Online Sermons
Lesson #4 - Admonishing One-Another
Series: The One-Another WayLESSON #4 – ADMONISHING ONE-ANOTHER
A FORM OF INSTRUCTION
1. What is the difference between providing instruction and administering admonition?
Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words notes:
“The difference between 'admonish' and 'teach' seems to be that, whereas the former has mainly in view the
things that are wrong and a call for warning, the latter has to do chiefly with the impartation of positive truth.”
~ Admonition is training by word (nouthesia). It involves “verbal instruction” given via a variety of postures.
cf. Col.1:28 & 3:16; Acts 27:9; 1Tim.1:3-4; 1Tim.5:1-2 and Rom.15:14
The act of admonishing others is not a license to run roughshod over others. cf. 2Tim.2:25/correcting with gentleness
However, admonitions often come with a firmness (an edge). cf. 2Tim.4:2/reprove and rebuke
~ There are various other words that can help us better understand the concept of admonition, such as:
correction … forewarning … opposition … persuade … punish … rebuke … refute … reprove … and warning.
- Admonishing others often employs an element of seriousness.
Lk.17:3 / be on your guard! If your brother sins, rebuke him; and if he repents, forgive him.
1Cor.5:5 / I have decided to deliver such a one to Satan... cf. 1Tim.1:20
2Cor.10:6 / we are ready to punish all disobedience
Gal.2:11 / I opposed him to his face, because he stood condemned
Gal.5:21 / ...I forewarn you...that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God
1Tim.5:20 / those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest may be fearful of sinning
Titus 1:10-11 & 13 / ...there are many rebellious men...who must be silenced...reprove them severely
Titus 3:10 / reject a factious man after a first and second warning...
cf. 1Cor.11:17 & 22 and 2Cor.13:2-3 & 13:10
THE GOAL OF ADMONITION
2. What is the ultimate aim of admonishing others?
~ It is certainly not to provide an ego trip for one over another. Neither is the goal to destroy another.
- One needs to first examine his/her own intentions and behavior (Mt.7:5 and Lk.6:42).
- The intention is not to treat the wrongdoer as an enemy but as a brother (2Thess.3:15).
- Gal.6:1 / ...restore such a one in the spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, lest you too be tempted.
~ Ideally, corrections are best done in private (Mt.18:15-17), but sometimes the church needs to be included.
ELI AND HIS SONS
3. Why do you think we are sometimes too reticent in admonishing our brothers and sisters?
~ Eli, who was an Old Testament priest, may have had some commendable qualities but he failed to admonish his sons.
- Read from 1Sam.2:12-17; 2:22-25 and 3:10-18.
- The story of Eli illustrates the difference between remonstrance (toothless protest) and genuine rebuke.
4. Do you find it hard to speak the truth in love? cf. Eph.4:15 & 25
~ Does “peace at any price” sometimes come with a high a price to pay?
P On deck" Encouraging one another...
