Learn to live at peace with others even when you disagree by studying biblical stories of rivalries in Common Ground by Amberly Neese. Whether it is in politics, the professional world, a party, or a pew, we face conflict every day. As discussions get more heated and social media is deluged with opinion-spewing, hurt feelings, and broken relationships, we need hope and practical tools to navigate the tumultuous waters and live at peace with everyone.
Fortunately, the Scriptures hold the key to living at peace despite our differences. In
Common Ground, a four-week Bible study, Amberly Neese combines stories of sibling rivalries from the Bible with personal experience, humor, hope, and her love of God’s Word.
Stories examined from the Old and New Testaments include:
- Joseph and His Brothers: How to Combat Jealousy
- Moses, Miriam, and Aaron: How to Work Together Despite Differences
- Mary, Martha, and Lazarus: How to Appreciate the Contributions of Others
- Rachel and Leah: Having Compassion for the Plight of Others
These stories point us to peace and reconciliation in all our relationships, reassuring us that it is possible to find common ground with everyone—despite our differences.
Women will find biblical and practical help for:
- Facing conflict
- Navigating broken relationships
- Handling heated discussions (in person and on social media)
- Living at peace despite differences
Components for this four-week Bible study, each available separately, include a Study Guide with Leader Helps, and video sessions with four 20 to 25-minute segments (with closed captioning).
Session Descriptions
Week 1In the week 1 video, Amberly presents the “Bible Buzz” review of Joseph’s story and shares four helpful peace practices using the acronym ROTS that can help us to keep envy from “rotting the bones” (Proverbs 14:30).
Week 2In the week 2 video, Amberly presents the “Bible Buzz” review of the siblings Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and explores for Cs that can help us work together in community despite our differences, encouraging us to focus on the things that unite us.
Week 3In the week 3 video, Amberly presents the “Bible Buzz” review of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus and explores Romans 12:4-5 as she offers help for appreciating the contributions of others. She also presents documented benefits of celebrating others to show that appreciating one another is good for everyone.
Week 4In the week 4 video, Amberly presents the “Bible Buzz” review of Rachel and Leah and explores the divisive and destructive power of unhealthy competition and the power of having compassion for the plight of others. She encourages us to find common ground by growing in empathy, humility, and connection.
