Main Points:

Differentiate conflict from contention: Understand how healthy conflict can strengthen relationships when approached constructively. 

Identify root causes: Explore how contested resources, incompatible roles, and opposing values drive conflict beneath the surface. 

Apply peace-centered principles: Examine Christ’s example of peacemaking and learn to replace destructive habits with constructive patterns. 

Audience Takeaways:

• See conflict differently: Learn to distinguish between conflict and contention—and why one can actually lead to growth. 
• Understand what’s really going on: Discover the hidden drivers of conflict so you can address root issues instead of surface symptoms. 
• Move toward peace: Walk away with tools and insights to transform everyday conflicts into opportunities for connection. 

Main Points:

Explore five distinct approaches: Learn the strengths, limits, and appropriate uses of avoiding, accommodating, compromising, competing, and collaborating. 

Recognize your default style: Reflect on personal tendencies and motivations behind your approach to conflict. 

Develop adaptability: Practice applying different approaches depending on the situation to improve outcomes and relationships. 

Audience Takeaways:

• Recognize your conflict style: Identify your natural way of handling conflict—and understand how it impacts those around you. 
• Expand your options: Learn how and when to flex between different conflict styles instead of relying on one habitual pattern. 
• Practice strategic peacemaking: Leave with practical tools to improve your most important personal and professional relationships. 

Main Points:

Redefine anger: View anger as an “alarm clock” signaling unmet needs rather than something to suppress or act out. 

Practice nonviolent communication: Translate blame and accusation into self-awareness and clear requests for what you need. 

Apply anger management steps: Learn to pause, breathe, name needs, and make compassionate requests in moments of tension. 

Audience Takeaways:

• Reframe anger as information: Understand what your anger is trying to tell you about your needs or boundaries. 
• Shift from reaction to reflection: Practice communicating your needs without blame or defensiveness. 
• Strengthen connection through honesty: Use Nonviolent Communication tools to transform moments of tension into trust and understanding. 

Main Points:

Understand mediation fundamentals: Learn principles from Getting to Yes that guide fair, interest-based conflict resolution. 

Practice core mediation skills: Engage in boundary setting, perspective-taking, reframing, and joint problem-solving. Bring mediation home: Apply these tools in families, workplaces, congregations, and communities for healthier dialogue. 

Audience Takeaways:

• See yourself as a mediator: Realize how mediation skills can enrich everyday interactions, not just formal disputes. 
• Learn practical tools: Gain step-by-step methods—listening, reframing, brainstorming—that resolve tension and rebuild trust. 
• Apply it right away: Leave ready to practice one mediation skill in a real relationship or group setting. 

Main Points:

Recognize generational patterns: Explore common sources of intergenerational conflict rooted in values, roles, and expectations. 

Apply the theory of intergenerational solidarity: Understand how affection, consensus, and functional support build family resilience. 

Identify and address disruptions: Examine how societal pressures and communication gaps erode connection—and how to restore it. 

Audience Takeaways:

• Decode generational tension: Learn how differing worldviews and experiences shape communication challenges across generations. 
• Build bridges across differences: Use insights from intergenerational solidarity theory to foster connection and mutual respect. 
• Create family peace plans: Take home actionable steps to improve understanding and empathy within your own family.