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New Testament Discipline

New Testament Discipline. What is it? Why is it so seldom practiced? Why is there so much confusion regarding what it means and how it is to be applied?. What is “N.T. Discipline” ?. “Discipline” is often thought of as punitive and corrective action. And it is that, but much more….

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New Testament Discipline

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  1. New Testament Discipline What is it? Why is it so seldom practiced? Why is there so much confusion regarding what it means and how it is to be applied?

  2. What is “N.T. Discipline”? • “Discipline” is often thought of as punitive and corrective action. • And it is that, but much more…. • Discipline is the treatment due a disciple, or follower; education; development of faculties by instruction and exercise. • Thus, discipline obviously includes: >Instruction, Eph.3:3-5; 1Tim.1:5 >Encouragement & Practice, 1Pet.2:1-2; Heb.5:14 >Corrective or Punitive Measures, 1Thess.5:14

  3. Why is it so seldom practiced? • Ask the question another way: Why are so few successful at raising good and godly children? • They don’t know how and/or it’s hard work! • Consider Matt.28:19-20…. >It’s much easier to “teach” >than to “teach to observe”! One requires minimal effort and the other requires constant supervision and effort!

  4. Why is there so much confusion on the subject? • Some fail to see the “total package” of discipline and think of only corrective measures. This works no better with brethren than it does with children! Instruction and encouragement must precede any punitive measures. You don’t punish a child until you’ve taught them better and made efforts to encourage right conduct. • Some simply don’t love enough to put forth the effort…. they settle for and console themselves with teaching, instead of teaching to observe! • It’s hard work- we get lazy & shift responsibility.

  5. OK, so how is N.T. Discipline supposed to be applied? • First, teach and educate- 1Tim.1:5; 3:15; 2Tim.4:2 • Second, encourage and train, Heb.10:24-25 • Then if rebellion still exists, corrective measures must be taken. How? What does this mean? • Think for a moment: why are there different answers given in the N.T. to “What must I do to be saved?” • Because it depends on where you are now! • Ditto with corrective discipline...

  6. Applying New Testament Corrective Discipline • The discipline prescribed in the N.T. depends on the nature of the offense. Consider: >Personal Injury or Affront, Matt.18:15ff -go to him personally, v.15 -then take 2 or 3 witnesses, v.16 -tell it to the church, v.17 >False & Divisive Teaching, Titus 3:8-11 -reject after a first and second warning >Public Unrepentant Sin, 1Cor.5:1-8 -do not associate and remove, vv.9-13 -cf.2Thess.3:6-14 for similar action regarding one leading an unruly life

  7. Most anything can and will be done wrong if done for the wrong reason. • So, what are the right motivations for N.T. corrective discipline? 1. Win back your brother! 1Cor.5:5; Jas.5:19ff 2. Purge sinful behavior, 1Cor.5:6-8,13; Eph.5:27 3. Encourage godly fear, Acts 5:5,11; Titus 3:8,14

  8. And what are the wrong motivations for corrective discipline? • Vengeance, Rom.12:16-19 • Personal matters of judgment rather issues of faith, Rom.14; 15:1-2 • “Getting rid of a problem child” rather than helping to solve his problems.

  9. New Testament Discipline: • Is really not difficult to understand if: we take the whole picture of it: instruction, encouragement, and corrective measures. • However, it is not easy to administer…. -it takes diligent and consistent work; -and it takes the right heart of love of truth and souls! • But its rewards are tremendous! James 5:20

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