Church and discipline No institution can survive without

Church and discipline No institution can survive without rules and regulations. No profession carry out function without ethics and principles. Any rights and privileges come with obligations and responsibilities. Yet, we say that churches can function with no order or rules! Key passages Mat. 18 1 Cor. 5 & 12 1 Tim. 3 -4 2 Tim. 3 Heb. 12, 13 Rev. 2 -3

Freedom Vs Discipline in life We have freedom in Christ We are submitted to one another Gal. 4: 13 For you were called to freedom, brethren; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “YOU SHALL LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR AS YOURSELF. ” • There was order and tradition in early churches Col. 2: 5, 1 Cor. 11: 34, 14: 40 Tit. 1: 5, 2 Thess. 3: 6 Tit 1: 5 For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you, Order in church meetings Order in church authority Order in evangelism and mission Order in money collection/ giving

Why do we hate church discipline? • Discipline- It is punishing or excommunicating people! • All are imperfect and likely to sin-how can they correct others? • Does church have authority? • Church has abused its authority in the past and the innocent have suffered! • An interference in my personal freedom? • Jesus said ‘You shall not judge others!’ • Salvation and Christian life is between me and God!

What is church discipline? ( Titus 1: 13, 2: 5, 10) • Church discipline is not just punishing people! • It is training and restoring people in the way of the Lord. • It is to be done with humility and a broken heart. • The purpose is to grow in Christlikeness and the manual is word of God • It establishes the credibility and testimony of Christ and church in the world Gal. 6: 1 Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted. 1 Cor. 5: 5 You are to deliver this man to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord. 2 Thess. 3: 14 If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15 Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Types of disciplines • Personal discipline • 1 Cor. 9: 25 -27 • 1 Tim. 4: 6 -12 • Family discipline • 1 Cor. 11: 3 • Eph. 5: 33 -6: 4 • Church discipline • 1 Cor. 5: 12 -13 • 2 Cor. 2: 6 • God’s discipline • Prov. 3: 11 -12 • Heb. 12: 6 -11 • Rev. 2 -3 1 Cor. 9: 25 Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; 27 but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified. 1 Tim. 4: 6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 1 Cor. 5: 12 For what have I to do with judging outsiders? Do you not judge those who are within the church? 13 But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. Heb. 12: 6 FOR THOSE WHOM THE LORD LOVES HE DISCIPLINES, AND HE SCOURGES EVERY SON WHOM HE RECEIVES. ” Rev. 3: 19‘Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent.

Implementing discipline • FORMATIVE DISCIPLINE (referring to teaching) • • • Teaching doctrine, meditation Acts 2: 42 / 2 Tim. 3: 16 -17 Mutual help and encouragement ( 1 Cor. 12, Heb. 10: 24) Accountability to leadership ( Heb. 13: 17) Personal and family motivations, involvements (Acts 20: 20, 31) Regular discipleship training on prayer, evangelism, etc. Special care for the week (Rom. 14: 1) • CORRECTIVE DISCIPLINE (referring to correcting sin) • • Rebuke 2 Tim. 3: 5, 2 Thess. 3: 6 Reduced fellowship / Turning away Titus 3: 10 Ex-communication 2 Jn. 10 Restoration 2 Cor. 2: 8

What is discipline? • Instruction • Basic doctrines • Church • Family 2 Tim. 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. • Rebuke • Lack of faithfulness • Irregularity • Correction • Help to come back • Develop healthy habits • Training • Righteous life • Evangelism, prayer etc. 1 Thess. 5: 14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. 15 See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people Col. 2: 5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ.

Practical steps for church discipline Mat. 18: 15 -17 1 Cor. 5 • Talk privately • Talk with one or two members • Tell it to the church and call for a meeting • Remove the sinner from the church fellowship • Warn the assembly about seriousness of sin (1 Tim. 5: 20) • Call a meeting of church and try to bring the sinner to conviction • Remove from the church fellowship if the sinner rebels • Hand over to Satan (5: 5) • Restore him when he repents (2 Cor. 2: 5 -8)

Some issues to be dealt in churches • Immorality and sexual sin 1 Cor. 5: 11 -13 • Denial of doctrines 2 Tim. 2: 17 -21 • Division in church Titus 3: 10 • Lack of care for family 1 Tim. 5: 8 • Financial mis-management • Dis-order in church meetings

FAQ and GD 1. What is the role of church in maintaining the spiritual health of its members (1 Tim. 3: 15 -16, 2 Tim. 3: 14 -7) 2. Does the church have any authority over its members in disciplining them? If so, to what extent? Can it intervene in their personal matters? (Mat. 18: 18, 1 Cor. 5: 12 -13, Rev. 2: 7) 3. Why are the churches not exercising discipline today? How have modern churches deviated from the biblical model? (Heb. 13: 17, 2 Thess. 3: 14) 4. Why are church disciplines often not effective? Discuss the steps to be followed in correcting a sinning brother. (Mat. 18: 18, 1 Cor. 5: 12 -13). What are the precautions to be taken while implementing a disciplinary action? 5. Discuss some of the issues we see in the Bible which early church has dealt with. What are the sins we must be watchful today?

Case study I As close members in the church, John entrusted Peter to send some money of the church to a mission field. Due to certain emergency in his house construction, Peter temporarily utilised a portion of the money hoping to replace it shortly. However, due to the excess of his budget and unexpected expenses, Peter was not able to do it. After several years, John found it out and by this time Peter had moved into another city. Peter says that I am no longer accountable to the church…Should John go ahead filing a case? i. What all went wrong in the whole incident? ii. How should it have been handled and what to do now? iii. Based on 2 Cor. 8: 18 -21, what suggestions you will give to avoid such incidents in future?

Case study II Ronald has come to Chennai, for his study/work. He comes to know about you and your church through one of your friends. He started coming to your church. But , he is always irregular and some times he won’t come to church for weeks together. He is basically a loving and jovial person. When asked , about why he is late or irregular , he gives very silly answers like. . I watched TV whole night and slept lately, so I couldn't come…. . . I feel very tired , I want to take rest on Sundays…. . one of my friend has come for vacation, I want to enjoy the trip with him… One of your fellow brother in the church says that he is disorderly therefore we need to confront him. 1. What is your take on this , what should be done, based on the Biblical principles Key principle : Mat. 18: 15

Case study III Marcel is coming to your church recently. He got saved many years back and was a member of a denomination for many years. He comes to your church because the Sunday service is conducted in English language. After few weeks, he starts to disapprove the sermons/doctrines that was preached in your church. Off late he openly talks against the sermon to some of the members who are very young in faith. One fine day, he even challenged the preacher / elder of the church while the message was being delivered in the pulpit. 1. What needs to be done? How this situation could have avoided? Key principle: Tit. 3: 10

Case study IV Sivam is a Hindu convert in your church. he is coming to your church for the past few months only. After much opposition from the family members , he was baptised and added to your church. One day his grandma , passed away and he happens to perform the Hindu rituals for the deceased out of fear and for the sake of honour of his parents though he didn’t like it nor believe the rituals. You happen to witness it as you went there to comfort him. Except you and Sivam , none of the church believers know about this. You both now meet in the church every week, but could not have free fellowship with one another. Sometimes you think of sharing this to the elders in the church to correct him but you couldn’t. You are swept between rebuking him or totally ignoring him. 1. What needs to be done here? How to avoid such things in future? • Key principle Rom. 15: 1, Mat. 18: 15

Case study V Teddy is one of the famous preachers in your church. Everybody thinks he is a spiritual giant. But one of your unbelieving friends reveals that he has seen Teddy with some immodest girls around him in a pub in Goa. Your friend assuredly says that he has seen him. But when you enquire about this person Teddy , you find nothing against him. You are thinking that Teddy is a cheat but has earned good name with others. Everyone says he is a godly man except your unbelieving friend. 1. What needs to be done? Should you inform the church or keep silent about it? 2. What if someone falls in love and marry an unbeliever and continue in the church? Key principle I Tim. 5: 19