Vine & Branch Study Series

Part 2 of The Vine and Branches Study

The goal of God’s discipline of the believer is always for a person’s good. According to the Bible, a man who withholds discipline actually “hates his son (Proverbs 13:24)

Hebrews 12:5-11 what do we learn about God’s methods & motives in the discipline process?

a. He disciplines us because He __________________ us. (v. 6)

b. He disciplines us as our Father because we are His _______________ (v. 7)

c. He doesn’t discipline just some sons but __________________ son (vv. 6-7)

d. However, the purpose of His discipline is always for our ____________ (v. 10)

e. At the time, His discipline doesn’t feel good; it feels _______________ (v. 11)

f. In fact, if we allow God to train us, the benefit is extraordinary:

We become partakers of His _______________________ (v. 10) & receive the peaceable fruit of ________________________________ (v. 11)

According to verses 9-10, what are the differences between God’s perfect discipline and imperfect human discipline? Why might those differences be very important to keep in mind?

In Hebrews12, we find three levels of discipline.

Level I: Rebuke (v.5)

A rebuke is a verbal warning. We receive God’s rebukes:

a. Through our ____________________ (John 8:9)

b. By the truth of ______________________ (II Timothy 3:16-17)

c. From a person who has spiritual authority in our lives – for example a _____________________, like Timothy (II Timothy 2:24-26 & II Timothy 4:2)

d. By the Holy _________________ (John 16: 7-8)

Level II: Chasten (v.6)

This word is used broadly in scripture to describe the process of child rearing, but it is often focused specifically on correction. In this text since chasten is described as “painful” (v. 11), It indicates more intensive discipline than rebuke. Chastening results in anxiety, frustration, or distress. How would you describe chastening based on the use of the word in Psalm 118:18?

Level III: Scourge (v. 6)

Scourging causes extreme physical pain. The same word is used to describe how soldiers whipped Jesus before His crucifixion (john 19:1) A New Testament example of scouring is found in I Corinthians 11:27-31 List 3 serious negative consequences of God’s discipline in verse 30.

1. ___________________________________________________________________

2. ___________________________________________________________________

3. ___________________________________________________________________

Can you identify times in your life when you were in each of these 3 stages of discipline? What were the signs? How did you resolve the issue?

Asa, the king who refused God’s correction

II Chronicles 16: 7-13

Asa was a good king who initiated many reforms. In his later years, however, he began trusting in the power of his godless allies more than in God. When a prophet confronted him, King Asa refused to repent & angrily threw the prophet in prison. His life went downhill from there.

1. Describe the increasing degrees of discipline you find in Asa’s life in this passage:

a. Rebuke (16:7-9) ________________________________________________

b. Chastening (16:10) ______________________________________________

c. Scourging (16:12) _______________________________________________

2. Has God ever rebuked you through someone else’s words? How did you respond?

3.How might Asa’s life have turned out differently if he had responded to God’s first degree of discipline?

Our text in Hebrews 12:5-15 reveals both positive and negative responses to God’s discipline.

NEGATIVE RESPONSES

1. Do not _____________ the chastening of the Lord (v5)

a. When you despise how a person treats you, How do you tend to react?

b. What could despising God’s discipline look like in a person’s actions, attitudes, or conversations?

2. Nor be _______________________ when you are rebuked by him (v.5)

a. Why might a person feel discouraged when God’s discipline occurs?

.

b. What practical steps could you take to ward off discouragement when God is disciplining you?

3. Looking carefully…lest any root of ____________ springing up cause trouble’’(v.15).

a. How have you witnessed a bitter response to God’s discipline negatively affect yourself or others?

b. What helpful things could you say to a person who is struggling with bitterness because of God’s discipline?

Positive Response: .

1. “If you __________________chastening …”(v.7). God’s chastening can last for a period of time. When a deeply held value, habit, or character quality is the problem change usually takes time. What convictions about God’s character would help you endure painful circumstances for long periods of time?

2. “Be in __________________ to the father” (v 9) Is there anything God is asking you to submit to Him at this time?

3. Chastening yields fruit” to those who have been __________________ by it” (v 11) The best result of discipline is lasting, positive change, Name a change in your character that came as a result of allowing God to train you through challenging circumstances

The “I can outlast God” Strategy:

You believe that God will eventually give up and leave you alone

Psalms 139:7-12 & Luke 15:1-7

The “If you cant beat them, join them” Defense: