Weekly Bible Study | September 1 & 2, 2026

Axe Small Group Study / Matthew 18:15–20

This week we turn to a passage that is deeply profound, yet often misused. Conflict is inevitable, even and especially in the church. One thing that Jesus never promises is that we will have a community without conflict. Instead, he teaches us how to respond when relationships break—with truth, accountability, dignity, grace, and, above all, a desire for restoration.

ZOOM Session

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, 6:00 pm to 7:00 pm.

IN PERSON Session

Wednesday, September 2, 2026, 1:00 pm-2:00 pm, Conference Room, McGee Building.

Zoom Link

https://us06web.zoom.us/j/6266887263?pwd=0MUbVwEauUpPqIJ7GVd6ebQegcj2cT.1&omn=85405132656

Meeting ID: 626 688 7263

Passcode: DEVOTIONAL

Opening Prayer

Gracious God, you have called us into the community, knowing that we will sometimes disagree and sometimes hurt one another. Give us courage to speak truth, humility to listen, wisdom to establish healthy boundaries, and grace to seek reconciliation. Help us see one another as people created in your image and beloved by you. Amen.

Scripture: Matthew 18:15–20

As you read/hear the passage, identify a word or phrase that catches your attention.

15“If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone. If the member listens to you, you have regained that one. 16But if you are not listened to, take one or two others along with you, so that every word may be confirmed by the evidence of two or three witnesses. 17If the member refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if the offender refuses to listen even to the church, let such a one be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector. 18Truly I tell you, whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven. 19Again, truly I tell you, if two of you agree on earth about anything you ask, it will be done for you by my Father in heaven. 20For where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.”

Discussion Questions

1. What seems most challenging about Jesus’ instructions? What surprises you? Does Jesus seem to expect the church to be free of conflict? What does he expect instead?

2. Jesus begins: “If another member of the church sins against you, go and point out the fault when the two of you are alone.” Our instincts are often different. We may avoid the person, complain to someone else, become defensive, or allow resentment to grow. But Jesus begins with direct, private conversation.

• Why is going directly to someone so difficult?
• What usually prevents us from having honest conversations?
• What’s the difference between confronting someone in anger and speaking the truth in love?
• How can gossip make reconciliation more difficult?

3. Jesus says: “If the member listens to you, you have regained that one.” Notice what Jesus does not say: You have won. You have proven yourself right. You have defeated your opponent. The goal is restoration.

• How does conflict change when the goal becomes restoring a relationship rather than winning an argument?
• Have you ever experienced a relationship becoming stronger after an honest disagreement?
• Is reconciliation always possible? If not, what might faithfulness look like when it isn’t?
• Consider this principle: In the upside-down kingdom, the goal of conflict isn’t victory over another person; it is restoration with another person whenever restoration is possible.

4. We naturally read this passage imagining that someone else has wronged us. But Christian community also requires us to consider: What happens when someone comes to me? Our immediate responses might be: “That isn’t what I meant.” “You misunderstood.” “You’re overreacting.” But someone’s experience of harm deserves to be heard even when harm wasn’t our intention.

• Why is it difficult to hear that we’ve hurt someone?
• What’s the difference between intention and impact?
• What might change if our first response were, “Tell me more”?
• Why can saying “I was wrong” or “I’m sorry” be an act of spiritual strength rather than weakness?

5. Jesus’ teaching should never be used to require someone experiencing abuse, violence, harassment, or exploitation to confront an unsafe person privately. Sometimes faithfulness requires: boundaries, accountability, outside assistance, or separation. Forgiveness does not mean pretending harm didn’t happen. Forgiveness does not eliminate consequences. Reconciliation does not necessarily mean restoring a relationship to what it was before.

• What’s the difference between forgiveness and reconciliation?
• Can we forgive someone while maintaining boundaries?
• Why is accountability sometimes necessary for genuine reconciliation?

6. Conflict easily turns people into labels: Conservative / Liberal /Troublemaker / Hypocrite / That person. Jesus asks us to remember that even someone with whom we strongly disagree remains a person created in God’s image.

• How do labels make it easier to dismiss or mistreat people?
• Can we strongly challenge someone’s behavior while still honoring their dignity?
• What does it mean to disagree with someone without dehumanizing them?
• How could Christians model a healthier way of disagreement in our divided culture?
• A useful principle might be: Even when I believe you are wrong, you do not stop being someone God loves.

7. John Wesley understood Christian faith as something we practice together. Early Methodist class meetings brought people together for prayer, encouragement, spiritual growth, and accountability. The assumption was not: “Good Christians never struggle.” It was: “God’s grace can work through other people to help us grow.” That’s part of sanctifying grace—God continually forming us toward greater love of God and neighbor.

• Who has loved you enough to tell you something you needed—but didn’t necessarily want—to hear?
• How can accountability become an expression of grace?
• What kind of church environment makes honest conversation possible?

8. Jesus concludes: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” We often hear this as reassurance when worship attendance is small. But notice the context. Jesus is talking about people dealing with conflict. Imagine two people sitting across from one another, trying to tell the truth, listen, apologize, forgive, or find a way forward. Jesus says: “I am there.”

• How does the context change the way you hear this familiar verse?
• Where might Christ be present in a difficult conversation?
• What would change if we entered conflict believing that Christ was sitting at the table with us?

Spiritual Practice for the Week

1. When someone frustrates or hurts you this week, before talking about that person, pause and ask: Have I talked with that person?

2. Then pray: Christ, help me seek truth without condemnation, accountability without humiliation, and reconciliation without sacrificing healthy boundaries. Help me see this person as you see them. If direct conversation is appropriate and safe, consider taking one small step toward it.

3. Complete these thoughts:

One relationship in which God may be inviting me toward greater understanding is…

One thing I need more of in difficult conversations is… courage, humility, patience, honesty, listening, forgiveness, or wisdom.

Closing Prayer

God of reconciliation, when relationships become difficult, keep us from choosing gossip over conversation, winning over understanding, or resentment over grace. Give us courage to speak when truth needs to be spoken and humility to listen when truth is spoken to us. Teach us to forgive without ignoring harm, to establish boundaries without hatred, and to seek restoration whenever it is possible. Make our church a community where people can disagree without destroying one another, where dignity is protected, accountability is practiced, and grace always leaves room for transformation. And when difficult conversations come, remind us of Christ’s promise: “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I am there among them.” Amen.