Take One or Two Others
CONNECTING with my Lord
As Jesus ministered/served people, what was He really interested in for each person?
[He wasn’t just interested in their life situation, He viewed them in light of eternity]
How would you ‘connect’ what Jesus says in Matthew 18 and what He did on the Cross in Matthew 27?
[BIG POINT of DISCUSSION! It was His death and shed blood that makes the restitution possible – the most loving person to ever walk this earth commanded us to confront each other for the purpose of restoration – which the cross made possible!
CONNECTING into my Life
What is the one most significant peacemaker principle that you have “heard” from this series, and what is the one most significant peacemaker action you are “doing” since having started this series?
ONE KEY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE:
ONE KEY BIBLICAL LIFE ACTION
CONNECTING into my Church!
Prayer Time: That our church body would continue to be committed to the process of Matthew 18 – it’s the most loving thing to do!
Take One or Two Others
Matthew 18:15-17
PART 1: GLORIFY GOD
PART 2: GET THE LOG OUT OF YOUR EYE
PART 3: GENTLY RESTORE
Constructive correction is a sign of genuine love for people.
Breathe grace rather than judgment
TODAY: Discipline is God’s gift and blessing to the Church
* Keys steps in this process of being a peacemaker:
Step One: Overlook MINOR offenses. (Prov. 19:11)
Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Step Two: Talk PRIVATELY. (Matt. 18:15)
Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother . . ..”
Step Three: Take ONE or TWO others along.
• To MEDIATE (offer counsel for a voluntary agreement) or arbitrate (impose a decision) (Example: 1Cor. 6:1-8)
• Reconciler:
1) To ENCOURAGE self-control and courtesy
2) To ask QUESTIONS, clarify FACTS and motives
3) To COUNSEL and ADMONISH (correct) by God’s Word
4) To observe conduct and REPORT to church or churches
Step Four: Tell it to the CHURCH – Focus: To keep the situation as private as possible; the circle of knowledge increases in proportion to the person’s lack of repentance!
* Discipline includes the entire process!
Step Five: Treat the other person as a NON-BELIEVER
• To CONVICT and RESTORE those who stray (1Cor. 5:1-13)
• To guard others from stumbling (1Cor. 5:6; 1Tim. 5:20; Titus 3:10-11)
• To protect GOD’S NAME (Rom. 2:24)
Step Six: Forgive and RESTORE the repentant.
Matt. 18:12-14; 2 Cor. 2:5-11
END OF DVD – Open Discussion/Small Groups
CONNECTING It – Group Discussion
How is the Church Discipline process typically viewed?
[negative, harsh, mean, condescending, hypocritical on the part of those who impose it and/or practice it]
What is wrong with this view of what Jesus described as part of the peacemaking process?
[it unbiblical and actually is UNLOVING for the person(s) involved in the process; the most loving thing you can do and we can do a church is to follow the steps of Matthew 18 – to DEMONSTRATE our love for people by helping them to handle life in a biblical manner and is pleasing to God and HELPS them to GROW!!!]
Have you been involved in a conflict where others have been brought in to bring restoration and resolution to the conflict?
[various answers – the church discipline situations here at FBC]
Was it handled biblically as described in the video session?
[various answers; Be prepared for some answers that may be “NO, it wasn’t handle right” – if so, consider the implications of not following God’s Word and the damage it brings – NOTE: The process doesn’t always work – ie. ‘if possible, so far as it depends on you, be at peace with all men’ (Rom. 12:14-21) –- some people WON’T change!]
How has that situation impacted your view of Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-8?
What are you learning about yourself as a “peacemaker” and/or about how you view and handle conflicts?
CONNECTING to the Word – Small Groups
Read Matthew 18:15-20. What is the reason for the process continuing from one-on-one to two or three to the whole church?
[the person’s LACK of repentance – the specific sin is not the issues – it’s the failure to repent from that sin!]
According to 1 Corinthians 5:5, what actually happens when a person is ‘disciplined’ from the church?
1 Corinthians 5:5 …to deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of his flesh, so that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.
NOTICE: It’s the destruction of the flesh (cf. Heb. 12:4-11 – which teaches the discipling hand of God in our lives) – NOT the destruction of the spirit -- the person may genuinely be a believer, but we don’t know, based on their actions!]
What does the following verse teach us about the way we approach different situations:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
[there are different ways to approach different situations – that doesn’t mean you are more loving/gracious with one person than the other, but that a person’s sin may merit a different approach – the goal is the same: God’s glory and the restoration of the person to the offended parties!
How would you ‘connect’ the truth of Matthew 18 with 1 Corinthians 13:4-8 [READ it]?
Point: It’s loving to rejoice in the truth, and NOT loving to allow sin to continue unconfronted!
CONNECTING with my Lord
As Jesus ministered/served people, what was He really interested in for each person?
How would you ‘connect’ what Jesus says in Matthew 18 and what He did on the Cross in Matthew 27?
CONNECTING into my Life
What is the one most significant peacemaker principle that you have “heard” from this series, and what is the one most significant peacemaker action you are “doing” since having started this series?
ONE KEY BIBLICAL PRINCIPLE:
ONE KEY BIBLICAL LIFE ACTION
CONNECTING into my Church!
Prayer Time: That our church body would continue to be committed to the process of Matthew 18 – it’s the most loving thing to do!
Take One or Two Others
Matthew 18:15-17
PART 1: GLORIFY GOD
PART 2: GET THE LOG OUT OF YOUR EYE
PART 3: GENTLY RESTORE
Constructive correction is a sign of genuine love for people.
Breathe grace rather than judgment
TODAY: Discipline is God’s gift and blessing to the Church
* Keys steps in this process of being a peacemaker:
Step One: Overlook ________ offenses. (Prov. 19:11)
Proverbs 19:11 A man's discretion makes him slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook a transgression.
Step Two: Talk ____________. (Matt. 18:15)
Matthew 18:15 "If your brother sins, go and show him his fault in private; if he listens to you, you have won your brother . . ..”
Step Three: Take _____ or ______ others along.
• To _______________ (offer counsel for a voluntary agreement) or arbitrate (impose a decision) (Example: 1Cor. 6:1-8)
• Reconciler:
1) To _______________ self-control and courtesy
2) To ask ______________, clarify __________ and motives
3) To ____________ and _____________ (correct) by God’s Word
4) To observe conduct and ____________ to church or churches
Step Four: Tell it to the ______________ – Focus: To keep the situation as private as possible; the circle of knowledge increases in proportion to the person’s lack of repentance!
* Discipline includes the entire process!
Step Five: Treat the other person as a __________________
• To ___________ and _________ those who stray (1Cor. 5:1-13)
• To guard _______________ from stumbling (1Cor. 5:6; 1Tim. 5:20; Titus 3:10-11)
• To protect ____________ ________________ (Rom. 2:24)
Step Six: Forgive and ________________ the repentant.
Matt. 18:12-14; 2 Cor. 2:5-11
CONNECTING It – Group Discussion
How is the Church Discipline process typically viewed?
What is wrong with this view of what Jesus described as part of the peacemaking process?
Have you been involved in a conflict where others have been brought in to bring restoration and resolution to the conflict?
Was it handled biblically as described in the video session?
How has that situation impacted your view of Matthew 18:15-17 and 1 Corinthians 6:1-8?
What are you learning about yourself as a “peacemaker” and/or about how you view and handle conflicts?
CONNECTING to the Word – Small Groups
Read Matthew 18:15-20. What is the reason for the process continuing from one-on-one to two or three to the whole church?
According to 1 Corinthians 5:5, what actually happens when a person is ‘disciplined’ from the church?
What does the following verse teach us about the way we approach different situations:
1 Thessalonians 5:14 We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone.
How would you ‘connect’ the truth of Matthew 18 with
1 Corinthians 13:4-8 [READ it]?