4 years straight, I saw a light at the end of the tunnel when I woke up one morning and God said, "Selva, you are bigger than this. Let's squash this mess." And I willingly smiled and said okay and began calling this person once per week for months. I would leave a message asking for the person to call me back each time. This is something I have never done before but I will tell you that with God's help, my pride went out the door and the situation ended successfully. My point is, even when we perceive people as trouble makers, praying to God for guidance and asking Him to create the type of relationship we desire to have with this person is possible, like all other things that we ask for in the name of Jesus, God answers our prayers just in time.

11/29/2020 07:08:00 pm

Very well said. Sometimes pride gets in the way of reconciliation. The Bible mentions trying 1-2 times because we should not just write people off right away. Like you said, it may just be a misunderstanding. And even if it is not a miss understanding it is important to take time and even sacrifice our feelings to bring reconciliation.
In the church there are people who are causing division and after trying to reach out to them once or twice, walking away many times is for their benefit. Some people are fueled by attention. Sometimes people need that seemingly harsh response because it can serve as a wake up call.
When we avoid people it should not be because of pride or "i don't like you". It should be because I love you and I want what is best for you. Sometimes what is best for someone is for you to walk away. 1 Timothy 1:20 is an example of that.

11/30/2020 07:16:24 am

Thank you for this perspective. 1 Timothy 1:20 is an example of that, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

11/30/2020 02:18:47 pm

Yeah see the emphasis is "that they may learn"

Discussion Questions 11/21/20

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