Church Practice

Why We Need Church Discipline?

by Dale Partridge & Veronica Partridge

We often think the sole beneficiary of church discipline is the individual upon whom the correction is conveyed. However, this perspective is myopic. Church discipline is a biblical practice yielding fruit within three primary parties—the sinning individual led to repentance, the shepherd guiding the process of reconciliation in truth and love, and the entire church who learns by observation that rampant and unrepentant sin will not be permitted.

But why do so many churches avoid church discipline? What happens if a local church refuses or neglects church discipline? Is church discipline even a vital practice for a modern church?

In this episode, Dale and Veronica look to Scriptures to determine the Bible’s instructions, boundaries, and heart posture regarding church discipline.

Additional Resources

Scripture References

  • Matthew 18:15-17

    “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault between you and him alone. If he hears you, you have gained your brother. But if he will not hear, take with you one or two more, that ‘by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.’ And if he refuses to hear them, tell it to the church. But if he refuses even to hear the church, let him be to you like a heathen and a tax collector.”

  • 1 Corinthians 5:9-13

    “I wrote to you in my epistle not to keep company with sexually immoral people. Yet I certainly did not mean with the sexually immoral people of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or idolaters, since then you would need to go out of the world. But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner—not even to eat with such a person. For what have I to do with judging those also who are outside? Do you not judge those who are inside? But those who are outside God judges. Therefore “put away from yourselves the evil person.”

  • Galatians 5:9

    “A little leaven leavens the whole lump.”

  • 1 Peter 1:15

    “But as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct.”

  • Hebrews 12:14

    “Strive for peace with everyone, and for the holiness without which no one will see the Lord.”

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After watching or listening to this episode, what is your opinion? Do you have any questions or comments? Maybe you have something to add to the discussion? If so, let us know in the comments below.

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