The Discovery: Exploring God’s Call On Your Life Sample

“The Responsibility: Why do I need accountability?” To be accountable to someone is to give that person the right to hold you responsible for your words, actions, and even your thoughts. Accountability is not comfortable, but is extremely beneficial. Sometimes, God uses our Christian brothers and sisters to confront us about sin in our lives either through their words or in their living a Christ-like example in front of us. For some reason, the thought of answering to a flesh-and-bone representative of God can elicit a greater response from us than the mental and/or emotional awareness of God’s constant presence. Believers need the kind of accountability found through relationships within the church. In fact, much of the New Testament is made up of letters written by Paul to young churches, encouraging them, but also correcting them when necessary, reminding them that they must answer to God and to Him, as God’s representative, for their actions. Mature believers seek accountability. They understand their human limitations and the value of answering to another believer or believers. Because they value God and His purposes above their own, they are willing to sacrifice their pride and ask others to help them improve in various areas of their lives. As you seek to be obedient to God’s call on your life, it is important that you have a source of accountability. First, you must be accountable to a local body of believers. If you are not a member of a local church, be about the business of finding the local body of believers that God wants you to join. Second, assume an attitude of submission toward the appointed spiritual leadership within your church, allowing the Holy Spirit to help you discern whether or not the direction and/or words of constructive criticism that you receive from them are actually from God. Third, among your Christian peers, find an accountability partner or group and meet with them on a consistent, regular basis. You can find the “Peer Accountability Guide” online at skopos.org. Follow the link in the plan overview. This will provide ideas for finding and planning a consistent accountability time. However, never allow an accountability relationship to become a crutch or a replacement for the Holy Spirit in your life. People are not perfect; God is. Always maintain your personal relationship with Him in such a way that the Holy Spirit can speak clearly to you one-on-one. Respond to the following in your journal: What did you learn through Bible study today? How were you encouraged? How were you challenged?