Status Updates From Handbook of Church Discipli...

One never should be removed from the midst with the 'good riddance' attitude...The so-called backdoor revival is nothing of the sort. We had better adopt the same attitude as the father who mourned for the Prodigal Son and longed for his return, scanning the horizion and running to him at first sight. It should be a solemn time of conscience searching, mourning and prayer when someone is removed from the midst. Pg 89

"One only moves onto the next step in church discipline [of involving one or two others] when progress is not being made toward reconciliation because the other person has dug in his heels and is unwilling to do whatever is necessary to be reconciled." - Pg. 57

-Exhaust all possible options at one stage of the reconciliation/discipline process before moving onto the next stage.

"[One-on-one] is the stage where one believer confronts another about what he believes to be the others sin." - Pg. 45

"...Jesus leaves no options whenever sin separates brothers; he commands informal discipline to bring about reconciliation...Whenever an unreconciled condition exists between two believers, there is no option left: discipline must be pursued." - Pg. 47

"The self-controlled person is one who has a hold or grip on himself, especially on his desires or habitual responses...the...Christian someone who knows when to seek help himself rather than waiting for others to offer it...That means he is sensitive to pleasing and not grieving the Spirit who has worked εγκρατεια in him in the first place, and he is ever ready to rely on the Spirit for help in the future." Pg. 40

“…discipline is not an option, something that ‘might be nice if we decide we want it.’ It is commanded by Christ and is, therefore, the right and privilege of every student.” -Pg. 17