Faith Unleashed: Week Six

Week Six Devotional: Church Discipline and Holiness

Day 1: Understanding Church Discipline

Hebrews 12:10-11 (NLT) - "For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way."  

Reflection: Church discipline is often misunderstood as mere punishment. However, Hebrews reminds us that God's discipline is for our good, leading us to share in His holiness. Reflect on how discipline has played a role in your spiritual growth.  

Spiritual Application: Identify an area in your life where you feel God is disciplining you. Write down how this discipline could lead to growth and holiness.  

Prayer: Lord, help me to see Your discipline as an act of love. Open my heart to receive correction and grow in holiness. Amen.

Day 2: The Motivation of Love

1 Corinthians 5:1-2 (NLT) - "I can hardly believe the report about the sexual immorality going on among you—something that even pagans don’t do. I am told that a man in your church is living in sin with his stepmother. You are so proud of yourselves, but you should be mourning in sorrow and shame. And you should remove this man from your fellowship."  

Reflection: Paul addresses a serious sin in the Corinthian church, emphasizing that love should motivate church discipline. Consider how love can guide you in addressing sin, both in your life and in the lives of others.  

Spiritual Application: Think of someone in your life who may need loving correction. Pray for wisdom and courage to approach them with love and grace.  

Prayer: Father, fill my heart with love and compassion. Help me to approach difficult conversations with the hope of restoration. Amen.

Day 3: The Danger of Pride and Unrepentant Sin

Scripture: 1 Corinthians 5:6-8 (NLT) - "Your 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? Get rid of the old 'yeast' by removing this wicked person from among you. Then you will be like a fresh batch of dough made without yeast, which is what you really are. Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us. So let us celebrate the festival, not with the old bread of wickedness and evil, but with the new bread of sincerity and truth."  

Reflection: Pride and unrepentant sin can spread like yeast in dough. Reflect on areas in your life where pride might be preventing you from acknowledging sin.  

Spiritual Application: Examine your heart for any pride or unrepentant sin. Confess these to God and ask for His help in overcoming them.

Prayer: Lord, reveal any pride or unrepentant sin in my heart. Grant me the humility to seek forgiveness and change. Amen.

Day 4: The Process of Church Discipline

Scripture: Matthew 18:15-17 (NLT) - "If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector."  

Reflection: Jesus provides a framework for addressing sin within the church. Reflect on the importance of approaching others privately and with witnesses, always aiming for restoration.  

Spiritual Application: If there is a conflict or sin issue you need to address, plan a private meeting to discuss it with the person involved, following Jesus' guidance.  

Prayer: Jesus, guide me in handling conflicts with grace and wisdom. Help me to follow Your steps in seeking reconciliation. Amen.

Day 5: The Role of the Church Community

1 Corinthians 5:9-13 (NLT) - "When I wrote to you before, I told you not to associate with people who indulge in sexual sin. But I wasn’t talking about unbelievers who indulge in sexual sin, or are greedy, or cheat people, or worship idols. You would have to leave this world to avoid people like that. I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people. It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning. God will judge those on the outside; but as the Scriptures say, 'You must remove the evil person from among you.'"  

Reflection: Paul emphasizes the responsibility of the church to address sin within its community. Reflect on how being part of a church community can help you grow in accountability and holiness.  

Spiritual Application: Engage with your church community this week. Attend a small group or church event to strengthen your connections and accountability.  

Prayer: God, thank You for the gift of community. Help me to be an active participant in my church, supporting others in their walk with You. Amen.

Day 6: The Hope of Restoration

Scripture: Galatians 6:1 (NLT) - "Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself."  

Reflection: The ultimate goal of church discipline is restoration. Reflect on how you can be a source of encouragement and support for those who are struggling.  

Spiritual Application: Reach out to someone who may be struggling and offer your support and encouragement. Be a listening ear and a source of hope.  

Prayer: Father, use me as an instrument of Your grace. Help me to restore others gently and with love. Amen.

Day 7: Living as a Holy Community

Scripture: 1 Peter 2:9 (NLT) - "But you are not like that, for you are a chosen people. You are royal priests, a holy nation, God’s very own possession. As a result, you can show others the goodness of God, for he called you out of the darkness into his wonderful light."  

Reflection: We are called to be a holy people, set apart for God's purposes. Reflect on how you can live out this calling in your daily life.  

Spiritual Application: Identify one way you can demonstrate God's goodness to others this week, whether through acts of kindness, sharing your faith, or serving others.  

Prayer: Lord, empower me to live as Your chosen child. May my life reflect Your holiness and draw others to You. Amen.