As of late, I have talked with a lot of people who have a whole lot of intention to follow Jesus, but they simply keep getting tripped up along the way. I hate to see someone who truly wants to change, but they can’t seem to get over making the same mistakes over and over again.
What I have learned is that sometimes it’s not that someone doesn’t want to change, they just can’t do it on their own.
Isolation always breeds devastation.
When you try to grow in Christ on your own, more often than not you will mess up.
But that’s why many people advocate developing accountability with others.
In walking with Christ, God has given us the privilege of sharing life with others with whom we can encourage and challenge. I’ve often encouraged people to find someone of the same gender with whom they can be accountable with weekly in order to stay consistent in their Christian lives. If you don’t have this type of relationship, pray about someone with which you can be authentic and intentional on a regular basis.
“So what do we do when we get together?”
First, share prayer requests and lessons that God has been teaching the two of you. But further than that, you need to challenge each other. Below is a list that I gathered from a book called, Jesus Driven Ministry by Ajith Fernando. Please adjust the following list of sample questions, not to make it easier, but to get more specific with areas in which you know you need help. Make sure the two of you are clear on the meaning of each question.
8 Accountability Questions
- Have you spent time with God on a regular basis?
- Have you compromised your integrity in any way?
- Has your thought life been pure?
- Have you committed any sexual sin?
- Did you put yourself in an awkward situation with a member of the opposite gender?
- What significant thing did you do for your spouse and/or family?
- Have you shared your faith this week? How?
- Have you been truthful in everything we have discussed?
Travis Agnew serves as the Lead Pastor of Rocky Creek Church in Greenville, SC. His most recent book is Just (About) Married.