Accountability Groups/Person - How is this suppose to work in practice?

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

I for one don't want to be held accountable but rather would like to be challenged to a higher level and experience of what my faith in Chirst/God will allow me to see and absorb.

To me the word accountability is by it's very nature negative, and that we review and confess what is not being done. Rather than challenging each other to a higher level in which his, will is being done in us to allow us a greater peace of mind and focus.

We have all heard don't lose sight of the forest, dispite the trees. Lightwise we shouldn't get bogged down in what sin we did today, but rather what are we doing to correct the situation, so that we don't repeat the sin tommorrow.

What I find is that people get used to repeating their sins in a group of individuals, especially if they are the common, oh I screwed-up, yeah I do that to types of sin.

Also what is the point of repeatly confessing the same sins? We should be helping each other with the ways to combat the sins we commit, not just asking for weekly or monthly forgiveness.

I'm interested in what others have experience in similar groups.

SAM · Veteran Joined: 03 Mar 2001 Posts: 1989 Location: Chicago

I guess I look at accountability differently and no longer shy away from it. Is it hard to accept at times, sure. We don't like to look at our own sin because it is painful.

In a group setting, it can be showing up on a regular basis. Participating and preparing for study. Being challenged toward growth in our relationship with God.

If you choose to have a particular person or persons to confide in, it can take on many forms. Do you have a particular sin that you keep falling in to? If someone else sees this in you, why would you have difficulty having them lovingly bring this forward?" That is accountability as well as a challenge to look at yourself and your trust in God to help you walk away from repeated sin in your life. I look at that as a positive, not a negative.

My husband and I have what we call our "Board Of Directors" for our marriage. These are people we have become very close to over the years. They hold us accountable for our marriage. Are we staying committed to each other, are we having fun? Are we growing in our relationship with each other and God. Do we have dates nights and many other things are part of this also. If they see a pattern of repeated sin in us, do we want to be accountable as well as challenged - you bet.

Lets see - "To challenge" - a calling into question, or anything that calls for special effort or dedication.

"Accountable" - obliged to account for one's acts. A synonym is the word "responsible".

Maybe responsibility to yourself and others is easier to swallow and less negative.

All a matter of what we are comfortable with?

kelly · Posted: Fri Apr 12, 2002 11:17 pm Post subject:

I desire to be held accountable to those more mature, more experienced, wiser, than me. I know I am accountable to God one day, and I want to hear, "Well done good and faithful servant". If I can't be accountable and teachable down here, I won't be as prepared for His accountability up there! We all need to be able to take correction, to know we will be held accountable here and now by somebody we respect and trust, we need to be teachable, otherwise we will take on spirits of pride, stubborness, sin, and so on...I am more likely to stay in God's will if I know I am accountable to someone else. I know that God is watching me, and that He can convict me, but it's easier to ignore that than to ignore somebody physically seeing me and calling me to help me along my way...

GIC · Full Member Joined: 02 Mar 2001 Posts: 102 Location: IL.

Sam, I like what you had to say, I have an accountability partner too. She "challanges" just by the very nature of our conversation. Most of the time she doesn't even know shes doing it. The Spirit does that through her in the most mysterious ways. We cover, ministry, marriage, family and work. The beauty is that when we're together, we don't do idle chat, we get right to the meat, because we have given eachother the "ok" to tell the truth. I hold back on other friends because they don't necessarily want the truth. I give accountability the thumbs up! GIC

webacus · Posted: Sun Apr 14, 2002 4:09 pm Post subject:

Accountability... yes, I'm all for it. Dave I agree with your post. For me, accountability works best in a one-on-one context, instead of a group, for the reasons you gave.

I believe age is important too. A wiser, more experienced person can be a more effective mentor.

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