The Gospel Comes with a House Key
Judas in the Church (1|3)
The Borderland of Hospitality
• What Is Church Discipline?
Pages 127-134
TOGETHER read the book (END READING AT: And repentance is a gift from God. It cannot be manufactured or faked.) and discuss the content below.
INDIVIDUALLY take notes in your journal on what stands out (try to keep it brief).
Romans 2:2-4 (NIV) Now we know that God’s judgment against those who do such things is based on truth. So when you, a mere human being, pass judgment on them and yet do the same things, do you think you will escape God’s judgment? Or do you show contempt for the riches of his kindness, forbearance and patience, not realizing that God’s kindness is intended to lead you to repentance?
1 Corinthians 5:6-13 (NIV) Your boasting is not good. Don’t you know that a little yeast leavens the whole batch of dough? Get rid of the old yeast, so that you may be a new unleavened batch—as you really are. For Christ, our Passover lamb, has been sacrificed. Therefore let us keep the Festival, not with the old bread leavened with malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral people— not at all meaning the people of this world who are immoral, or the greedy and swindlers, or idolaters. In that case, you would have to leave this world. But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people. What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”
2 Corinthians 2:7-11 (NIV) Now instead, you ought to forgive and comfort him, so that he will not be overwhelmed by excessive sorrow. I urge you, therefore, to reaffirm your love for him. Another reason I wrote you was to see if you would stand the test and be obedient in everything. Anyone you forgive, I also forgive. And what I have forgiven—if there was anything to forgive—I have forgiven in the sight of Christ for your sake, in order that Satan might not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.
Discipline is central to discipleship, and every member is a stakeholder. Church discipline has one main purpose: to reconcile the sinning brother or sister to God and to the people sinned against, through repentance and a change of heart and conduct.
TOGETHER pray for one another.
INDIVIDUALLY answer the questions in your journal - process your notes and pray.
Church discipline appeals to the heart of a brother or sister who has grown deaf to God’s warning, to draw them back, to restore them. Having a teachable spirit means inviting correction.
What is your response to that statement?
What initially comes to mind when you hear about church discipline?
Have you ever witnessed someone experience the journey of church discipline all the way to restoration? What are your thoughts on it?
Rosaria Butterfield says - I believe that church discipline is God’s kindness; it is God’s protection to each church member. It stops perpetrators, and it heals victims. Repentance changes everything.
Do you somewhat agree, strongly agree, somewhat disagree, or strongly disagree?
What is your emotional response to those going through church discipline?
How can you pray for them and love them instead of feeling bitterness or hatred?
Repentance is a gift from God, for only believers can repent. It cannot be manufactured or faked.
What is your response to that statement?
Pause and Pray - for wisdom and discernment, peace and endurance for your church elders, and pray for brothers and sisters who are currently under church discipline. Pray that you can have a Christ-like heart towards those who have done wrong against brothers and sisters in the church - pray for those who were on the receiving end (those victimized including their families), and that true reconciliation and restoration from God prevails.
EXTRA READING:
“We have no right to our possessions; they have been entrusted to us for the good of all. Let us then invest with the Lord what he has given us, for we have nothing that does not come from Him: we are dependent upon Him for our very existence. And we ourselves particularly, who have a special and greater debt, since God not only created us but purchased us as well; what we can we regard as our own when we do not possess even ourselves?”
- Paulinus of Nola (354 - 431)
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus Christ, you have shown yourself to the nations and transformed many by your radiant light. Your ongoing revelations bring a continual rebirth, recreating each of us in your likeness. May today’s rising sun remind us that your light is for the healing of the nations. Amen.