Accountability Relationship Hallmarks  © 1/93-6/13 WF Cobb Truthbase.net DailyTruthbase.blogspot

I. To be used by God we must walk with others   2Tim 2:21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared/equipped for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

II. If we walk with Christ we will walk with others  
Rm 12:5  so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. (cf Eph 4)
1Cor 12:25  there should be no schism in the body, but that the members should have the same care for one another.  
Rm 14:7  For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself.
Eph 4:25  Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak truth with his neighbor," for we are members of one another.

III. If we fear God we will walk wisely with each other Eph 5:21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.
1Jn 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth.
7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowshipwith one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.  8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins...

Acceptance and Affirmation Rm 15:5 Now may the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to be like-minded toward one another, according to Christ Jesus, 6  that you may with one mind and one mouth glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.7  Therefore receive/accept one another, just as Christ also received us, to the glory of God.

1) Accept one another as "people in process"IJn 3:2 Beloved, now we are children of God; it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies
2Cor 3:18 we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord

2) Affirm and Honor one another as disciples Rm 12:10  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another;11 not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord;

Commitment to Communicate in ConfidenceEph 4:29 Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God

                Communication Levels: 1) Cliche; 2) Facts; 3) Ideas & Judgments; 4) Feelings & Emotions; 5) Open Knowing        
                Barriers: 1) Rejection; 2) Passivity; 3) Pride; 4) Criticism

Counsel Choices Pr 12:15  The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But he who heeds counsel is wise.
Rm 15:14 I am confident re you, my brethren, that you also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another.
Col 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another (cf Eph 5:18 filled w/ HS)
IThess 5:14 Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, “comfort” the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all.

Objective Orientation Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, 25  not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. 26  For if we sin willfully after we have received the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins,27  but a certain fearful expectation of judgment, and fiery indignation which will devour the adversaries.

Col 1:28 Him we preach, warning every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus.
29  To this end I also labor, striving according to His working which works in me mightily.
2:2  that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding..

Understanding Motives & Motivations  Gal 6:1 Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted. 2 Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. 4 But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have rejoicing in himself alone, and not in another. 5 For each one shall bear his own load.

Note Needs and Pray Js 5:16  Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Track Targets Pr 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.
1Cor 9:24 Run in such a way that you may obtain the prize
Ecc 4:9  Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. 10  For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, For he has no one to help him up. 13 Better a poor and wise youth Than an old and foolish king who will be admonished no more.
2Cor 5:9  Therefore we make it our aim, whether present or absent, to be well pleasing to Him.
Phil 3:13  Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, 14  I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Therefore let us, as many as are mature, have this mind; and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal even this to you.

Allow Asking of Tough Questions Heb 3:12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort one another daily, while it is called "Today," lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Rm 14:12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God.
Pr 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
2Cor 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

Build Up One Another in Biblical Benchmarks1Thess 5:11 encouage each other and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Mt 28:20  "teaching them to observe/obey all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (See Discipleship Survey Profile)

Interdependence overcomes the Essense of Sin Isa 53:6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way

Love One Another as Christ has loved you Jn 13:34  "A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. 35  "By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another."
I Jn 4:7 let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. 8  He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. 11  if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 12  No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love has been perfected in us.

Inspire & Encourage Rm 15:4  For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the endurance and encouragement of the Scriptures might have hope. 5 Now may the God of patience and encouragement grant you to be like-minded toward one another… 1Thess 4:18  Therefore encourage/exhort one another with these words.
2 Cor 7:13  Therefore we have been encouraged in your encouragement. And we rejoiced exceedingly more for the joy of Titus, because his spirit has been refreshed by you all.
Heb 12:15  looking carefully lest anyone fall short of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up cause trouble, and by this many become defiled;

Transform One Another by Truthing it in Love Rm 12:1…present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service.2  And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God. 3…not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith.
Eph 415 speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head----Christ----16…causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.

Yuck it up while Yearning for Godliness 2Tim 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

To get started:
1. Prayerfully determine God's Purpose, Objectives and Goals for your life.
2. Observe and prayerfully determine who can best help you reach those goals.
3. Discuss & agree upon characteristics and groundrules of your relationship.
4. Commit to regularly scheduled meeting and intermittent phone contact.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:
1. How can an accountability relationship be used by God to help you become all He wants you to be (like Christ)? Should everyone have one?
2. Why would someone want accountability?  Why would we naturally tend to shy away from accountability?
3. How does accountability differ from friendship, mentoring, coaching, counselling, disciplemaking?
4. What are some signs that an accountability relationship isn’t working? What should  you do if you notice those signs?
5. What has been most/least helpful to you in getting the greatest benefit out of your accountability relationship(s)?