Meaningful Friendships: Using Matthew 18 in Resolving Youth Ministry

Conflict
Conflict at Youth Group can come in many shapes and sizes for various
reasons. Thankfully Jesus gave the church a specific format to follow in
resolving conflict within the church. Youre role as volunteer will be to point
students to what Jesus teaches about resolving conflicts with one another.
If a student at Elevate approaches you wishing to resolve a conflict with
another student, this is the format we should follow:
Matthew 18:15 If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just
between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over.
If there is a conflict between two Christians, the first step is to address the
issue among the two of them one on one.
At Elevate: If not done already, encourage the student to discuss the conflict
with one another and attempt to resolve it like the verse suggests.
Matthew 18:16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so
that every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three
witnesses.
If the one causing the conflict doesnt listen, then the one who has been
sinned against is supposed to return with another Christian to discuss the
issue.
At Elevate: At this point if the student has not been willing to resolve the
issue, then you and another volunteer should have a conversation separately
with the students involved in order to resolve the conflict.
Matthew 18:17a If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church;
If the one causing the issue still will not be willing to resolve the conflict, then
Jesus instruction is to allow the church to get involved.
At Elevate: If the students are still unwilling to resolve any issues then
volunteers should find a staff member to help with discipline or resolving the
issue.

This week, lets be an example to our students teach through our

actions of how to resolve conflicts like Jesus taught us to.