FOCUS TEXTS: 1 Corinthians 5, Matthew 18:15-20 , 2 Corinthians 2:5-11

As part of our "We Are Family" series, Sunday’s sermon addressed the often-avoided subject of Church discipline. Church discipline is the process of correcting sin within the congregation and its members. Despite its complexity and potential for controversy, it is an essential practice for maintaining the health and holiness of the church.

Like good parents who correct their children, God disciplines His children to guide them toward repentance and restoration. The Bible calls parents to provide gracious correction (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 29:15, 17) and similarly calls God's children to obey their Heavenly Father (Hebrews 12:5, Proverbs 3:11-12, 1 Corinthians 11:32). These scriptures highlight the necessity of instruction, correction, and sometimes rebuke within the church community.

Throughout our series, we've learned that God's family was created for His glory, restored through faith in Jesus, and empowered by the Holy Spirit for transformation. Church discipline fits into this broader context, emphasizing our responsibility to one another within God’s family.

OUTLINE FROM SUNDAY

• BIG IDEA: A Church that glorifies God practices Church discipline. Discipline is vital for guiding believers toward Christ-likeness and maintaining the church's holiness (Ephesians 6:4, Proverbs 29:15, 17).

• Truth #1: A robust Gospel is essential to the practice of Church discipline. A church must preach a Gospel that includes repentance, submission to God's work, and transformation through the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 12:5, Proverbs 3:11-12).

• Truth #2: Transformative discipleship is essential to the practice of Church discipline. Discipleship should be covenantal, Gospel-centered, disciplined, confessional, corrective, and connected to the Lord's Table (truths from our current series).

• Truth #3: Church discipline must humbly and graciously address sin. This involves private correction, and communal intervention (Matthew 18:15-20).

• Truth #4: Church discipline must lead to excommunication for those who maintain their arrogant sin. We’re instructed to give those who demand to be treated as unbelievers what they want. (Matthew 18:15-20 & 1 Corinthians 5)

• Truth #5: The ultimate aim of Church discipline is restoration. The goal of Church discipline is always to bring the sinner back to God and the church community (2 Corinthians 2).

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER

1. How does understanding the purpose of Church discipline change your perspective on its practice?

2. In what ways can you contribute to a culture of accountability and grace within our church community?

3. How does the concept of a robust Gospel influence your approach to discipleship and correction?

PRAYER RESPONSE

Heavenly Father, grant us wisdom and grace as we seek to practice Church discipline according to Your Word. Help us to correct and restore with love, aiming always for the repentance and transformation of our brothers and sisters. May our church reflect Your holiness and unity through our commitment to discipline and discipleship. In Jesus' name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE: Proverbs 3:11-12