Takehomemessage1

Accountabilityisafocusonhowwecandefeatsin.Itsnotjustaconfessionofhowmuchof
abadsinneryouvebeen.3mainareasareaddressinginternal(orheart)issues,practically
managingtriggersandthebehaviour,andpursuingrightlivingkeepinginmindthejoyand
freedomitbrings.

Intro/Context
Whenweweregivenanewlifethroughsalvationweweregivenanewdirectionandaimin
life.Theaimoftheredeemedlifeisnottonotsin.Notjusttohaveacleanslate.Notjustto
beagoodboywithagoodbehaviourrecord.Itsmuchmoremeaningfulthanthat.Itsto
experiencelifetothefullandallthejoyitbrings.

Habitualsinse.g.lust/pornography,gambling,beinghottemperedetc.,theyleaveus
feelingemptyandstealsthatjoyfromus.Whatsmoretheycantrickusintothinkingthatin
ordertofeelanyjoyweshouldindulgemore.

AllofusincludingGodknowsthatgainingvictoryoverstrongholdsaloneisnearimpossible.
Aseriousdesiretodefeatsinandgainheadwayrequiresintentionalmeetupswithother
menforthisreason.Thisisaccountability.

Observation(world)themyths

Therearemythsthatsurroundaccountabilityandmakeithard,confusingandoutright
avoidable.TheworldsideaofChristianaccountabilityintheworlddoesnthelpatall.

ThemainmythIvefoundisthatitsallabouttheconfession.Youhavetofaceuptoan
interrogationaboutyoursin.Thisdoesnthelp,becauseyoueitherbetotallyhonestandfeel
awful,orfeeluncomfortableandlie.Noneofthishelpswithgrowth.ItalsoleavesGods
forgivenessandempowermentoutofthepicture.Itproduceslegalism.

GodlyTruth

Accountabilityisawayofseeinggrowthandvictoryinaparticularareathroughteamwork
andsharing.Itisinpartconfession,butitissomuchmorethanthat.Itsworkingtogetherto
gettheheartright,andrememberGodsforgivenessandempowermentinternally,aswellas
externallydealingwithtriggers,puttingpracticalpreventativemeasuresandsafeguardsin
place.

WegottamendtheheartwiththeGospel.WhatisGodtryingtotellyourmatethroughyou?
Speakingthetruthtohimshowshimyouareonhisside,thatyoudontcondemnhimand
youllbeobeyingGodandservingyourbrother.


Reallifeexample
Whatsyourexperienceofgoodandbadaccountability?

Practicalsteps
Meetwithsomeonewhoisseriousinhiswalkandwhoyoucantalkto.Meetupintentionally
andregularly.Speakupfirst,andbehonest.Agreeaboutwhatareayoubothwanttosee
growthandjustgoforit.

Talkaboutthepast:
Breakdownthestruggleswithoutblame.Whatarethereasonsitgotthatfar?Focusonthe
heartnotthebehaviour.

Thepresent:
ShareforgivenessandGodsgracewhichremovesthegripofsin.
RemindhimofwhoheisinChrist,andtheprovisionGodhasforhimtobattleinthisarea
andthehopeofvictory.
Askwhathehastogaininlifebyvictoryinthisarea?Reinforcethemotivation.

Practicalfuturesteps:
Talktriggersandhabitskeepaccountabletothesethings
HowcanIchallengeyou?HowcanIsupportyou?
Whatareyoudoingtoenjoylifeinstead?
Whatareyoupassionateaboutinthecomingweeks,months,oryear?Howitisgoing?

Pray:
Overtheheart,Godsforgiveness,strengtheningandaffirmation
Overthesin,triggers,overpreventativemeasures.
Overfuturepositivegrowthandexperiencingthe

Sharing/Discussionquestions
Whats1or2areasyoucoulduseaccountabilityin?