Gospel Correction Week 4
GOSPEL CORRECTION STUDY DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
What stood out to you from our study in Gospel Correction today?
In Habits of Grace, David Mathis says, "Love compels us not only to want to receive a rebuke with a gospel identity, but also to give others the gift. One of the most loving things we can do for others is tell them when they’re in the wrong.” What is your reaction to that statement? Do you agree or disagree?
Why is correction an act of love? What is the ultimate aim of reproof, rebuke, and correction according to Galatians 6:1, James 5:19-20, Matthew 18:15–17, Hebrews 3:12–13, and Luke 17:3–4?
How does pursuing a brother or sister in gentleness and with an aim toward restoration picture the gospel of Jesus?
D.A. Carson says, “If it is hard to accept a rebuke, even a private one, it is harder still to administer one in loving humility.” Why do you think that is? Why do we dislike giving correction and often seek to avoid it? What does that reveal about our hearts? What do we communicate to our brothers and sisters when we are not willing to reprove or correct them? What do we perpetuate when we refuse to confront and help them (cf. Jam 5:19-20)?
Is Galatians 6:1 a suggestion or an imperative, and what difference does that make?
What attitude should we have in confronting our brother or sister according to Galatians 5:25-6:5,
Mathew 7:5, 2 Timothy 2:24-26, Galatians 2:11 & 14, and Luke 17:3-4?
How does biblical correction — with the aim of restoration and the attitude of gentleness — differ from the world’s approach to correction? What makes that difference? If you knew a brother or sister loved you, was committed to you, had a holy anxiety for your highest good, and that brother or sister humbly and gently confronted you, how might that affect your response?
In confronting a brother or sister, what might you add to the following checklist? Before confronting, have you examined your own heart first (Matt 7:5, Gal 6:3)? Have you prayed (Ps 139:23-24, Col 4:2, Phil 4:6, 1 Tim 2:1)? Have you attempted to be charitable and understanding (Gal 6:2)? Have you invited the wisdom of another brother or sister to examine your heart and motives (Heb 3:12-13)? In confronting, is your confrontation personal (Gal 2:11, Heb 3:12-13, Matt 18:15-17)? Are you confronting in kindness, loving humility, and gentleness (2 Tim 2:24-26, Gal 6:1, John 13:34-35)? Is your confrontation clear and rooted in the truth of the gospel (Gal 2:14, 2 Cor 4:2, Rom 2:4)? Is your motivation brotherly affection (Rom 12:10)? Is your aim to be right or to restore a wandering brother or sister to life (Gal 6:1, Jam 5:19-20)?
What attitudes, affections, or actions need to change as a result of this study? What will you take away from this Gospel Correction series?
