9marks of a Healthy Church: Discipline
1/5/22
Preach
Questions
Jesus tells us, in Luke 17:3, “Be concerned about yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him.” The procedure is spelt out in more detail in Matthew 18:15-17. Do you point out to your brother or sister if they sin against you? What should you not do? See also Galatians 6:1.
To put Matthew 18:15-17 in context read on to vv18-20. What does this tell us about the seriousness of church discipline? V20 is usually applied to worship services or prayer meetings. Is this correct? What is the context saying?
Discipline is painful. Why is it necessary in the church?
Read Hebrews 12:1-14. God usually disciples us directly and not through the church. Why is discipline necessary? Why should you be grateful when you are disciplined?
1 Timothy 1:20 is a difficult verse for the modern reader. What might Paul mean by “handed over to Satan” in the light of Matthew 18:15-17? Note: the church has traditionally taught, both eastern and western, through the ages that there is no salvation outside the church. How would you qualify this statement?
1 Timothy 5:19 cautions us to be very careful about entertaining an accusation against an elder. This is NOT because elders are above the law. In fact, elders and those who teach will be judged more strictly. Why might elders be unfairly accused?
Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 [the context is 1 Corinthians 5:1-5]. Should discipline in the church cause excessive sorrow? What is the purpose?