Surrounding Yourself With Accountability

“The Resolution”

Session 8 – Surrounding Yourself with Accountability

In the past seven studies, we have covered some heavy situations. Many of us are choosing to replace fear and passivity with courage and direction.

Q: What has impacted you the most? How has going through this study with a group improved your efforts?

The Resolution for Men describes a father’s godly legacy in this order:

first as a faithful follower of Christ,
second as a faithful husband,
third as a faithful father,
and then as a strong spiritual leader in the world.

Q: To what extent are these in the right order for you?

The insights we have discovered together over these weeks can continue to be life changing. While you may be committed and on track today, a time will come when your motivation diminishes and you need someone to push you onward again. Tests and temptations will come. If you want to be courageous for the long haul, you must surround yourself with accountability.

In order to succeed, those closest to you must be close to God. Of course, you will always reach out to those far from Jesus; but if you want to stay faithful to God and your family, you must surround yourself with people who have the same life goal.

If your motivation is to last longer than this study, then you must commit to taking the next step - BE ACCOUNTABLE.

ACCOUNTABLE  (adj)  -  subject to giving an account: answerable

The Bible is full of teachings regarding the people you need in your life and those you should avoid. Let’s look at these verses and see what each teaches regarding relationships.

Oh, the joys of those who do not
follow the advice of the wicked,
or stand around with sinners,
or join in with mockers.
² But they delight in the law of the Lord,
meditating on it day and night.
³ They are like trees planted along the riverbank,
bearing fruit each season.
Their leaves never wither,
and they prosper in all they do.
Psalm 1:1-3
 

Walk with the wise and become wise;

associate with fools and get in trouble.
Proverbs 13:20

 

As iron sharpens iron,
so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17

 

Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.”
1 Corinthians 15:33

 

Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer^[a] is overcome by some sin, you who are godly^[b] should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. ² Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.
Galatians 6: 1-2

 

Q: Concerning those who might walk away from being courageous, how do Jesus’ instructions in Matthew 18:15-20 help us stay accountable? Why do we hesitate to follow these instructions?

“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. ¹⁶ But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. ¹⁷ If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.

¹⁸ “I tell you the truth, whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.

¹⁹ “I also tell you this: If two of you agree here on earth concerning anything you ask, my Father in heaven will do it for you. ²⁰ For where two or three gather together as my followers, I am there among them.”

Insert Clip 12- “Resolution Ceremony”

Q: In this scene of resolve, to whom were Nathan and the other fathers answering, or giving an account?

Q: These fathers had supported each other in the past; in what ways would you expect them to encourage each other in the future?

Q: What challenges do you think might come your way after this study?

Q: How will each of you be able to help one another?

Make no mistake, distractions intent on luring us away are already nearing. So what will it take for us to make it in the long haul?

“Let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the day approaching.”

Hebrews 10:24-25

Q: What does verse 25 mean when it says “not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together”?

Q: To what two things are we called to “stir up” one another?

Good accountability is about being a true Christian friend. It means comforting someone when he is down, encouraging her to do the right thing, praying for protection and guidance for your friend, and even lovingly reproving when he or she gets off track. Accountability is helping someone be found faithful to God!

We need each other. Not just during these few weeks, but long term, throughout our lives. God never intended for any of us to live the Christian life alone. As the body of Christ, we are to work together and share our lives together for the sake of God’s kingdom and for the sake of our children and them any generations to come. By God’s grace, we will be found faithful to His calling!

 

Personal Growth This Week:

Commit to Memory

Proverbs 27:17 - “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”

 

READING:

Men:        “Resolve to Be Found Faithful” (pp. 197-209)

                  Appendix 5: Resolution groups: Accountability for Men (pp 235-37)

Women:   “Faithfully His” (pp. 67-85)

                  “My Best” (pp.89-110)