Embracing Admonition: Love, Truth, and Community Growth
Summary
In our ongoing series, "The Power of One Another," we delve into the concept of admonishing one another, a practice rooted in the New Testament teachings, particularly those of Paul. Admonition, though often avoided due to its confrontational nature, is a vital aspect of Christian community. It involves providing correction and guidance to those who are straying from moral and spiritual truths. The Greek term "nuthateo," used in the New Testament, encapsulates this idea of placing something on one's mind, often translated as counseling, warning, or instructing.
Admonition is not about judgment or condemnation but is an act of love, aiming to correct harmful behaviors for the individual's and community's well-being. It requires a balance of truth and love, where the goal is to guide others back to God's path. This practice is challenging in our individualistic and morally relative culture, where confrontation is often seen as negative. However, true Christian love sometimes demands risking discomfort and potential rejection to help others grow spiritually.
For admonition to be effective, it must be rooted in goodness and a deep understanding of God's word. Paul emphasizes this in Colossians 3:16 and Romans 15:14, where he highlights the importance of wisdom and knowledge in teaching and admonishing one another. Admonition should be approached with prayer, pure motives, and a focus on building up rather than tearing down. It should be done privately, face-to-face, and grounded in Scripture, ensuring that it is God's truth being communicated, not personal opinions.
Receiving admonition is equally important. It should be welcomed as a course correction rather than a personal attack. Proverbs teaches us that wise individuals embrace correction, understanding that it leads to growth and maturity. Ultimately, the practice of admonition, when done correctly, strengthens relationships and fosters a genuine Christian community.
Key Takeaways:
- Admonition as an Act of Love: Admonition is a loving act that seeks to correct harmful behaviors for the individual's and community's well-being. It involves risking discomfort and potential rejection to guide others back to God's path. [33:27]
- Rooted in Goodness and God's Word: Effective admonition requires a foundation of goodness and a deep understanding of God's word. It should be approached with wisdom and knowledge, ensuring that it is God's truth being communicated. [36:34]
- Prayer and Pure Motives: Admonition should be preceded by prayer and approached with pure motives. The goal is to build up rather than tear down, helping others become mature in Christ. [39:58]
- Private and Face-to-Face Communication: Admonition should be done privately and face-to-face, allowing for genuine communication and reducing defensiveness. This approach respects the dignity of the individual being admonished. [42:15]
- Welcoming Correction: Receiving admonition should be seen as a course correction rather than a personal rejection. Wise individuals embrace correction, understanding that it leads to growth and maturity. [47:54]
Youtube Chapters:
[00:00] - Welcome
[28:30] - Understanding Admonition
[29:54] - The Challenge of Confrontation
[31:08] - Cultural Barriers to Admonition
[32:15] - Biblical Definition of Admonition
[33:27] - Admonition as an Act of Love
[34:52] - Importance of Admonition in Community
[36:34] - Goodness and Knowledge in Admonition
[37:44] - Practical Principles of Admonition
[39:58] - Prayer and Pure Motives
[41:23] - Private and Face-to-Face Admonition
[43:16] - Direct and Specific Communication
[44:39] - Grounding in God's Word
[45:35] - Empathy and Constructive Approach
[46:38] - Receiving Admonition
[49:02] - Embracing Correction
[50:23] - The Value of Admonition
[53:24] - Historical Example of Admonition
[54:57] - Biblical Example: Nathan and David
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of One Another - Admonishing One Another
Bible Reading:
- Colossians 3:16
- Romans 15:14
- 2 Samuel 12:1-7
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Observation Questions:
1. What does the Greek term "nuthateo" mean, and how is it used in the context of admonishing one another? [32:15]
2. According to the sermon, what are the cultural barriers that make admonition challenging in today's society? [31:08]
3. How does Paul describe the qualities necessary for effective admonition in Colossians 3:16 and Romans 15:14? [36:34]
4. What example from the Bible was used to illustrate the concept of admonition, and what was the outcome of that admonition? [54:57]
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Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the sermon define the balance between truth and love in the practice of admonition? Why is this balance important? [33:27]
2. In what ways does the sermon suggest that prayer and pure motives are essential before engaging in admonition? [39:58]
3. How does the sermon explain the importance of private and face-to-face communication in the process of admonition? [42:15]
4. What does the sermon suggest about the role of receiving admonition in personal growth and maturity? [47:54]
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Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you had to admonish someone or were admonished. How did you handle the situation, and what would you do differently now based on the sermon? [33:27]
2. The sermon emphasizes the need for a deep understanding of God's word in admonition. What steps can you take to deepen your knowledge of Scripture to be better prepared for such situations? [36:34]
3. Consider a relationship in your life where you feel admonition might be necessary. How can you approach this with prayer and pure motives to ensure it is done in love? [39:58]
4. How can you create an environment in your relationships where correction is welcomed and not seen as a personal attack? What practical steps can you take to foster this attitude? [47:54]
5. Think about a situation where you might need to receive admonition. How can you prepare your heart to accept it as a course correction rather than a personal rejection? [49:02]
6. The sermon mentions the importance of being direct and specific in admonition. How can you practice this in your communication with others while remaining empathetic and constructive? [43:16]
7. Reflect on the story of Nathan and David. How can you be a faithful friend like Nathan, willing to speak truth into the lives of those you care about, even when it's difficult? [54:57]
Devotional
Day 1: Admonition as a Loving Correction
Admonition is a profound act of love within the Christian community, aimed at guiding individuals back to the path of righteousness. It is not about judgment or condemnation but about caring enough to address harmful behaviors that could lead one astray. In a world that often shuns confrontation, true Christian love sometimes requires us to risk discomfort and potential rejection to help others grow spiritually. This practice is rooted in the teachings of the New Testament, where Paul emphasizes the importance of admonishing one another as a means of fostering spiritual growth and community well-being. [33:27]
"Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted." (Galatians 6:1, ESV)
Reflection: Think of someone in your life who may be straying from their spiritual path. How can you lovingly and gently guide them back to God's truth today?
Day 2: Grounding Admonition in God's Word
For admonition to be effective, it must be deeply rooted in goodness and a thorough understanding of God's word. This ensures that the guidance provided is not based on personal opinions but on divine truth. Paul, in his letters, underscores the necessity of wisdom and knowledge in teaching and admonishing one another. Approaching admonition with a foundation of Scripture allows for a balanced delivery of truth and love, aiming to build up rather than tear down. This practice requires prayer, pure motives, and a focus on the spiritual maturity of the individual and the community. [36:34]
"Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God." (Colossians 3:16, ESV)
Reflection: How can you deepen your understanding of God's word to ensure that your guidance to others is rooted in His truth?
Day 3: The Role of Prayer and Pure Motives in Admonition
Admonition should always be preceded by prayer and approached with pure motives. The goal is to help others grow in their faith and become mature in Christ, rather than to criticize or belittle. This requires a heart that seeks to build up and encourage, rather than tear down. By praying for guidance and maintaining pure intentions, one can ensure that the act of admonition is a reflection of God's love and wisdom. This approach not only benefits the individual being admonished but also strengthens the bonds within the Christian community. [39:58]
"Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:16, ESV)
Reflection: Before you approach someone with admonition, have you taken the time to pray for them and examine your own motives?
Day 4: The Importance of Private and Face-to-Face Admonition
Admonition should be conducted privately and face-to-face to allow for genuine communication and reduce defensiveness. This approach respects the dignity of the individual and fosters an environment where they can receive guidance without feeling attacked. By addressing issues in a personal and direct manner, one can ensure that the message is conveyed with clarity and compassion. This method of communication is essential in maintaining trust and respect within the Christian community, allowing for constructive dialogue and spiritual growth. [42:15]
"If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother." (Matthew 18:15, ESV)
Reflection: Is there someone you need to speak to privately about a concern? How can you approach this conversation with respect and love?
Day 5: Embracing Correction as a Path to Growth
Receiving admonition is as important as giving it. It should be welcomed as a course correction rather than a personal attack. The wisdom literature in Proverbs teaches that wise individuals embrace correction, understanding that it leads to growth and maturity. By being open to receiving guidance, one can develop a deeper relationship with God and the community. This openness to correction is a sign of humility and a desire to grow in faith, ultimately strengthening the bonds within the Christian community. [47:54]
"Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future." (Proverbs 19:20, ESV)
Reflection: How do you typically respond to correction? What steps can you take to be more open to receiving guidance from others?
Quotes
"We don't like to be seen as the bad guy or the bad girl. We don't want to be the person that when we confront someone, would damage the relationship. We don't want to damage the relationship. And we worry that the person we're confronting might get hurt, that they might get angry, and then what, right?" [00:30:18] (24 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Admonition seeks to correct those who are damaging themselves and others by wrong moral choices. I think that's a good way to define this. Yes. That it's seeking to correct, but in a loving way." [00:32:30] (23 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Admonition works best when the person doing it has their own house in pretty good order. Obviously, none of us are perfect. But as you might recall, Jesus said to take the log out of your own eye before you attempt to remove the speck from your brothers. That's good advice when admonishing." [00:36:34] (28 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Admonishment must be based on God's specific will and ways, not on our personal opinions. That's no longer me. I'm not admonishing you if I come to you with my opinion, who I think you should be, the way I think you should look, the way I think you should act. It's not about that." [00:37:44] (21 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"We should take the time to pray for the right attitude, for the right perspective, for wisdom, for timing, for God's preparation of the other person's heart to receive it." [00:39:58] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Admonition should not be done to tear people down, to embarrass them. It's always to help build up. Paul wrote in Colossians 1 .28, we proclaim him admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom so that we can present everyone perfect in Christ. That is our goal." [00:41:23] (22 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Privacy is important because it makes it easier for the other person to react, not to react defensively. Not to have to worry about saving face in front of other people. But the conversation can be real." [00:42:15] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"The person who wants to be wise and is wise will welcome correction where necessary. Also, I think we should consider the admonition as a course correction, not as a personal rejection." [00:47:54] (15 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
"Finally, I think when someone admonishes you, you should thank them. Thank them for loving you enough to admonish. Proverbs 27, 5 and 6 says, Better is open rebuke than hidden love." [00:50:23] (20 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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