Conflict Resolution Honor

ADRA

Requirements

  1. Explain how Christ encouraged people in conflict in the following Bible stories. Identify the nature of the conflict or the human needs in each story you explain.
    • John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the Adulterous Woman)
    • Matthew 18:1-6 (Disciples - The greatest in the kingdom of Heaven)
    • 1 Kings 3:16-28 (Solomon and the case of 2 women)

    Answer: 1) John 8:1-11 (Jesus and the adulterous woman): the teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought to Jesus a woman caught in adultery, wanting to stone her and at the same time set a trap against Him. Jesus said: "Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her". One by one they withdrew, and Jesus, without condemning or ignoring the sin, said: "Go and sin no more". Nature of the conflict: public accusation and judgment with a thirst for punishment; the human need was for mercy, dignity and a new chance, against the hypocrisy of the accusers. 2) Matthew 18:1-6 (The disciples – who is the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven): the disciples were arguing about who would be the greatest. Jesus called a child, placed it in their midst and taught that one must be converted and become like a child to enter the Kingdom, and that whoever humbles himself like the child is the greatest. Nature of the conflict: rivalry, pride and a search for status among the followers themselves; the human need was for humility, simplicity and dependence on God, instead of competition for position. 3) 1 Kings 3:16-28 (Solomon and the case of the two women): two women were disputing a living baby, each claiming to be the mother. Solomon asked for a sword and ordered the child to be divided in two; the true mother, moved by love, gave up her son so that he might live, and thus Solomon identified her and gave her the baby. Nature of the conflict: a dispute of ownership and the lie of one of the parties; the human need was for justice and truth, revealed by the wisdom that God gave Solomon, capable of exposing true maternal love. — The 3 conflicts have distinct natures: justice (Jn 8), ego (Mt 18), a dispute over property (1 Kgs 3). Christ (and Solomon prefiguring Christ) resolve each one with a SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLE: grace that forgives, humility that serves, wisdom that reveals. An eternal model for any Christian mediator of personal or community conflicts.

  2. Discuss the relationship, identity, racial and cultural conflicts faced by teenagers and young people in your community (e.g., relationship with parents, self-esteem, friendships).

    Answer: In a group (church, school, club), discuss REAL conflicts: RELATIONSHIP (family, dating, friends), IDENTITY (self-image, sexuality, self-esteem), RACIAL (prejudice, ethnic bullying), CULTURAL (traditional vs modern generation, religion vs society). Identify examples from YOUR community and propose practical solutions based on Christian values. — Adolescence is the phase with the GREATEST number of conflicts due to simultaneous biological + identity changes. Racial bullying affects about 40% of young Black Brazilians (IBGE, 2019). Discussing it openly destigmatizes it — those who talk about conflicts deal with them better. Conducting this discussion well requires a safe space and respectful mediation by the leaders.

  3. Describe the categories of human needs and present a real-life example for each of them.

    Answer: Maslow's pyramid (5 categories): PHYSIOLOGICAL (food, water, sleep — e.g., a homeless person), SAFETY (shelter, employment, health — e.g., a refugee), SOCIAL (family, friendship, belonging — e.g., an isolated immigrant), ESTEEM (recognition, status — e.g., a professional who is not promoted), SELF-ACTUALIZATION (purpose — e.g., a person in search of a vocation). — Abraham Maslow (1943) proposed the hierarchical pyramid — lower needs must be met before higher ones. Modern theory today criticizes its rigidity (the hierarchy is not so linear), but the 5 categories remain valid for understanding human behavior in conflicts. Knowing how to identify the unmet need helps with mediation.

  4. What does it mean to listen actively? Practice active listening by acting out the conflicts listed in item number 2.

    Answer: ACTIVE LISTENING means listening WITH FULL ATTENTION, without interrupting, showing interest in what the other person says. It includes: eye contact, an open posture, questions that go deeper, paraphrasing ("so you feel that...") and validating emotions ("I understand your frustration"). Practice by acting out the conflicts from item 2 with a colleague from the honor. — Active listening was popularized by Carl Rogers (1957) as the basis of humanistic therapy. Studies show that 60% of conflicts are resolved with active listening alone — the person feels heard and lowers their defenses. Acting it out dramatizes the theory — you feel how DIFFICULT it is not to interrupt, and how POWERFUL it is to be truly heard by the other side.

  5. Apply the following conflict resolution method to an example from item number 2.
    • Set up the scenario
    • Gather information
    • Identify the problem
    • Think about the solutions
    • Negotiate a solution

    Answer: Apply the 5 steps to a real conflict from item 2: (1) SET THE STAGE — a neutral space, rules of respect; (2) GATHER INFORMATION — listen to each side without interrupting; (3) IDENTIFY THE PROBLEM — formulate the real conflict in a single sentence; (4) THINK OF SOLUTIONS — brainstorming without judging ideas; (5) NEGOTIATE — choose a solution that both accept. Document it. — This method is the basis of professional MEDIATION — used in restorative justice and family conciliation. Step #3 (identifying the problem) is the most critical — almost always the declared conflict hides another real one (a "fight over money" may actually be "a lack of respect"). Trained mediators spend 60% of the time on this step.

  6. Explain how to make a referral to a professional counselor or pastor.

    Answer: Identify the need (a problem beyond your competence), explain to the person who needs help that you will refer them to a professional. Have the contact ready (name, phone, specialization). Make an INITIAL CALL presenting the case. Follow up with the referred person in the first sessions if possible. Keep total confidentiality about what was shared with you. — Referring is an ethical responsibility — those who try to solve problems beyond their capacity can cause more harm than help. The CRP (Regional Council of Psychology) lists psychologists by region. Adventist pastors have basic training in spiritual counseling but recognize their limits — they refer to a professional when necessary and appropriate.

  7. Discuss your reasons for wanting to help your friends when they face problems. What about a person who is not so familiar to you?

    Answer: Discuss your own motivations: empathy (feeling what the other feels), Christian love (Mt 22:39), companionship, moral duty, gratitude. For strangers the motivation changes: pure compassion (Lk 10 — the Good Samaritan), the Christian principle of serving everyone. Reflect: do you help those you know and those you do not know equally? Why or why not? — The Good Samaritan in Lk 10:25-37 illustrates exactly this point — Jesus told the parable to show that "neighbor" includes anyone in need, not just acquaintances. Modern research shows that we tend to help acquaintances 4x more than strangers — a natural bias that Christianity explicitly challenges, ever since the parable of the Samaritan.