#GOFAMINTDailyDevotion Sat. 7/10/2017

Quarter’s Theme: CONFLICT RESOLUTION IN THE CHURCH

UNIT 2 – Preventing Conflict In The Church (Lessons 4-7)

LOYALTY CAMPAIGN MONTHS

Suggested Hymns: G.H.B. 259, 270

Devotional Reading: GEN. 13:1-9

Topic For Adults

DON’T KEEP MALICE

Topic For Youths

TALK IT OVER

Topic For Intermediates

LET’S TALK

Lesson Scripture

MATTHEW 18:15-17

8/10/2017 LESSON 6

KEEP COMMUNICATION LINE EFFECTIVE

MEMORY VERSE

Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed (Jam. 5:16a) NKJV

DAILY DEVOTIONAL READING

Sat. 7/10/2017

Follow Jesus’ Principle

Matt. 18:15-20

There is no other clearer passage in the Bible that addresses conflict resolution than Matthew 18. Jesus told us that healing offenses in the church is a priority to be taken serious. When somebody has done wrong to us in the church, we must follow Jesus’ principle in resolving the problem. Jesus laid down a principle of discipling and restoring erring members who profess to be Christians in alternative dispute resolving manner different from secular judiciary process (verses 15-17). The purpose of church discipline is to protect God’s reputation (i.e. to preserve the moral purity and doctrinal integrity of the church – 2 Jn. 2:7-11). Church leaders must ensure that the offender is warned privately and should be forgiven if he or she repents but if the offender refuses to respond to the Christian fellow when one or two members and the local church have intervened, then, the person must be treated as one that has fallen from grace (Gal. 5:4). Please note that neglecting Christ’s instruction will lead to spiritual lethargy and eternal doom for the church. However, this must be done in love and self-examination.

Point of Emphasis: Adopting Christ’s instruction is an attempt to save erring members and restore them back to the fold of Christ.

Prayer Point: Help me Lord Jesus to follow Your principle of discipline so that I will not become wayward.