7. Church Discipline

1. What is church discipline?
2. Why do churches need to do it?
3. What is my responsibility in this?


Church Discipline
“He who looks upon his brother should know that he will be eternally united with him in Jesus Christ.”—Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Life Together


Read Matthew 18:15-17. What should we do if someone sins against us? What if they don’t listen? Then what?

1. What is church discipline?

· Church discipline is the responsibility of the local church to confront and restore brothers and sisters in Christ who are continuing in an unrepentant sin. This sin might be doctrinal (a denial of essential Christian doctrine) or moral (adultery, theft, slander). It is not referring to typical disagreements.

· Church discipline should always be done lovingly, gently, caringly, patiently, humbly, and truthfully. Unlike the manipulation of the world, Christians are called to be clear, straightforward, and honest.

· Church discipline has stages. First, sin should be dealt with by one-on-one confrontation. Second one or two witnesses are taken along to confront someone. Third the church is notified and should confront the person. And finally, he or she is asked to leave the church in hope that they will eventually repent and return.


Read 1 Corinthians 5:9-12. Who should we ‘not associate with’ as Christians? Is it our place to judge others? Who and when?

2. Why do churches need to do it?

· Church discipline is done to maintain God’s standard of holiness for Christians. Though Christians will never be perfect, we are called to pursue holiness. Part of this calling means dealing with sin in the church.

· Church discipline is done to help the person who is continuing in sin. The point is to encourage and warn the person in hope that they would repent. It should be done with restoration in view.

· Church discipline is done to maintain peace and integrity in the whole congregation. If sin is not dealt with biblically it has effects on the whole church. Others are always effected by someone’s sin.

· Church discipline is done to enable the church to better evangelize. If someone is caught in a sin and refuses to repent, it mars the reputation of the church to non-Christians and hurts its witness.


Read Galatians 6:1-2. What are we to do with a brother or sister caught in sin? How are we to do it? What must we beware of in doing this?

3. What is my responsibility in this?

· Our responsibility in church discipline as individual members is to follow the biblical model for church discipline.

· This would mean first going to a person one-on-one if they have sinned against you. If it is not resolved bring along a witness or two. If it is still not resolved speak to an elder or pastor.

· Our responsibility also means being willing to receive confrontation about sin. Instead of being reactionary, angry, and defensive to those who confront us, being willing to listen, understand, and respond lovingly to those who confront us.

· Church discipline doesn’t mean we are always going to agree! No doubt churches will continue to disagree about any number of things. But in issues that are clearly sinful according to the Bible, God calls the local church to a high standard.