The Most Excellent Way: Does

The Most Excellent Way

A Small Group Devotional

Week 8: Does

“Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.”

1 Corinthians 13:6, NIV Tweet

Reading

Read the following texts.

Discussion

Churches and other organizations have struggled with scandals of abuse and exploitation. In each of these contexts we typically find a readiness to suppress information and pretend it never happened. The same leaders are often quick to denounce the faults of others whether within or outside the Church. We may even find within these groups some who would celebrate the suffering and misfortune of their opponents and enemies.

What might a church look like that understands accountability not just as discipline for misdeeds but also as celebration of successes?
What would a church look like that embraces accountability even from perceived outsiders and enemies?
How can an insistence on honor at the expense of accountability promote abuse and harm within a community? How about accountability at the expense of honor?
What are the dangers of uncritical and unconditional honor? What are the dangers of punitive accountability (as opposed to restorative)?
What has motivated us as a church (local, regional, and international) to protect abusers and vilify victims? Or motivated us to cover up and hide our corruption over confession and repentance?