1) Discipline is a Bible subject (Heb. 12:7-11).
2) One aspect of discipline is “church discipline” (1 Cor. 5:1-5; 2 Thess. 3:6-14).
3) Many congregations do not practice it. Reasons for making this choice include fear of lawsuits …
4) Since “all sin,” some are not certain “when discipline is needed.” What is the criteria for discipline?
5) How should we understand “any sin” in Gal. 6:1?
6) Discuss the idea of “public sin, public response, private sin, private response.”
7) Like most other matters in the Bible, discipline should be engaged in with wisdom (Jas. 1:5).
8) Some elderships have had good intentions but fail to use wisdom / good judgment. One e.g.:
i) Elders decide to “start a program of discipline.” They find members from last 25 years.
ii) Personal visit, send a warning letter, encourage members to make contact, withdraw.
iii) Some “church discipline” is like “spanking a stranger’s child.”
9) What about disciplining a Christian who is 14-15 years old? What about disciplining the ignorant?
10) Might discipline best be delayed? Might it need to be immediate?
11) Before engaging in disciple elders and the rest of the flock must understand the purpose of discipline.
i) 1 Cor. 5:6.
ii) Heb. 12:14 (KJV, NKJV).
iii) Holiness is one purpose for discipline, and discipline should be done in a holy way.
iv) (1 Cor. 5:12-13) – Christians are separate from non-Christians; separation must be maintained.
v) Gal. 6:1.
vi) Discipline is not a “show of force” or to make Christians “feel better about themselves.”
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12) One scriptural method to engage in church discipline.
i) Mt. 18:15-17 (NASB + one other translation).
ii) Is the first step – “going to someone – the “first step in disfellowshp”?
iii) What principles might we use from Mt. 18:15-17 when dealing with a wayward Christian?
iv) Do we take “two or three” (compare 2 Cor. 13:1-2) to “successfully prosecute our case”?
v) Discuss good and bad ways to “tell it to the church.” Eph. 4:15.
13) What should elders do when discipline works?
14) What might elders do to welcome a soul back into the congregation – Lk. 15:4-7, 8-10, 11-13 + 20-24?
How would we handle these situations?
1. A Christian family repeatedly asks the church for help; $$$$ is given and they do not change.
2. Lazy members – 2 Thess. 3:11. Discuss both physical and spiritual laziness.
3. One or more members is a “busybody” – meddling in affairs of others – 2 Thess. 3:11.
4. 3 Jn. 9-10; Tit. 3:10-11. Local churches have had “fruit inspectors.” Members w/strong opinions.
5. False teachers.
6. What if discipline is needed and a congregation has no elders, or the elders will not act?
7. What about disciplining an elder? 1 Tim. 5:19.
8. How would elders deal with issues involving non-members? Examples and discussion from class.
9. Person say, “Everyone sins. You should just forgive me” per Lk. 17:3-4.
