Group Discussion Guide: The Withdrawal of Fellowship

Opening Prayer and Introduction:
Begin with prayer, asking God to give your group wisdom, humility, and love as you discuss this difficult but important topic.

Icebreaker Question
* Why do you think God designed Christianity to be lived out in community rather than in isolation? What would be missing if we tried to follow Christ alone?

Key Takeaways from the Sermon:
1. The withdrawal of fellowship is an act of love, not punishment—it's designed to shock someone into recognizing they're lost so they can be saved.
2. Two purposes of church discipline:
* To save the individual's soul (1 Corinthians 5:5)
* To protect the church from corruption (1 Corinthians 5:6—"a little leaven leavens the whole lump")
3. We don't withdraw because someone sins—we all sin. We withdraw when someone lives in impenitent sin and refuses correction.
4. The withdrawal doesn't damn someone—it simply identifies what is already true about their spiritual condition.
5. The process matters: Matthew 18 outlines the steps—private conversation, witnesses, tell the church, and finally treat them as being outside the faith.

Discussion Questions:
Understanding the Concept
1. What was your initial reaction to this sermon topic? Be honest—does the idea of withdrawing fellowship make you uncomfortable? Why or why not?
2. How does viewing church discipline as an act of love change your perspective on it? Can you think of other situations where loving someone means doing something difficult?
3. Glenn brought up this Scriptural thought: "A little leaven leavens the whole lump." What does this mean practically for a congregation? Have you seen examples of how tolerating sin affects a church community?

Biblical Foundation
4. Read Matthew 18:15-17 together. What strikes you about Jesus' process for addressing sin? Why do you think He designed it this way?
5. In 1 Corinthians 5, Paul commands the church to deliver someone "to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved." What does this mean? How is this ultimately an act of mercy?
6. Glenn emphasized that withdrawal doesn't make someone "more damned"—it identifies what's already true. How does this distinction matter in how we approach church discipline?

Practical Application
7. Why do you think so few churches practice church discipline today? What fears or concerns might prevent elders and congregations from following through?
8. Glenn said, "The greatest form of church discipline occurs without the elders—between Christians who gently hold each other accountable." What does this look like in everyday life? How can we create a culture where loving accountability is normal?
9. If someone withdraws themselves before the process is complete, should the church still make an announcement? Why or why not? What's at stake?
10. How should we treat someone after fellowship has been withdrawn? Discuss the balance between:
* Not keeping company with them (1 Corinthians 5:11)
* Not counting them as an enemy (2 Thessalonians 3:15)
* Continuing to admonish them as a brother/sister

Personal Reflection
11. Glenn mentioned that knowing your church practices discipline actually creates security. Do you agree? How would it feel to know your brothers and sisters love you enough to confront you if you were walking away from God?
12. Galatians 6:1 says to restore someone "in the spirit of meekness, considering yourself, lest you also be tempted." How does this attitude of humility protect us when we're involved in church discipline?

Practical Applications:

For Individuals
* Build accountability relationships where you give someone permission to ask you hard questions about your spiritual life
* Pray regularly for those in your congregation who may be struggling with sin
* Examine your own heart: Are there areas of impenitent sin in your life? Don't wait for others to confront you—confess and repent now
* Study the passages on church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17; 1 Corinthians 5; 2 Thessalonians 3:6-15; Galatians 6:1) to understand God's heart on this matter

For the Group
* Commit to gentle accountability with one another—ask permission to check in on spiritual struggles
* Support your elders in prayer as they carry the weight of watching over souls (Hebrews 13:17)
* Create a culture of confession: Make your group a safe place to admit struggles before they become patterns of sin

For the Church
* If your congregation doesn't practice church discipline, consider how to lovingly encourage leadership to follow Scripture in this area
* Understand that discipline strengthens the church—it doesn't weaken it when done biblically
* Be prepared to participate if your elders must lead in withdrawing fellowship—this is a congregational responsibility, not just an elder decision

Reflection Questions for the Week:

Choose one or two to journal about:
1. Is there someone I need to lovingly confront about sin? What's holding me back?
2. Am I living in any pattern of sin that I've been ignoring or minimizing? What steps do I need to take toward repentance?
3. How can I better support my church leaders as they fulfill their responsibility to watch over our souls?
4. Do I truly believe that church discipline is an act of love? What would help me embrace this biblical teaching more fully?

Closing Prayer:

Pray together for:
* Wisdom and courage for church leaders who must make difficult decisions
* Those who are currently living in sin—that they would see the light and return
* A spirit of humility and love in your congregation
* Protection for your church family from the corrupting influence of tolerated sin
* Hearts that value obedience to Christ above comfort or popularity

Additional Resources
* Scripture Memory: 2 Thessalonians 3:6 - "Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not according to the tradition which he received from us."
* Further Study: Read 2 Corinthians 2:5-11 about restoring the pentitent brother from 1 Corinthians 5. Notice Paul's emphasis on forgiveness and comfort once repentance occurs.

Remember: The goal of church discipline is always restoration and salvation, never condemnation. Approach this topic with the same love and grace that Christ has shown us.

5-Day Devotional: The Discipline of Divine Love:

Day 1: The Church as God's Family
Reading: Hebrews 13:17; Galatians 6:1-2

Devotional: God never intended for us to walk the Christian journey alone. He placed us in a spiritual family where we bear one another's burdens and watch for each other's souls. The elders who shepherd us must give an account for how they cared for us. This isn't about control—it's about love. When we're overtaken by sin, our spiritual family has the responsibility to restore us gently, always remembering our own vulnerability to temptation. Consider today: Does anyone in your church family need your gentle accountability? Do you have anyone in your life to help guard your soul? Thank God for the gift of spiritual community that keeps us from walking in darkness alone.

Day 2: Love That Tells the Truth
Reading: Ephesians 4:15; Proverbs 27:5-6

Devotional: True love doesn't pretend everything is fine when it's not. Speaking truth in love means caring enough about someone's eternal destiny to have difficult conversations. When we ignore sin in a brother or sister's life, we're not being kind—we're being complicit in their spiritual danger. The wounds of a friend are faithful; they may sting, but they heal. Pretending someone is okay when they're walking toward destruction is the opposite of love. God's discipline proves His love for us, and our willingness to lovingly confront proves our love for one another. Reflect today: Is there someone you've been avoiding a necessary conversation with because it's uncomfortable? Ask God for courage to love them enough to tell the truth.

Day 3: The Purpose of Correction
Reading: 1 Corinthians 5:1-7; 2 Corinthians 2:5-8

Devotional: Church discipline serves two vital purposes: saving the soul of the wayward member and protecting the purity of the church. Like yeast that spreads through dough, unaddressed sin influences the entire congregation. Yet discipline is never about condemnation—it's about awakening someone to spiritual reality before it's too late. The goal is always restoration. When the Corinthian man repented, Paul urged the church to forgive and comfort him, lest he be overwhelmed by sorrow. This reveals the heart of biblical discipline: shocking someone into recognizing their danger so they can return to safety. Consider: How does understanding the loving purpose of discipline change your perspective on accountability? Pray for those who have wandered from the truth.

Day 4: Obedience Belongs to Christ
Reading: Acts 20:28; 1 Peter 5:1-4

Devotional: The church doesn't belong to us—it belongs to Jesus, who purchased it with His own blood. We don't have the authority to modify His commands or rewrite His instructions to suit our comfort. When Scripture clearly commands us to withdraw fellowship from those living in impenitent sin, we must obey—not because we're harsh, but because we trust His wisdom more than our feelings. Christ is the Chief Shepherd, and those who lead His flock are merely under-shepherds accountable to Him. Our preferences don't override His authority. The nail-scarred hands that bought the church have every right to determine how it functions. Reflect: In what areas are you tempted to prioritize comfort over obedience? Surrender your will to Christ today.

Day 5: Security in Church Community
Reading: 1 John 1:5-10; James 5:19-20

Devotional: A church that practices loving accountability creates profound security. Knowing your brothers and sisters love you enough to confront you if you're in spiritual danger provides assurance that you won't be allowed to drift away unnoticed. We all sin, but there's a difference between stumbling and setting up camp in sin. A healthy church distinguishes between weakness and willful rebellion, offering grace for the former and intervention for the latter. This creates a community where holiness thrives and souls are saved from death. When we turn a sinner from error, we cover a multitude of sins (James 5:20). What peace comes from knowing you're surrounded by people committed to your eternal welfare! Thank God today for a church family that loves you enough to help you stay faithful unto death.