Table Talk | October 04-05

Kyle Patrick   -   October 6, 2025

 

Key Takeaways:

  1. Accountability is what believers provide for each other.
  2. Sin always destroys, which is why accountability is necessary.
  3. Jesus gave us a clear pattern for addressing sin in Matthew 18:15-17.
  4. The goal of accountability is restoration, not retribution.
  5. There are five key behaviors that require church discipline: sexual immorality, unwillingness to repent, unwillingness to forgive, promoting false doctrine, and divisiveness.

Discussion Questions:

  1. Why do you think accountability is often viewed negatively in our culture? How does this differ from God’s perspective on accountability?
  2. Read Matthew 18:15-17. What stands out to you about Jesus’ instructions for addressing sin? Why do you think He emphasizes privacy in the early stages?
  3. Pastor Kurt mentioned that “sin will take you farther than you want to go, keep you longer than you want to stay, and cost you more than you’re willing to pay.” Can you share an example of this principle from your own life or someone you know?
  4. How does the concept of the church as a “spiritual umbrella” help you understand the purpose of church discipline?
  5. Discuss the process of desensitization to sin (expected, excused, minimized, accepted, celebrated). Have you seen this pattern in your own life or in others?
  6. Why is it important to focus on accountability within the church rather than judging those outside the church?

Practical Applications:

  1. This week, pray for God to reveal any areas in your life where you’ve become desensitized to sin.
  2. Identify one trusted person in your life who can lovingly hold you accountable. If you don’t have someone, pray for God to provide that relationship.
  3. If you need to address a sin issue with someone, prayerfully consider how to approach them using the Matthew 18 model.
  4. Reflect on how you typically respond to correction. Ask God to help you receive accountability with humility and grace.
  5. As a group, commit to creating a safe environment where members can confess struggles and receive support without judgment.

Closing Prayer:

Lord, thank you for the gift of accountability within your church. Help us to approach it with love, humility, and a desire for restoration. Give us the courage to speak truth to one another and the grace to receive correction. May our unity as a church family bring glory to your name. Amen.