For the past 10 years, I have met weekly with 8 other Christian men in our neighborhood for Bible Study, prayer, and accountability.
(Photo: My group)
I recently commented on Michael Hyatt’s blog about the accountability questions our groups asks each week, and he encouraged me to blog about it. Honestly, I had never thought about that, but it makes total sense.
Too often, accountability takes on a negative slant as we picture ourselves surrounded by pointing fingers and a spotlight of condemnation.
Nothing could be further from the truth.
I want to share with you 3 benefits to having an accountability group that can help you in our Christian life.
3 Benefits to Participating in an Accountability Group
When we meet each week, the format is pretty simple. With coffee in hand, we walk through 10 accountability questions, then spend some time reading and discussing a chapter in the Bible, then we spend some time in prayer.
Here are several benefits I have discovered from participating in an accountability group.
1. Accountability brings encouragement that you’re not alone in your struggle.
Most times when someone shares something he has struggled with, a few of us immediately chime in that we have wrestled with the same issue. The conversation goes a long way to strengthen us by affirming that we’re in the fight together and none of us is alone.
No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man. —1 Cor. 10:13
The environment of our group is one of grace and support. No one condemns, and there is a healthy sense of common purpose—to be men who walk with Christ.
2. Accountability urges you to do what you really want to do.
As I go through my week, I’ve often found myself amazed at how often my friends’ faces have come to mind in moments of doubt, frustration, and temptation. They remind me of a my greater accountability, answerability, and responsibility to the Lord Jesus. (See Proverbs 28:13; James 5:16.)
Accountability to other Christians simply reflects our greater accountability to Christ. (Tweet that.)
(Photo: by Louis Batchelor. Licensed under Public domain via Wikimedia Commons)
Each of us wants to walk with God, and accountability simply urges us to do what we want to do. The body of Christ serves as a tangible representation of our greater accountability to the Lord.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy. —Prov. 27:6
3. Accountability gives you friends to support you and pray for you.
Not long ago one of the men in our group asked, “Hey, do you realize that in the 10 years we’ve met we have all stayed married to the same wives?” Seems like a silly question, but it really is profound in this day of weak commitments. We can point to the group and its encouragement as part of the reason for our commitment.
A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity. —Prov. 17:17
Through emails, text messages, and phone calls, we pray for each other in times of need. Our circle has walked through job changes, daily frustrations, relationship challenges, family deaths, serious illnesses—and other struggles.
Two are better than one . . . For if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up. —Ecc. 4:9–10
This weekly gathering has proven to be one of God’s primary instruments in making me more like His Son.
I am a better man because of these men.
Tell me what you think: What do you see as a benefit of accountability—or not? To leave a comment, just click here.
Next week, I’ll share with you the 10 accountability questions we ask each other each week.
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