LOVE FELLOWSHIP LOVE FELLOWSHIP

TALK-I NEED YOU TO SURVIVE- THE POWER OF ACCOUNTABILITY TALK-I NEED YOU TO SURVIVE- THE POWER OF ACCOUNTABILITY

OPENING SCRIPTURE: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17) OPENING SCRIPTURE: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another" (Proverbs 27:17)

INTRODUCTION INTRODUCTION

We need each other to speak, sing and sometimes shout the truth of God's word to us. We need each We need each other to speak, sing and sometimes shout the truth of God's word to us. We need each
other to pray for us when we are in the midst of temptation. We need friends who will hold on to us other to pray for us when we are in the midst of temptation. We need friends who will hold on to us
when we are ready to give up . We need friends who will challenge and even rebuke us when we are when we are ready to give up . We need friends who will challenge and even rebuke us when we are
indulging in sin. Though the Christian life is a PERSONAL relationship with God, it's NOT a PRIVATE one. indulging in sin. Though the Christian life is a PERSONAL relationship with God, it's NOT a PRIVATE one.
Once you are connected to Christ, and the church for that matter, you need to make yourself ac- Once you are connected to Christ, and the church for that matter, you need to make yourself ac-
countable. This talk seeks to explain to us why accountability is so important and to challenge us to countable. This talk seeks to explain to us why accountability is so important and to challenge us to
embrace it. enjoy!! embrace it. enjoy!!

WHAT IS ACOUNTABILITY? WHAT IS ACOUNTABILITY?

An accountability relationship is one in which a Christian gives permission to another believer to look An accountability relationship is one in which a Christian gives permission to another believer to look
into his life for purposes of QUESTIONING, CHALLENGING, ADMONISHING, ADVISING, ENCOURAGING into his life for purposes of QUESTIONING, CHALLENGING, ADMONISHING, ADVISING, ENCOURAGING
and otherwise providing input in ways that will help the individual live according to the Christian princi- and otherwise providing input in ways that will help the individual live according to the Christian princi-
ples that they both hold (Alan Medinger) ples that they both hold (Alan Medinger)

WHY ACCOUNTABILITY? WHY ACCOUNTABILITY?

1. We are one body and therefore must be responsible for each other. (Rom 12:4-5) 1. We are one body and therefore must be responsible for each other. (Rom 12:4-5)

2. Whatever happens to a brother/ sister affects us and vice versa. 2. Whatever happens to a brother/ sister affects us and vice versa.

3. God has prescribed it as a sure way to help us grow and stabilize in Him. (James 5:16) 3. God has prescribed it as a sure way to help us grow and stabilize in Him. (James 5:16)

LEVELS OF ACCOUNTABILITY LEVELS OF ACCOUNTABILITY

1. Upward- mentors, leaders, teachers, parents, role models (eg Eli and Samuel) 1. Upward- mentors, leaders, teachers, parents, role models (eg Eli and Samuel)

2. Lateral- mates, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters (eg David and Jonathan) 2. Lateral- mates, friends, colleagues, brothers and sisters (eg David and Jonathan)

3. Downward- minors, mentees (eg Eli and Samuel) 3. Downward- minors, mentees (eg Eli and Samuel)

WHO SHOULDN'T BE MY ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER? WHO SHOULDN'T BE MY ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER?

1. Someone whom I am (just) most comfortable with. 2. Someone who will make me comfortable with 1. Someone whom I am (just) most comfortable with. 2. Someone who will make me comfortable with
sin. 3. Someone of the opposite sex sin. 3. Someone of the opposite sex

WHO CAN BE MY ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER? WHO CAN BE MY ACCOUNTABILITY PARTNER?

Your accountability partner must be someone who: Your accountability partner must be someone who:

1. Is godly 2. Desires more of God like you do 3. Takes God's word seriously. 4. Is able to gently chal- 1. Is godly 2. Desires more of God like you do 3. Takes God's word seriously. 4. Is able to gently chal-
lenge you- not just relate to your sin lenge you- not just relate to your sin

COMMON MISTAKES IN ACCOUNTABILITY DISCUSSIONS COMMON MISTAKES IN ACCOUNTABILITY DISCUSSIONS

1. General confession. 2. Confusing confession with repentance 3. Offering sympathy but no challenge 1. General confession. 2. Confusing confession with repentance 3. Offering sympathy but no challenge
4. Confession with no follow up 5. Delayed confessions 4. Confession with no follow up 5. Delayed confessions

WHAT TO DO/DISCUSS IN ACCOUNTABILTY RELATIONSHIPS WHAT TO DO/DISCUSS IN ACCOUNTABILTY RELATIONSHIPS

1. Be specific 2. Make a conscious effort to repent when you sin 3. Meet as often as possible to chal- 1. Be specific 2. Make a conscious effort to repent when you sin 3. Meet as often as possible to chal-
lenge each other to pursue God daily 4. Follow up consistently by asking questions such as, "How did lenge each other to pursue God daily 4. Follow up consistently by asking questions such as, "How did
you do guarding your eyes at lectures today?", "Did you watch porn this week?", "Which scripture did you do guarding your eyes at lectures today?", "Did you watch porn this week?", "Which scripture did
you memorize today?" etc you memorize today?" etc

CONCLUSION CONCLUSION

God has given us such an amazing opportunity to fellowship with one another and help each other to God has given us such an amazing opportunity to fellowship with one another and help each other to
grow in him. Why don't you use it before it's too late? God bless you!! grow in him. Why don't you use it before it's too late? God bless you!!