Mark 7: A Healthy Church Member seeks Discipline

Discipline is about education and learning, order and growth. Discipline in the life of the congregation and the healthy church member provides an atmosphere for growth and development. Two forms of discipline occur in the life of healthy church members, both originating in the Word of God. “Formative discipline” refers to how Scripture shapes and molds the Christian as he or she imbibes its teaching and is trained to live for God. “Corrective Discipline” describes how the Word of God confronts and turns us away from error to righteousness.

Receive the Word of God with meekness, acknowledging it as the source of salvation and instruction in godly living. Recognize chastisement as evidence of God’s love; God himself is a loving Father who disciplines his children. Humbly accept correction from others. Take seriously our responsibility to care for others by sustaining the discipline of the local church; proactively in love seek to restore those who are caught in sin.

Mark 8: A Healthy Church Member is a Growing Disciple

It is normal for Christians to grow, to work for growth, and to expect increasing spiritual maturity. We must not focus superficially on the outward signs and neglect the inward reality (Luke 18:9-14). We cannot fall into the trap believing that good performance and success are related to spiritual growth and discipleship. We cannot judge our well-being by comparing ourselves to others. We should not rely solely on our self-effort. A growing church member is someone who looks more and more like Jesus in attitude of heart, thought, speech, and action.

Abide in Christ, remaining in the True Vine (John 15:5-8). Study the Word of God, participate in the ordinances of baptism and communion along with the gathered church, and pray. Be strengthened and matured through participation in the body of Christ (Ephesians 4:11-16). Meditate on and look forward to the second coming of Christ (Philippians 3:20-21).