Today’s passage: 1 Corinthians 5:1-13
Helpful thoughts:
- In the end of chapter 4, Paul spoke of the need of discipline/correction in the church. In chapter 5, he gives a specific example and instructions.
- Preoccupation with personal advancement and pleasure (Or more simply put, preoccupation with self) results in an aversion to speaking the truth in love to brothers and sisters who need our help.
- The sad irony is that omitting our call to lovingly rebuke our brothers and sisters does end up hurting us as well (“A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”).
- We should expect people outside the church to be sinful. They need Christ!
- We should expect people inside the church to be growing in righteousness. They have Christ!
Questions to consider:
- Why does confronting the sins of others make us feel “icky?” Why does feeling icky prevent us from trying to snatch our fellow Christians out of disaster? Where would true repentance start in this situation?
- How can you tell if a person is inside the church or outside the church? If there is no such thing as church membership in the Bible, how can a person be removed from the church?
- What is Paul’s final instruction to the church concerning this man who is living in sin (End of verse 12)? What does Paul tell the church to do once the man repents (2 Corinthians 2:6-7)? What is the purpose then of church discipline? Is it a permanent public humiliation or is it meant to bring about repentance and restoration? How can this truth guide us when church discipline is required?