Practicing Christian Leadership, Student Workbook, SW11

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P R A C T I C I N G C H R I S T I A N L E A D E R S H I P

Effective Church Discipline Exhorting, Rebuking, and Restoring

Welcome in the strong name of Jesus Christ! After your reading, study, discussion, and application of the materials in this lesson, you will be able to: • Define the concept of biblical exhortation, and explore reasons why this ministry is so necessary for Christian leaders among God’s people. • Distinguish the difference between the standing and the state of a Christian’s position and discipleship, and apply that knowledge to the issue of Christian exhortation. • Connect the practice of exhortation to the challenge of believers remaining faithful to the Lord in their walks with God, each other, and in the world. • List the basic reasons why it is necessary to exhort one another to remain faithful, including the devil’s opposition, the nature of our adoption in Christ, avoiding judgment from God, maintaining our integrity, and being conformed to the model of Christ. • Understand the basic principles associated with the theology and practice of exhorting others in a God-honoring way. • Recite the basic biblical definitions of practicing discipline in the Church, and outline the nature of what it means to rebuke and restore members of God’s community. • Exegete Matthew 18 with an eye to discover Jesus’ instruction regarding carrying out discipline in the Church. • Outline the critical cautions associated with carrying out discipline in the Church, including pride, acting on uncorroborated accusations, and a neglect of genuine authority in discipline. • Detail the benefits of discipline, i.e., a sound faith, a strong community, a safe family, a solid testimony, and a glorified Savior.

Lesson Objectives

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