BAD BLOOD | WEEK 3

 A Confrontation Or A Conversation 

INTRODUCTION 

When there’s bad blood in a relationship, the easiest thing to do is to let resentment and bitterness 

grow without addressing the issue. That’s the path of least resistance. It doesn’t make the conflict go 

away, but it avoids the relational mess of having to deal with the other person. 

Jesus calls his followers to a higher standard. He says that if we have a problem with another person, 

we should go and have a conversation with him or her. But why should you go, when should you go, 

and how should you go? 

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 

1. On a scale of 1–10, with 1 being “extremely uncomfortable” and 10 being “extremely comfortable,” how do you feel about confronting someone who has wronged you? 

   • How do you think that tendency has affected the quality of your relationships? 

     • What are some reasons people avoid confrontation?  

2. Are most of those reasons motivated by self-interest or genuine concern for the other person? 

   Read Matthew 5:23–24.  

   23 “So if you are presenting a sacrifice[a] at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, 24 leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God. 

3. Has your bad blood with another person ever affected the quality of your relationship with God?  

   • If so, what did you do? 

     Read Matthew 18:15.  

     15 “If another believer[a] sins against you,[b] go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. 

4. When you think about following Jesus’ advice in this verse, what is your gut reaction?  

   • What do you find challenging about what Jesus says? 

5. Is there someone to whom you need to repent because of the hurt you’ve caused him or her?  

• If so, how can you begin this week to take full responsibility, make no excuses, and lay out a plan for personal change. 

• Is there someone with whom you need to have a conversation? What steps can you take this week toward having that conversation?  

• How can this group support you? 

MOVING FORWARD 

If you have bad blood, don’t wait another minute. Don’t fool yourself into thinking that God is okay 

with your bad blood. He wants you to do all you can do to bring peace. Before making things right 

with God, make things right with others. Making peace with others clears the path to making peace 

with God. Imagine how God feels about that. 

CHANGING YOUR MIND 

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens 

and confesses it, you have won that person back.”  Matthew 18:15 (NLT)