Reflection
(1Ti 1:18 ESV) This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
(1Ti 1:19 ESV) holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith,
(1Ti 1:20 ESV) among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Discussion
Dissipline never feels good at the time. We rarely if ever seek to be disciplined. As children we are regularly disciplined by our parents to shape us into better people. As parents we have a responsibility to discipline our children throughout their lives.
In the church there is a measure of discipline as well – and it must be carefully executed according to Scripture. We are commanded by God to keep His church pure. Failing to do so is sinful disobedience and detrimental to us as the body of Christ.
Additionally, the discipline and eventual removal of any one from the church out of anything other than love for both the offender and the body is outright wrong.
1 Timothy 1:5 says:
The aim of our charge is _____________ that issues from a pure _____________ and a good _____________ and a sincere faith.
All things in the church are to be done in love with a pure heart and good conscience.
2 Timothy 3:16-17 says:
All _____________ is breathed out by _____________ and profitable for _____________, for _____________, for _____________, and for _____________ in righteousness, that the man of God may be _____________, _____________ for every good work.
As the body of Christ we must utilize the word of Christ in all we do trusting in Him that His word will make us better as we grow in Him.
Connection
How was discipline in your life encouraged positive things to happen?
How can we recognize the need for change in our daily walk with Christ?
What are areas of sin that you struggle with today?
Spend some time in prayer today and throughout this week for God’s mercy and strength with those areas of struggle.
Expansion
Perseverance of the Saints: God will never leave you.
John 10:28-29, 1 John 2:19-20, Romans 5:9-10, Romans 8:30, Romans 9:10-16
Scripture is true and without error
2 Timothy 3:14-17, Hebrews 1:1-2, Jeremiah 1:0-11, Luke 16:29-31, 2 Peter 1:19-21, 1 Thessalonians 2:13, James 4:5, Romans 15:4, Colossians 3:16, 1 John 5:9-12, Matthew 24:35, Matthew 5:18, Isaiah 40:8