WHO IS CHECKING ON ME?

Welcome back to the Discipleship blog series. If you haven’t read the previous posts, you can find them here.
Last week we looked at a way to study the Bible, the SOAPS Bible study method. This week we will consider accountability.
Jesus said - “From everyone who has been given much, much will be demanded; and from the one who has been entrusted with much, much more will be asked.”
 
Jesus shared many stories of accountability and told us many truths of how we will be held responsible for what we do and say.
 
Jesus tells us these things now, so we can be ready for later. And because we will be
accountable to him one day, it’s good to practice being accountable to one another now.
 
Accountability Groups are made up of two or three people of the same gender - men with men, women with women - who meet once a week to discuss a set of questions that help reveal areas where things are going right and other areas that need correction.
 
Every follower of Jesus will be held accountable by God, so every follower of Jesus should practice accountability with others.

But what are we accountable for? I think there is an issue with some of the existing kinds of accountability groups in that it’s never really clearly defined what anyone is accountable for. So let’s define it here.
 
Using a set of questions helps to keep the group on track and aware of what the group members are accountable for. Consider the following list of questions that can be used. Some of the terms might not be familiar but future blogs will define the terms and tools associated with them.
 
Accountability questions
Pray that we will become like Jesus.
How are you doing? How is your prayer life?
Do you have any sin to confess? (relational, sexual, financial, pride, integrity, submission to authority,  etc.).
Did you obey what God told you last time? Share details.
Did you pray for the unbelievers on your list of 100 this week? Did you have a chance to share with any of them? Share details.
Did you memorize any Scripture this week? Quote it.
Have you done your Bible reading each day this week?
What did God say to you from the Word this week?
What are you going to specifically do about it?
Did you meet with your discipleship (three-thirds) group this week? How did it go?
Did you model or assist someone in starting a new three-thirds group this week? Share details.
Do you see anything hindering my walk with Christ?
Did you have the opportunity to share the gospel this week? Share details.
Practice 1-3 minute testimonies and the gospel now.
Who can you invite to do a DBS with you?
Close with prayer regarding what was shared.
 
The whole purpose of accountability is to encourage the expectation of obedience. Jesus said that a disciple is one who follows and obeys. Let’s help each other to follow and obey.
 
So, are you part of an accountability group? Does this seem frightening to you? Do you see value in having this kind of accountability? Let us know in the comments below. If you want someplace to start contact Mark at mkroes@omscanada.org and we could put you in touch with someone in person or virtually to get you started.