Message Notes for June 02, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: Why Discipline Matters

Series Bottom Line: Living into our Christian life will bring changes in the way we live that can feel like gains and losses. We need wise counsel to help us steer around the pitfalls and make the most of our newfound life.

We all sin and fall short of God’s standards, but if we are not made aware of our sin or confronted with our sin, our lives will erode, our relationships diminish and our walk with God disappears. 

1 Corinthians 5:1-13

The Problem:

· Enabled Hypocrisy!

· Deadly Rip Currents!

· Pride Unchecked!

· Wrongful Judgement!

The Solutions:

· Address Unrepentant Sin!

· Remain Humble!

· Discipline and Accountability are Acts of Love!

Matthew 18:15-18

· Judge the Church and the World Differently!

The Gains and Losses:

Family/Group Study Notes for the week of June 02, 2024

Series: Gains and Losses

Title: Why Discipline Matters

* Think of a time that you received or gave discipline. In what ways did it feel like loss? What was the hope of the long-term gain through this discipline?

* Looking at discipline not as punishment, but as process, how has a regimen of discipline helped you accomplish long-term goals? What did you have to give up due to that discipline? Are there any regrets in looking back?

* In thinking about the first two bullet points, how can these apply in your learning and growth in following Jesus?

* Read 1 Corinthians Chapter 5. What do you see as the problem the Apostle Paul is seeking to address? How can a problem like this left unchecked be serious for the Church? Why do you think they did not want to address it? Why is it so hard for Christians today to warn – with love- a behavior that is not in keeping with following Jesus? What are the fears? What could be lost? What could be gained?

* Read 1 John 3:1-10. What does John want us to understand in this passage? Describe how John defines a “Child of God”. What does vs. 3 mean? What is the difference in vs. 4 of someone making a practice of sinning and sin, when it comes to confession and repentance? When we make it a practice of sinning, who is controlling our life? What about a desire to practice righteousness?

* Gather and pray with your family and/or group. Pray for each other to remain humble and shapable by Jesus. Pray for openness to help each other grow and to be a loving sin mirror so we may look more like Jesus. Pray to endure the losses and celebrate the gains in our Christian faith.