Rebuking our friends (without judging them. *gulp*) Sarah Shin

re·buke (dictionary.com) 1. To criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand. 2. To check or repress

Christ-like rebuke is specifically challenging an individual to realign and redirect their actions to align with the image of God. So God created human beings in his own image, in the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. Genesis 1:27

William: We have beaten the English, but they'll come back because you won't stand together. Craig: Well what will you do? William: I will invade England and defeat the English on their own ground. Craig: Invade? That's impossible. Braveheart William: Why? Why is that impossible? You're so concerned with squabbling for the scraps from Longshank's table that you've missed your God given right to something better. There is a difference between us. You think the people of this country exist to provide you with possession. I think your possession exists to provide those people with freedom.

Elrond: The man who can wield the power of this sword can summon to him an army more deadly than any that walks this earth. Put aside the ranger. Become who you were born to be. LOTR 3, Return of the King

John 8:2-11 At dawn Jesus appeared again in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The teachers of the law and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in adultery. They made her stand before the group and said to Jesus, "Teacher, this woman was caught in the act of adultery. In the Law Moses commanded us to stone such women. Now what do you say?" They were using this question as a trap, in order to have a basis for accusing him.

Leviticus 20:10 "If a man commits adultery with another man's wife—with the wife of his neighbor—both the adulterer and the adulteress must be put to death.”

John 8:2-11 But Jesus bent down and started to write on the ground with his finger. When they kept on questioning him, he straightened up and said to them, "If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her." Again he stooped down and wrote on the ground. At this, those who heard began to go away one at a time, the older ones first, until only Jesus was left, with the woman still standing there.

John 8:2-11 Jesus straightened up and asked her, "Woman, where are they? Has no one condemned you?" "No one, sir," she said. "Then neither do I condemn you," Jesus declared. "Go now and leave your life of sin."

Passages about rebuke Leviticus 19:17 Do not hate your brother in your heart. Rebuke your neighbor frankly so you will not share in his guilt. Timothy 4:2 Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. Titus 1:13 This testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith Titus 2:15 These, then, are the things you should teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.

Pharisees’ style/ Unhealthy rebuke is … Jesus’ style/ Healthy rebuke is… Angry & loudQuiet and calm Condemnation/ cutting off Rooted in human expectations Public humiliationAppropriate clear addressing of issue Restoration / second chance Rooted in the Bible

How to Rebuke Friends 1. Wait & reflect 2. Pray 3. Do a litmus test 4. Rebuke in private with gentleness * Things to avoid Negative identity markers Speaking in absolutes Comparison with yourself

How to Receive Rebuke 1. Listen. Resist the urge to argue, “defend”, & hide. 2. Resist the urge to tear down the other person. 3. Do a litmus test. Ask close friends to verify. 4. Respond. Repent. Realign. Discard if not applicable.

Application Questions 1. What barriers to giving or receiving rebuke do you see in yourself? Pray for God to remove them. 2. Have you experienced any previous negative or hurtful encounters with giving/receiving rebuke in the past? Have your group pray for you to receive healing. 3. *Role-play. Imagine a hypothetical situation where you have to rebuke a brother/sister (they were being mean/inconsiderate to someone; they struggle with drub use). How would you go about doing it?

re·buke (dictionary.com) 1. To criticize or reprove sharply; reprimand To check or repress Hebrew translation (blueletterbible.com) a) (Hiphil) 1) to decide, judge 2) to adjudge, appoint 3) to show to be right, prove 4) to convince, convict 5) to reprove, chide b) (Hophal) to be chastened c) (Niphal) to reason, reason together d) (Hithp) to argue