April 21-25
Overview: Necessary Discipline (Hebrews 12:3-17)
Discipline comes out of a place of love, but how often do we consider discipline in this high view? Typically, we don’t. Discipline hurts and it’s uncomfortable. As children of God, we are to be disciplined as it comes with a desire to help us pursue Christ.
When the word discipline is mentioned, we often think of a relationship between a parent and child. As with any loving parent, God’s discipline is painful and unpleasant in the moment. In fact, one of the ways we know that God loves us as His children is because He is willing to exercise discipline.
Discipline is to bring growth and good. God breaks our idols and tears down the false gods we worship. With God’s discipline, it brings a sense of brokenness for a necessary change. His judgment and discipline breaks us, and in our brokenness we can gain a sober look at our sin and at the state of our soul. We need that brokenness to surrender to God, so that He can work in us again. That is why discipline is a form of grace. God is helping us when we cannot help ourselves by taking away our gods and replacing them with Himself. Yes, the process is painful, but it is always worthwhile.
Through God’s discipline we’re made more like Christ, and thus, we grow in our relationship with Him. God is going to restore the brokenness that sin has caused. He will bind up our wounds and mend our broken bones. He will set our feet to walk His paths and to live in His righteousness. The strength and renewal that God imparts through discipline gives us a glimpse at His plan and purpose. He is making us more like Him.
Day 1: Christ and Discipline (Hebrews 12:3-6)
1. What are some different ways Jesus endured hostility for sinners?
2. Has there ever been a time where you’ve felt weary and like giving up? How are we supposed to handle this?
3. How does Christ’s endurance connect to us receiving God’s discipline as loving?
Day 2: Divine Discipline (Hebrews 12:5-9)
1. What is divine discipline and what does that look like in a believer’s life?
2. Are there areas in your life where you have seen the Lord discipline you? If so, how has that impacted your relationship with Christ?
3. Verse 5 states “and do not give up when He corrects you.” Knowing the fact that Jesus disciplines out of a place of love, how do you frequently respond to discipline in your life from Him?
Day 3: Pursuing Holiness (Hebrews 12:10-17)
1. Do you value holiness? Why is it important?
2. What does the writer of Hebrews mean when he says “without holiness no one will see the Lord”? How does it apply to unbelievers? To believers?
3. To what lengths are you willing for God to develop your holiness? What areas of your life do you still treat as off-limits to Him?
Day 4: Peace and Thankfulness (Colossians 3:12-17)
1. How do peace and thankfulness go hand in hand?
2. What does it look like to do things as representatives of Jesus? How does this look different to unbelievers?
3. According to verse 16, what is key to our expressions of peace and thanksgiving?
4. Take some time to either read a psalm or sing a hymn to the Lord. Make this your prayer today and simply sing His praises.
Day 5: Desiring Discipline (Self-Reflection)
1. Take some time to write some ways you want to see God discipline you in your walk with Him. What areas of your life do you recognize the need for holiness to be developed? What changes need to take place?
2. What would it look life for you to consistently pray for these areas of needed discipline? What accountability do you need with these requests?
3. If someone has impacted you in understanding or appreciating godly discipline, write that person a note of encouragement thanking them for that or tell them how it has impacted you.