1. Church Discipline What? Why? Who? When? How? Why Not?

2. Church of Christ Christians are to live in the doctrine of Christ Discipline is required to maintain this proper relationship—instructive and corrective

3. Discipline Training or experience that corrects, molds, strengthens; Esp. mental faculties or moral character. Primarily, an admonishing or calling to soundness of mind or self-control. Instructive – preventive in nature; education Corrective – chastising or penalizing in nature

4. Why Practice It? Obey God (2 Thess. 3:6-15) Save the soul of the erring one (1 Cor. 5:4-5) Protect others in the church (1 Cor. 5:6) Keep the church pure (1 Cor. 5:7) Cause all of us to examine our lives (Acts 5:12: 1 Tim. 1:20) Be an example to the world (Mt. 5:13-16)

5. When Do We Withdraw? Establish that sin has been committed Sin must be proved (1 Jn. 3:4; Mt. 18:15-17) Proof of Achan’s sin shown to all (Josh. 7:22-23) Cannot act on hearsay (1 Tim. 5:19) Give sufficient time to reach the erring (Mt. 18:15-17) Time given for entire church to act Visits, cards, admonishments, & prayers

6. Who Would Not Support Church Discipline? Other sinners (2 Cor. 12:21-13:2) Ignorant and untaught (Lev. 5:17) Grumblers looking for a complaint Those who think they know better than God how to save the erring. Those with little faith (2 Cor. 5:7) Those who put fellowship with men above fellowship with God (Mt. 10:37; Jn. 12:42-43). Power-seekers (2 Sam. 15:4)

7. Reasons Given For Nor Practicing Discipline: We are not to judge. Tear up church and do more harm than good. It will harden them in their sins. No one is perfect, we all sin. We didn’t withdraw from some in past years, its not fair to start now.

8. Working With God To Save Souls God Has Done His Part Sacrificed His Son For Us Revealed Plan For Saving Souls We Must Do Our Part Warn the Unruly – Gal. 6:1; 1 Thess. 5:14 Withdraw From Disorderly – 2 Thess. 3:6 Public Announcement – 1 Cor. 5:4-5 Private Application – 1 Cor. 5:11 Sinner Must Do His Part Repent, Confess, and Correct – Acts 8:22