Lesson 07

Question 1

What is an inevitable and necessary part of community life?

Answer 1

Conflict

Question 2

Define conflict:

Answer 2

The intersection of competing claims, ideals, expectations and desires

Question 3

Describe what conflict is and what it is not:

Answer 3

Conflict is not a behaviour, activity or endeavour, but rather a statement of what is - a reality.

Question 4

Give a biblical example of operational (healthy) conflict:

Answer 4

In Acts 15, the early church solved the problem of conflicting interests - maintaining Jewish identity versus making the gospel available to non-Jews.

Question 5

What does unhealthy conflict arise from?

Answer 5

Unhealthy motives, selfish agendas, uninformed decisions and ignorance

Question 6

What is confrontation?

Answer 6

The recognition and engagement of conflict by the parties involved

Question 7

List the two (2) types of confrontation:

Answer 7

a. Contention

b. Collaboration

Question 8

List the two (2) negative results of undirected conflict:

Answer 8

a. It can consume an organisation’s resources

b. If not publicly addressed, it can become the topic of personal conversations in informal settings

Question 9

Does a leader need to personally manage every single conflict? Why/why not?

Answer 9

No. Some will work themselves out overtime , while others can be dealt with by the individuals in question between themselves.

Question 10

How does the process of conflict create cohesion in a team?

Answer 10

The team members would have lived through the experience and come to a shared conclusion.