You may use your browser's print option to print out this lesson
DISCIPLINE IN THE CHURCH

Lesson 7

INTRODUCTION: The church is the family of God, and every member of the church is a child of God. God wants His children to obey Him and to live good lives so that when others see His children, they will give glory to God the Father (Matt. 5:14-16). Paul said that Christians should do all to the glory of God (I Cor. 10:31). If a Christian does not glorify God by his actions, then that Christian should be corrected so that God and His church will not be dishonored. Paul says, "if a man is overtaken in a fault, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness" (Gal. 6: 1). As we study what the Bible teaches, we will see that discipline is necessary for the growth, development, and purity of the church.

l.  GOD DISCIPLINES HIS CHI LDREN BECAUSE HE LOVES THEM AND WANTS THEM TO BE SAVED (Hebrews 12:5-1 1).

II. WHAT ARE THE REASONS FOR DISCIPLINE?

A. Discipline will cause one to be sound in the faith (Titus 1: 13).

B. Discipline will cause one to be ashamed (2 Thess. 3:14-15).

C. Discipline will maintain the purity of the church (1 Cor. 5:6-8, 13).

D. Discipline will cause one to produce fruits of righteousness (Hebrews 12:1 1).

E. Discipline will cause the rest of the congregation to stand in fear (ITim. 5:20; Acts 5:5).

 F. We should discipline and be disciplined because God commands it (2 Thess. 3:6; Titus 3:10-11).

Ill. EXAMPLES OF DISCIPLINE IN THE NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH

A. Timothy was sent to discipline some members of the church in  Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3,4; 3:14, 15; 2 Tim. 2:14-18, 4:2).

B. There was an immoral man in the Corinthian church, and Paul  instructed them to discipline such a man (1 Cor. 5:1-13. Read and study each verse).

IV. WHO SHOULD BE DISCIPLINED?

A. Those who cause division (Rom. 16:17, 18; Titus 3: 1 0, 1 1).

B. Those who will not work to support their families (2 Thess. 3:6-14).

C. Those who are immoral (I Cor. 5:1-5). D. Read 1 Cor. 5:1 1.

V. HOW TO DISCIPLINE

A. Study Matthew 18:15-17.

 B. An offender should be talked to, prayed for, and pleaded with patiently and tenderly. If he does not repent within due time, then the congregation should have nothing to do with him until he repents (1 Cor. 5:4, 5; Gal. 6: 1; James 5:19, 20; 1 Tim. 5:20).

C. The unrepenting offender should be delivered to Satan (I Cor. 5:5; 1 Tim. 1:20).

D. We are to have no company with him (2 Thess. 3:14).

E. Do not even eat with the one who has been withdrawn from
(ICor.5:9-11).

F. We are not to treat him as an enemy but rather to admonish him as brother (2 Thess. 3:15).

THINGS TO REMEMBER

A. Let God's Word decide what is right and wrong.

B. Remember that the purpose of discipline is to cause one to repent  of his sin and be saved (2 Cor. 2:6-8).

C. Remember that some men's sins are not evident (1 Tim. 5:24).

INDEX