Unwrapping the Mess
Week of November 7- December 13
Week of November 7- December 13
The Scripture
1 Corinthians 5
1 Corinthians 5
The Message
Christmas isn’t sentimental, it’s transformational.
- Christmas reminds us that sin is serious. (Vrs. 1-3)
- Christmas reminds us that Christ came to cleanse us. (Vrs. 6-8)
Why should churches practice discipline?
- For the sake of the unrepentant sinner. (Vrs. 5
- For the sake of other church members. (Vrs. 6)
- For the sake of Jesus. (Vrs. 7)
- For the sake of the outside world. (Vrs. 9-13)
- Christmas reminds us to live as God’s holy people. (Vrs. 9-13)
4 Step Process for Church Discipline:
- Private correction
- Small group clarification
- Church admonition
- Church exclusion
The Questions
1. Why do you think the Corinthian church tolerated the sin Paul describes? What clues in the passage help us understand their mindset?
2. Paul uses the picture of leaven affecting the whole lump. What does this teach us about the nature of sin in a community?
3. The sermon described becoming “used to” certain sins—like bees in the bakery or body-wash residue in the drain. What kinds of sin or patterns are easiest for people to grow numb to?
4. Paul roots the call to holiness in the truth that “Christ our Passover Lambs been sacrificed.” How does remembering what Jesus has done actually motivate repentance, rather than just guilt or fear?
5. Why is church discipline—when practiced biblically—an expression of love rather than harshness? How have you seen (or can you imagine) a church practicing this in a healthy way?
6. When you have to address a hard issue with someone, what tends to be more challenging for you—finding the courage to speak up or showing grace as you do it?
7. Paul emphasizes the watching world. How does the way the church handles sin—both personally and corporately—shape what non-Christians believe about Jesus?
Christmas isn’t sentimental, it’s transformational.
- Christmas reminds us that sin is serious. (Vrs. 1-3)
- Christmas reminds us that Christ came to cleanse us. (Vrs. 6-8)
Why should churches practice discipline?
- For the sake of the unrepentant sinner. (Vrs. 5
- For the sake of other church members. (Vrs. 6)
- For the sake of Jesus. (Vrs. 7)
- For the sake of the outside world. (Vrs. 9-13)
- Christmas reminds us to live as God’s holy people. (Vrs. 9-13)
4 Step Process for Church Discipline:
- Private correction
- Small group clarification
- Church admonition
- Church exclusion
The Questions
1. Why do you think the Corinthian church tolerated the sin Paul describes? What clues in the passage help us understand their mindset?
2. Paul uses the picture of leaven affecting the whole lump. What does this teach us about the nature of sin in a community?
3. The sermon described becoming “used to” certain sins—like bees in the bakery or body-wash residue in the drain. What kinds of sin or patterns are easiest for people to grow numb to?
4. Paul roots the call to holiness in the truth that “Christ our Passover Lambs been sacrificed.” How does remembering what Jesus has done actually motivate repentance, rather than just guilt or fear?
5. Why is church discipline—when practiced biblically—an expression of love rather than harshness? How have you seen (or can you imagine) a church practicing this in a healthy way?
6. When you have to address a hard issue with someone, what tends to be more challenging for you—finding the courage to speak up or showing grace as you do it?
7. Paul emphasizes the watching world. How does the way the church handles sin—both personally and corporately—shape what non-Christians believe about Jesus?
PREVIOUS WEEKS
| Unwrapping the Mess - Week 1 |
| Apathy To Affection - Week 5 |
| Apathy To Affection - Week 6 |