Here is the outline for my first workshop at the Thrive! NCHE Conference. You can download it and you can view the prezi I used for the presentation. If you would like the article that unpacks biblical conflict resolution, sign up for post updates in the right sidebar and get How to Stop a Fight Before It Starts for free.

How to Stop the Fighting in Your Home
Session 11 Saturday 1:50-2:50 p.m

Why do we want to stop the fighting in our home?

Because it is pleasant to have a peaceful home (Prov 17:1).
Because we want to love and obey God (Eph 4:1-4).
Because we want to prepare our children for a life of maturity (Eph 6:4).

Three ways to stop the fighting in your home:

1. Set a peaceful example.

Stop fighting your spouse (Prov 26:21; Prov 21:19).
Stop fighting your children (Eph 6:4; Prov 15:1).
If you are fighting, then you are choosing to be selfish and prideful (James 4:1-2; 1 Cor 13:4-7).
Let the Spirit of Christ live in you! (Gal 2:20; 5:22-23).

2. Set basic rules of engagement.

No yelling
No violence.
No manipulation

3. Teach your children to speak truth to one another (Eph 4:15; Matt 18:15-17).

Teach them the Matt 18 process:

Speak to the other person privately.
Ask another person to help verify problem (I don’t require this step).
Go to those in authority to handle the situation.

4. Teach your children biblical conflict resolution.

Give space (James 1:19).
Check yourself (Matt 7:3-5).
Let go of anger (Eph 4:26-27; Matt 18:21-35).
Love (Mark 12:30; Gal 5:14).
Pray (Matt 5:44; James 1:5-8).
Talk about it (Prov 18:13;15:1).
Discern the issue (Rom 14:1-12).
Speak the truth (Matt 18:15; Eph 4:15; Gal 6:1).
Give space