LESSON ELEVEN 
CHURCH DISCIPLINE

A.	CHURCH DISCIPLINE IS NEEDED IN THE CHURCH.
•	Church discipline is needed in the local assembly as well as in the church as a whole. 
•	"Obey them that have the rule over you and submit yourselves" (Hebrews 13: 17).
•	This applies to both ministry and laity; no man is exempt.
•	The local assembly needs church discipline to safeguard the public testimony of the church, and to deal with any known sin in the ranks of the people. 
•	"A little leaven leaveneth the whole lump." 
•	This is a fact that the faithful pastor must remember. 

B.   DISCIPLINE MUST BE ADMINISTERED IN LOVE.
•	The pastor must remember that he is not a lord over God's heritage but he is a spiritual father.
•	It should be with a heavy and aching heart that he uses any form of discipline. 
•	It is his first duty to try to restore the brother in a spirit of meekness (Galatians 6:1). 
•	All discipline must be kept above any carnal level, and, if the pastor loves the individual as his own son or daughter, he will not find this difficult.
C. JESUS GAVE US THE RIGHT STEPS TO TAKE FOR CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
In Matthew 18:15-17, Jesus gave the correct order to follow in enforcing discipline in the church.
Here then is the Scriptural order that should be followed:
1.	PRIVATELY - The pastor should first pray much about the matter and then deal with the offender personally in the spirit of love. The whole matter should be kept as quiet as possible. 
2.	BEFORE THE CHURCH BOARD OF ELDERS OR DEACONS - When the offending member will not listen to the pastor personally, he then can bring him before the church board of elders or deacons
3.	3. PUBLICLY - This is, of course, to be used only as the last resort. If he still refuses to repent, confess his wrong, and to do right, there is, then, only one thing that can be done. With aching and bleeding heart, the pastor can dis-fellowship him. Caution and great wisdom are needed. 
•	The moment they leave an assembly, the pastor's influence is finished and his ministry is ended as far as they are concerned. 
D. THE NEW TESTAMENT GIVES CERTAIN FORMS OF CHURCH DISCIPLINE.
The New Testament forms of church discipline may be classified under the following three headings:
1. ADMONITION.
•	I Thessalonians 5:14
•	II Thessalonians 3:5
•	Titus 3:10
•	This is the mildest form of discipline and the one that the pastor will be called upon to use often. 

2.	REMOVAL FROM FELLOWSHIP.
•	I Corinthians 5:13
•	This should be done only for very serious offences, never hurriedly, and be the act of the entire church. 
3.	DELIVERING OVER TO SATAN.
•	I Corinthians 5:5
•	This is the most drastic form of discipline of all. 
•	Its purpose is saving his soul by bringing him to repentance through severe punishment.
E. SOME PRINCIPLES MAY BE REMEMBERED BY THE PASTOR REGARDING DISCIPLINE.
Here are ten rules that the pastor should remember in administering discipline:

1.) Pray much over every individual case. Deal with them as sons and daughters.
2.) Love, patience, firmness, discernment, wisdom are all needed.
3.) Get all the facts before expressing or committing yourself.
4.) Be sure you hear both sides of the story if there are to sides.
5.) Be slow in forming decisions but when made carry them out; be firm but nevertheless patient and gentle.
6.) Make certain every accusation is proven.  Gossip, rumors, backbiting, does not make sufficient ground for discipline.
7.) Jesus alone knows their hearts.  Never set yourself up as a judge but deal with known facts.
8.) Believe everyone innocent until proven guilty.
9.) Try the less severe forms of discipline such as admonition, probation, etc.
10.) Never impose discipline that you are not prepared to enforce and carry out.
LESSON ELEVEN
SELF HELP TEST

A. Give the THREE steps given in the Bible for enforcing discipline in the church:
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B. Give the THREE forms of Church Discipline given in the Bible:
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C. Give FIVE principles to be remembered by the pastor in administering discipline: 1.
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