CHURCH DISCIPLINE – “Church Discipline Church …

1 CHURCH DISCIPLINE CHURCH DISCIPLINE 1. CHURCH DISCIPLINE Lesson Text: 2 Thessalonians 3:6. INTRODUCTION: A. Lesson Texts: 1. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.. (Paul speaking to the Ephesian elders at Miletus.). a. The whole counsel of God has not been declared when part of His counsel to man has been avoided. b. The whole counsel of God has not been declared when part of His counsel to man has been changed. c. The subject of CHURCH DISCIPLINE is a part of the whole counsel of God, and thus must be declared. 2. Four major New Testament passages dealing with CHURCH DISCIPLINE : a. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 But we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us.

2 1. A disorderly walk denotes conduct that is in any way contrary to the rules of Christ. 2. The proper idea of the word in the Greek is that of soldiers who do not keep the ranks. 3. Some Christians do not keep the ranks within the army of God. b. Romans 16:17 Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them.. c. 1 Corinthians 5:9-13 I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner -- not even to eat with such a person.

3 For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore "put away from yourselves the evil person.". CHURCH DISCIPLINE CHURCH DISCIPLINE 2. d. 2 Thessalonians 3:14 And if anyone does not obey our word in this epistle, note that person and do not keep company with him, that he may be ashamed. 3. All four of these passages are part of the whole counsel of God that must be declared.. B. East Tennessee School of Preaching & Missions Lectureship in 2000 was the school's 26th annual lectureship. The Overall theme was Practical Studies in CHURCH Growth. Bro. James Meadows taught a series of classes on the subject of CHURCH DISCIPLINE . His printed manuscript in the lectureship book covers 17 pages.

4 The first two paragraphs read as follows: Disciplining members of the CHURCH is almost a thing of the past. Old CHURCH records will occasionally report that a brother has been disfellowshipped for drunkenness or a sister for dancing. And then a later report shows they have been restored. Disciplining is not an easy task. It has many complications and often more than one person is involved. Members of a family and close kin often react improperly when the CHURCH exercises DISCIPLINE toward a member. Lack of courage on the part of elders often leads to neglect in the matter of DISCIPLINE . But will these or other problems connected with DISCIPLINE excuse us for failing to follow God's word? No one familiar with the Bible will say that the subject of CHURCH DISCIPLINE is unimportant.

5 Any mature any serious student of God's word readily acknowledges that this subject occupies a prominent position in the remedial scheme. The Lord gave complete and adequate instruction for the administration of DISCIPLINE in the CHURCH .. 1. In 11 sentences and 164 words, bro. Meadows touches on many aspects of our theme. a. It appears to be mostly a thing of the past. b. Involves complications. c. Often more than one person is involved. d. Family members, and others, often react improperly. e. Many elders and elderships lack sufficient courage to carry it out. Thus, they neglect CHURCH DISCIPLINE . f. The Bible does not excuse us from carrying out CHURCH DISCIPLINE . g. Bible students cannot honestly say CHURCH DISCIPLINE is unimportant.

6 H. Its position in the remedial scheme in the bible is important. i. The Lord gave complete and adequate instructions for it to be done. C. DISCIPLINE is a word which is particularly out of step with our time. 1. Ours is a permissive age. 2. Ours is an indulgent age. 3. Ours is an age emphasizing: CHURCH DISCIPLINE CHURCH DISCIPLINE 3. a. No controls. b. No restraints. c. No limitations. 4. Ours is a day when DISCIPLINE is lacked in our homes. 5. Ours is a day when DISCIPLINE is lacked in our schools. 6. Ours is a day when DISCIPLINE is lacked in the CHURCH . D. CHURCH DISCIPLINE is a matter deserving of our careful study and consideration. 1. Two extremes are encountered in this matter. a. Misuse .. which is abuse. b. Nonuse .. which is abandonment.

7 2. For some, CHURCH DISCIPLINE has been simply an outlet for personal animosity. 3. For others, CHURCH DISCIPLINE is to be avoided at all costs. 4. Neither of these two extremes is acceptable to God. E. In this series of lessons on the subject of CHURCH DISCIPLINE , eleven major questions will be considered and answered. 1. What is the Meaning of DISCIPLINE ? 2. Is DISCIPLINE a Bible Subject? 3. What are the Responsibilities of the Elders in DISCIPLINE ? 4. What are the Responsibilities of Each Member in Instructive (Preventive). DISCIPLINE ? 5. What is Corrective DISCIPLINE ? 6. What are the Purposes of Corrective DISCIPLINE ? 7. Upon Whom is Corrective DISCIPLINE to be Administered? 8. What is the Spiritual Procedure in Corrective DISCIPLINE ?

8 9. What Should be Our Treatment of One Disfellowshipped? 10. What are Some Objections to CHURCH DISCIPLINE ? 11. What are Some Suggested Procedures in DISCIPLINE Cases? QUESTION #1 - WHAT IS THE MEANING OF DISCIPLINE ? A. Definition of DISCIPLINE . 1. DISCIPLINE means to teach, instruct, to correct, or train one that he might be strengthened, perfected; to punish or chastise. 2. Webster says it means training or experience that corrects, molds, strengthens, or perfects the mental faculties or moral character. 3. Broadly speaking, CHURCH DISCIPLINE includes all processes or means by which a CHURCH trains and educates its members to walk in the light.. CHURCH DISCIPLINE CHURCH DISCIPLINE 4. 4. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.

9 1. The marginal note on instruction is DISCIPLINE (Greek, paideian). 2. Thayer says DISCIPLINE means whatever in adults cultivates the soul, especially by correcting mistakes and curbing the passions; hence, instruction which aims at the increase of virtue.. 5. While many think of DISCIPLINE only as corrective, it must be pointed out that DISCIPLINE is twofold in its nature. a. Instructive DISCIPLINE which is preventive in b. Corrective DISCIPLINE which is chastising and penalizing in nature. 6. Examples of instructive (preventive) DISCIPLINE . a. Ephesians 6:4 And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.. b. 1 Thessalonians 5:22 Abstain from every form of evil.

10 7. Examples of corrective DISCIPLINE will be examined later in this series. QUESTION #2 - IS DISCIPLINE A BIBLE SUBJECT? A. There are many scriptures which emphasize DISCIPLINE and why it was emphasized. 1. Genesis 17:14 - The uncircumcised were to be cut off, that is, put away from the people. 2. Leviticus 2:27; 17:8-9 - Anyone who ate blood was to be cut off, that is, put away from the people. 3. Deuteronomy 13:13-18 - Those who engaged in worshipping idols were to be killed. 4. Romans 16:17-18 & 1 Corinthians 4:19-21 - Those who caused division were to be pointed out and avoided. 5. 1 Corinthians 5:1-13 - Fornicators & immoral persons who were brethren, were to be put away and avoided. 6. 1 Thessalonians 5:14 - The unruly were to be warned.