What is the purpose of church discipline?
Deuteronomy 8:5“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.”
Proverbs 3:11-12My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights.
Proverbs 29:15To discipline a child produces wisdom, but a mother is disgraced by an undisciplined child.
Church discipline is similar to God’s discipline or parental discipline. It should be done from a desire to restore rather than to condemn. “Discipline” and “discipling” are partners. While individual members might be disciplined for their own good, there is also a broader purpose to help church members live together in harmony so the church can continue its mission to share God’s message. It is especially important for the integrity of the church and for their witness to the world. Such discipline is based on accountability and consequences.
James 5:20You can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.
Church discipline is for the benefit of the one being disciplined. It should occur when those in the church see a member committing flagrant sin. The discipline is to help the erring member see his or her sin, deal with it through repentance, and return to the fellowship.
1 Corinthians 5:6Your boasting about this is terrible. Don’t you realize that this sin is like a little yeast that spreads through the whole batch of dough?
Hebrews 12:15Look after each other so that none of you fails to receive the grace of God. Watch out that no poisonous root of bitterness grows up to trouble you, corrupting many.
Church discipline is for the benefit of the church body. Whenever people live, work, and serve together, conflict is inevitable. Allowing sin to go unchecked will allow it to fester. Restoring one member heals the whole body, just as healing one part of your physical body restores a feeling of wholeness to your whole body.
