Conflict: A Redemptive Opportunity

CCEF Minibooks

by Timothy S. Lane

Everyone has their own style of dealing with conflict. Some people try to win at all costs and will do or say anything to get their own way. Others hate conflict and will do or say anything to avoid or end it. Sadly, neither fighting nor avoidance leads to genuine peace or restored relationships. Is there a better way? In CCEFs A Redemptive Opportunity, Timothy S. Lane, pastor, counselor, husband, and father, shares the biblical principles that point to God's better way of dealing with conflict. When you understand the real source of your conflicts and the lasting cure that God in his Word offers, you will see that your conflicts don't have to be negative; instead they can be an opportunity to grow and deepen your relationship with God and others. All the minibooks in our Christian bookstore offer gospel-centered hope for everyday issues like parenting, marriage, and personal change. These easy-to-read discipleship and biblical counseling resources tackle lifes toughest issues in 30 minutes or less.Minibooks are frequently used by pastors and ministry leaders to help others apply biblical wisdom to specific life issues. Churches, biblical counseling ministries, and missional organizations make the minibooks available in their acrylic display cases to further discipleship and gospel-centered living.

Genres: Counselling, Christian

24 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2006

About the author

Timothy S. Lane, M. Div., D. Min.
Born in Sylvania, Georgia, Tim enjoyed a good relationship with his parents in his formative years, but he did not become involved in church until his later teens. Just before his senior year in high school, Tim became aware of his sin and his need for Jesus. God used simple salvation sermons at a local church, as well as a group of friends, to bring him to Christ at the age of seventeen.

In 1984, Tim graduated with a degree in English and Philosophy from the University of Georgia. Before going to seminary in 1987, Tim served 3 years as a staff person at an evangelical ministry where he met Barbara, whom he later married in 1989. In 1991, Tim graduated from Westminster Seminary in Philadelphia.

In 1991, Tim and Barbara also moved to South Carolina where Tim served as assistant pastor and then pastor at Clemson Presbyterian Church until 2001. It was during these 10 years that Tim truly began to understand and apply the gospel to his life and ministry. He learned that the blessings and difficulties of marriage, family and ministry were just the things God used to draw him into a deeper relationship with Him. He also learned how to apply God’s truth to everyday life and ministry, pointing others to Christ and his gospel of grace.

Tim, Barbara and their four children moved to Philadelphia in 2001 where they both serve at the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation. Tim is a counselor and faculty member at CCEF and a lecturer in practical theology at Westminster Theological Seminary. He is also a speaker, the author of CONFLICT and the co-author of HOW PEOPLE CHANGE and RELATIONSHIPS: A Mess Worth Making.

- http://www.bookreporter.com/authors/t...

Reviews

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

The heart issue of conflict is that a simple desire (comfort, approval, success, power) has grown into a self-centered, sinful demand.
Lane does a great job walking us through Biblical ways to grow towards godliness in our conflicts.

[Becky Wright · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book we studied as part of a church book group. Very helpful to think of conflict as God's purpose for good to come. The book allowed time to consider conflict seen in the Bible but also our daily lives. It gave a great examples of a couple in which many comparisons could be made to 'real life'.
Practical steps are included to help think biblically how conflict should be dealt with.

[Shannon Woodhouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This concise, quick read provides a detailed explanation of the root of conflict and gives a step by step plan for addressing it. I appreciate how much information Lane managed to include in such a small pamphlet type book and the fact that it can easily be kept in my Bible bag for easy reference.

[Mike E. · Rating 3 out of 5]

These mini-books (or pamphlets) are outstanding.

I am in the process of reading all of them. Concise. Biblical. Practical.

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What do I want right now more than Christ and how am I acting to get it?

[Flo · Rating 3 out of 5]

gut als erster Einstieg; theologisch stimmig; Deutsche Übersetzung leider etwas holprig.

[Joc-e-lyn · Rating 5 out of 5]

J'ai lu la version française "Les conflits". Il n'existe pas beaucoup de livret chrétien francophone sur la gestion des conflits. Un livret que chaque chrétien devrait lire.

[Matthew Rawlings · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great booklet that every church should have on hand.

[Jimmy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had our church’s couple’s group go over this booklet. I appreciate the author’s attempt to construct a biblical view of conflict that approached conflict as a redemptive opportunity. I feel often times counseling booklets are either really good or they were okay but weren’t necessarily that profound or life changing. During my first reading I felt this booklet would be in the category of being biblical but wasn’t as profound. After I went through this booklet again and reviewed what I highlighted I think it was much more helpful than I first thought. I thought the best part of this booklet was the author’s discussion of how to properly diagnosed what one’s problem truly is in a conflict; and secondly I thought the discussion of three ungodly strategies towards conflict to be helpful. I think this booklet would be a great asset for counseling or discipleship, including pre-marital counseling.

[James Fields · Rating 4 out of 5]

While reading this book, I found it hard to focus. It wasn't super engaging for me. I could tell this book was biblically sound, but it didn't draw me in. Because my complaint is about his communication style, I'm only marking off one point. We all have different styles that appeal to us and this one might be perfect for you.

To see more reviews check out my blog: This Sporadic Life

[Caleb · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book! A Book every Christian should read. Worth reading over and over again. Immensely biblical, practical, and a short read, took like 30 minutes to read.