Media Center / Subject Guides / Peace and Conflict Subject Guide

Peace and Conflict Subject Guide

Last Updated: August 2, 2011

Purpose: These resources address issues of peace and conflict. This study guide was prepared for the annual observance of the International Day of Peace on September 21st.

This guide may also be printed and given to your church leaders or any other church members interested in borrowing resources from the NCCUMC Media Center. Download the PDF to print this guide.

Subjects and Keywords

Search for these subjects or keywords in the Media Center catalog:

Subjects
Peace and Justice

Keywords
Beatitudes
Compassion
Conflict
Love
Neighbor
Non-violence
Peace
Refugee
Shalom
Violence

Electronic Resource Keywords
Click on these words at http://nccumc.org/mediacenter/electronic-resources/ to find electronic resources related to this subject.

Conflict
Peace

Adult Resources

Video Resources

DVD72 NOOMA: Bullhorn
“Sometimes we strongly disagree with other people’s political views, religious beliefs, behaviors, or something else, and it makes it hard to love them…Jesus doesn’t separate loving God and loving others”…should Christians love everyone too?

DVD157 All Good Gifts
14 Stories of United Methodist Connectional Giving. Each video is 2-14 minutes long. World Service Fund, Africa University Fund, Ministerial Education Fund, Advance, Human Relations Day, One Great Hour of Sharing, Native American Ministries Sunday, Peace with Justice Sunday, World Communion Sunday, and United Methodist Student Day are all covered.

DVD175 Mayberry Bible Study: Volume I
4 episodes of the Andy Griffith TV show are the cornerstones for Bible Study and discussions. A leader’s guide is included, plus a participant master for your group. Used by adults, youth and family night groups. Episode: Andy’s English Valet, Lesson: The Secret Service (Ephesians 6:7); Episode: Class Reunion, Lesson: A Peace of the Past (Psalm 85:8); Episode: Dogs, Dogs, Dogs, Lesson: Begging for Mercy (Matthew 5:7); and Episode: The Darlings are Coming, Lesson: Crime and Punishment (Proverbs 16:3).

DVD254 The Jesus Creed: Seven Lessons on Loving God and Others
What is The Jesus Creed?; Do you need a new beginning?; What has God Called you to Become?; How is God Calling you to compassion?; What Kind of society should Christians make?; Yes, Disciples fail and Living the Jesus Creed are the titles of the 7 sessions lead by Scot McKnight, using the traditional “Hear, O Israel, the Lord or God..” and the words of Jesus, “Love your neighbor as yourself” as a tool for recommitting our lives and actions to building of the Kingdom. DVD comes with guidelines for using with a group and a copy of McKnight’s book.

DVD280 Stories of Hope: UMCOR
Learn how United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) people and programs have cultivated hope all over the world. Gifts to UMCOR go to provide much-needed relief and assistance to survivors of all kinds of tragedies. These four stories about UMCOR’s work are: 1) UMCOR in Darfur (5:04); 2) U.S. hurricane recovery (3:46); 3) Sager Brown (6:19); and 4) Justice for our neighbors (6:35).

DVD377 Morning Coffee: #3 Justice
Have you had your Morning Coffee today? This third helping considers justice, healing and humility. As always, this coffee will wake you up to a deeper walk with Christ. Topics are: Justice: It’s better than revenge, deeper than restitution Healing: Why are some people healed and others not? Humility: You don’t have to put yourself down Vital Visuals. EcuFilm reviewer’s note: Similar in format to Zondervan’s popular NOOMA DVDs, this resource features original music and conversation-generating homilies by United Methodist pastor Mark Flynn. Includes a discussion guide.

DVD420 When Freedom? Sudan in Captivity
“Sudanese refugees remind us of those who remain in Sudan, living in constant fear. Churches continue worship, education, and health care as they address issues of justice and peace, inviting us to be partners in their struggles and dreams.”

DVD441 Picture the Power
“This video highlights ministries like United Methodist Youth, scouting, education, Communities of Shalom and AIDS clinics around the world. Together we can Picture the Power of changing lives through the World Service Fund.” The entire video is online at: http://media.umcom.org/umcgiving/2008/all_good_gifts/01_picture_the_power_wsf_small.asx.

DVD461 Why? Making Sense of God’s Will
When the ground shakes, and a poor nation’s economy is destroyed; when the waters rise, washing away a community’s hopes and dreams; when a child suffers neglect and abuse; when violence tears apart nations; where is God? If God is all powerful, and if each one of us is a beloved child of God, then how can God allow tragedy and suffering to infest his creation? In Why? Making Sense of God’s Will, best-selling author Adam Hamilton brings fresh insight to the age-old question of how to understand the will of God. Rejecting simplistic answers and unexamined assumptions, Hamilton addresses how we can comprehend God’s plan for the world and ourselves. This DVD with a leader’s guide is four sessions based on the book of the same title.

Resource codes that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR.

VC130 Bonhoeffer: A Life of Challenge
“Who is the Christ for us today?” is the question that some say led Dietrich Bonhoffer to a martyr’s death. Reflective tributes and a view of this exceptional life are presented in this video. A leader’s guide is included.

VC135 Building Shalom Families in the 90′s and Beyond
Used in whole or in parts, this video kit comes with resource materials and a short video piece on a variety of subjects relating to families responding in a peaceful and loving way to each other and their communities. Activity ideas and handout sheets are included.

VC170 Christian Faith in A Violent World
“This video presents examples of laity and clergy serving as ministers of God’s saving word in the midst of a violent world.” It looks at forms of domestic violence, violence against children, and crime and violence in the media. A study guide is included.

VC182 World Song
“World Song is a joyful kaleidoscope of images that celebrates the common humanity which unifies all the cultures of the world.” Families of the world are shown experiencing the birth of children, their growth and branching out, first love, marriage, aging and death.

VC587 Jordan’s Stormy Bank
An outline of the history of the relations between Jews, Christians, and Muslims with a focus on the present conflicts between Palestinians and Israelis.

VC588 Joshua-Judges: The Standard Bible Study
8 sessions. “Using vibrant animated maps, visual materials from Canaan and interviews with both Christian and Jewish scholars, the Joshua-Judges material come to life.” Military uprisings, roles of important women leaders such as Deborah, violence and religious fanatics are some of the interesting topics covered in this series. It comes with a leader’s guide and sample student book.

VC674 Make a Little Difference
Produced by the United Nations High Commission for Refugees, this video presents the voices of refugee children from around the world.

VC780 No Place to Call Home
This video explores the root causes of today’s crises for the men, women and children who are refugees in the world. It was a recommended resource for the 1998-1999 UMW Missions study.

VC1162 Why We Care: About Refugees
A compassionate account of the plight of refugees from El Salvador, Ethiopia and Haiti searching for freedom and peace.

VC1218 Faith & Reason: Was Jesus Really a Peacemaker?
From the Jesus, Faith and Practice series of the Faith & Reason program. The discussion leaders are: Dominic Crossan and Charles Kiblinger.

VC1326 When It Is Hard to Choose: Compassion
Liking the unlikeable, practicing compassion, caring more for stuff than people, and not wanting to be taken advantage of are all topics discussed in this first video in the series. Discussion guideline included.

VC1330 When It Is Hard to Choose: Non-Violence
Control through violence, stopping violence with more violence, using corporal punishment, cultural violence, and road rage are topics covered on this tape. A leader’s guideline is included.

VC1350 Questions of Faith V: 5 How Can We Love Practically Anybody?
The panel discusses the following questions: What is love?, Do we love ourselves as we should?, Have you experienced hate?, How do you love someone who hates you or whom you hate?

VC1416 Bonhoeffer: Agent of Grace
A true story of love, courage and sacrifice, this video version of the winner of the best film at the Monte Carlo television festival in 2000 depicts the last years of Bonhoeffer’s participation in the German resistance.

VC1504 Finding Peace in a Troubled World
By Max Lucado. What does the last week of the life of Jesus tell us about our walk as Christians? 8 Sessions: Don’t Just Do Something-Stand There, Hucksters and Hypocrites, Uncluttered Christianity, The End Will Come, The Sign of the Saved, When Your World Turns Against You, Christ’s Most Painful Words, and Never Give Up. Comes with viewing guidelines to copy for your group.

VC1528 Lift Every Voice: The Bible in an Age of Diversity
In the video Fr. Cain Hope Felder, New Testament Professor at Howard University, gives lectures on topics of diversity found in scripture. They are: The Liberating Power of the Bible, One Race the Human Race, Biblical Responses to Racism, the Importance of Justice and Peace, God’s Message of Community. Tony Campolo gives a short commentary on each of these topics. Leader’s Guidelines are included.

VC1631 Conflict in the Church
This video and study guide is intended to be used in small groups as they study the issues involved in defining and dealing with conflict in the local church. 4 ten minute video sessions are suggested using the leader guidelines which are included.

VC1745 Martin Luther King, Jr.: The Man and the Dream
From the A&E network Biography series: Martin Luther King, Jr.’s tireless efforts to end racial injustice through non-violent means made him the soul of the Civil Rights Movement.” Through actual footage, interviews and analysis of speeches and sermons, this program reveals a portrait of this “powerful voice for peace, justice and change.”

KIT42 Just Neighbors: Helping Communities of Faith Help People in Need
A program kit to help local churches teach participants to be more aware of the social and economic needs of all of our neighbors. Includes the materials for 9 sessions that may be adapted to meet your preferences: Who is my neighbor? Making ends meet, What would you choose, Does working work, Housing Matters, Prejudice-privilege-poverty, Our Children-Our Future, Justice for All and Stepping out in faith. Includes videos and activity materials.

Books

BK14 Uprooted! Leader’s Guide
A 5 session plan is outlined in this guide for Uprooted!: Refugees and Forced Migrants.

BK15 Uprooted: Refugees and Forced Migrants
Uprooted! explores the economic, political, ecological, and religious conditions’ experienced by growing number of men, woman and children. This was the social concern study for UMW for 1998-1999, written by Elizabeth Ferris.

BK420 Workbook on the Beatitudes
Eight week study explores these themes: Blessed are You, Having Nothing, Possessing Everything, Tears in the Night, Joy in the Morning, Blessed are the Meek, Righteousness and Mercy, Pure in Heart, The Peacemakers, The Crown of Righteousness. Includes daily readings and questions for reflection, then sharing in group. Can be used as study for individual or for a small group.

BK423 Journey to the Center of the Faith
This book talks about the Christian faith in ways that connect with people who are searching for a clear center to their faith. A small group study with study, readings and practice suggestions for the 12 chapter themes, such as: Getting to Know Jesus, Dealing with Sin, and Planting Seeds of Peace.

BK496 The Beatitudes for Today
Howell, pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church in Charlotte, applies Jesus’ teachings to our lives today. Illustrations and discussion questions will help your group look at these well known phrases in a new way.

Youth Resources

Video Resources

DVD184 Peace DVD: Especially for Youth
A 6 session series: Peace with God, Peace and Community, Peace and the Earth, Peace and Service, Peace and Nation, and Bits and Peaces. DVD provides material for each of the sessions ranging from 5 minutes to 25 minutes of the session’s time. Leader’s guide provides plan including scripture and discussion.

KIT84 Thermostat DVD and Study Guide
Thermostat features a DVD and study guide with 33 sessions divided into 7 units: Peacemaking, Imagination, Allegiance, Security, Terrorism, Camouflage and Nonviolence. You can mix and match to choose what interests your group most.Sessions include Bible studies, role plays, personal stories, video clips, dramas, handouts, background reading and more. Though Thermostat is designed for youth groups, many sessions encourage intergenerational conversation.

KIT105 Rings of Fellowship Bible Study
Rings of Fellowship is Disciple Bible Outreach Ministries’ youth Bible study curriculum. First developed in partnership with the NC Department of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, RINGS follows the model of DISCIPLE and is designed to reach teens in an innovative format that promotes spiritual growth and positive peer dynamics. RINGS stands for Responsibility, Invitation, Neighbors, God and Service and teaches the Biblical themes of love for God and love for neighbor. RINGS is suitable for use in a number of settings including local church youth groups, youth Sunday School classes, institutional settings or as a community-based outreach.

Resource codes that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR.

VC735 Generation 13: My Brother’s Keeper
How to deal with anger and how to use conflict resolution as Christians are topics covered by Miles McPherson. He reminds youth that anger itself is not sinful, however, how we respond to that anger can be!

VC863 Questions of Faith for Youth 2: 5 What Can You Do About Violence?
The panel of youth discusses: What can we do about violence?, Is violence a problem in your school or neighborhood?, Have you been a victim of violence had violent urges?, What can youth do about it?

VC969 Sunburst: Conflict Resolution
Shows how to avoid conflict, resolve problems and build better relationships. Viewers will learn how to identify their own conflict style. They will see how communication skills can calm down a volatile situation. Leader’s guide included.

VC1132 Visioning for God’s Shalom
“Created as an interactive resource with a music-video segment, this video and guide help young people explore issues and discuss their visions of peace, meaningful life, and a healthy environment. The guide includes ideas for discussion, relevant Scripture study, exercises, and ways to respond. Student handouts are provided for each lesson.” 4 sessions: Peace Within, Peace with Others, Peace with the World, A Commitment to Peace.

VC1288 She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall
The story of one of the victims of the shooting at the Columbine High School in 1999 as told by her mother. When asked if she believed in God, she said yes. A companion book (BK43) is also available.

VC1408 The Real Deal III
Four discussion starters on the topics of Stressing Out, Addictive Behavior, Great Comebacks, and Violence. Discussion Guidelines are included for all.

Books

BK556 Claim the Life Semester 1: Promise
Teacher and student book for Promise, a study for Older Youth: 13 sessions are: Promise, Relationship, Belonging, Judgment, Blessing, Steadfast Love, Emmanuel, New Creation, Peace, Guidance, Second Coming, Vows, Discipline, Thanksgiving, Test and Dance. Teacher’s Guide includes CD-Rom with teaching helps.

BK559 Claim The Life Semester 1: Word
Teacher and student book for Word, a study for Younger Youth: 13 sessions are: Word, God, Sabbath, Honor, Choose, Deliverance, Majestic, Shepherd, Heart, Help, Season, Friend, Peaceful, Consecrated, Justice, and Required. The Teacher’s Guide includes CD-Rom with teaching helps.

BK699 Burst: Bullies & Mean Girls – Leader’s Guide
BURST: Bullies and Mean Girls addresses issues all-too familiar to today’s youth. From the girls who use gossip to the boys who use physical threats (and vice versa), bullying is as rampant as ever. More information out there via social networking, texting, and even sexting means todays teens are vulnerable in new dangerous ways. This resource will be a short-term study on the relationships that use power to define roles in negative ways so that youth group participants will be able to identify, avoid, and heal from harmful situations while learning more about God’s love for them and hopes for their lives. 6 sessions. The Media Center only has the leader’s guide. Student books can be ordered from Cokesbury.

BK739 3V Bible Study: Called to Love and Justice
3-V is a series of seven different advanced Bible study courses designed for the Sr. High level. 3-V is a serious learning tool that forces students to think, by challenging them to investigate. Throughout a variety of texts and topics, 3-V poses a series of three probing questions in order to enhance a student’s comprehension, interpretation, and application of a scripture. This 3V study series listens to the prophets and brings their long-ago cries for the righteousness of love and justice into today’s life.

Children’s Resources

Video Resources

DVD33 Lenny & Sid: Love Thy Neighbor
Animated story of friends, a rabbit and a mouse who, though completely different from each other discover what it really takes to be good friends.

DVD51 Animated New Testament: Built on a Rock
This animated series from Richard Rich, a former director for Walt Disney Productions, illustrates New Testament Bible stories for children. A compilation of stories and teachings of Jesus: Brothers divided, search for counsel, the beatitudes, house upon a rock, the storm comes, love your enemy and more. DVD extras include optional scripture reference subtitles, adventure quizzes, principle guides for teachers, and story summaries. The DVD includes English and Spanish versions. Comes with a resource and activity booklet in English.

DVD66 Sadako and the Thousand Cranes
Based on the true story of a Japanese girl who developed leukemia as a result of exposure to radiation. Her friend reminds her of the legend of folding 1000 cranes for a wish to come true. Sadako begins to fold cranes, is joined by friends and community. Sadako’s story does not end with her death, her story has inspired a world-wide movement for peace. Companion video (VC1806) is a real-time instructional video. At the end of 30 minutes you and your students will have transformed a square piece of paper into a graceful crane.

Resource codes that begin with VC are on VHS tape and require a VCR.

VC255 Different & the Same 4: Tug of War
Cat-a-lion feels torn between his friendship with Arthur and his good buddies, Jason and Lissa, who share his culture. He talks over with Ben who tells him it may be difficult, but he can keep both friendships.

VC387 Folktales of Peace
Reaching a peaceful solution is the common theme to three tales told by storytellers from three different cultures; Native American, African American and Appalachian. A guide with discussion questions is included.

VC428 Gerbert: Loyalty Conflicts, Why People Quit Liking Each Other
Gerbert is caught in the middle when two of his best friends decide they both want the same thing.

VC453 Gospel According to St. Bernard: 3 Judge Not
Judging people by their actions? Each of us is different but God loves us just the same.

VC1452 Rhythms of Peace
Conflict-solving ideas presented in four stories with music. An Eye for an Eye, a skit to teach a lesson about revenge; Tea for Everyone, a lesson about prejudice; Rhythm Makers, putting war toys down to play music; and The Sun and the Wind, a story about what is the most powerful force on earth? Study guide included.

VC1746 Our Friend, Martin
Authentic footage is blended with colorful animation and music as students learn about Martin Luther King, Jr., the leader who “challenged all Americans to turn his dream of freedom into reality.”

Books

BK265 Let There Be Peace in the Classroom
A practical, concise, and compassionate approach to managing classroom behavior. “Position Yourself for Peace” is one of the poster ideas for classrooms of all ages. Each letter of the phrase POSITION FOR PEACE has a line of direction, such as : “P”ractice Kindness, and “E”xpress yourself with Words. The chapter, “Roots of and Responses to Misbehavior” is a practical run down of things that may happen and how to handle them. For individual study, as a resource for Sunday School Superintendents or as a basis for teacher training.

BK426 Hands are Not for Hitting
A gentle encouraging book to help young children remember the good things that we do with hands, and that we can express our strong emotions without hurting others.

BK433 Peacemaking Creatively Through the Arts
A Handbook of Educational Activities and Experiences for Children on the theme of Peace. Lesson plans, recipes, patterns, and methods are explained. Topics: Peace with Self, Peace in the Family, Peace in the Congregation, Peace in the School, Peace in the Neighborhood, Peace in the Community, Peace in the State, Peace in the Nation, and Peace in the World.

BK538 Raising Children to Love Their Neighbors
Practical plans with reproducible activities and outlines for classroom and service experiences for children ages 3-12, enrichments programs for Grades 1-5, a year of monthly projects for pre-schoolers and general helps for teachers. Visioning for the local church that wants to grow the awareness and involvement of children in the mission life of the church.

KIT104 PowerXPress: Peacemakers
A unit of the PowerXpress curriculum for Rotation teaching. Based on stories in the Bible of people who tried to bring peace and justice to all of God’s People. (Jacob and Esau, Amos, Abigail, David and the Beatitudes.) Lesson Plans for 8 stations. Music, craft and activity ideas.