Christian Discipleship-Accountabilty

Clarifying Discipleship at Church Ablaze the past 3 weeks. In order to make disciples that follow Jesus, it will require you to be a good accountability partner. Leading another man or woman to maturity in Christ takes time, sacrifice, and patience. The essence of accountability is if you fail I fail… if you succeed I succeed. I feel with you, I cry with you, I laugh with you, I celebrate with you. I must give an account for you as if I were you and you were me. My actions are not independent but will have an effect on who I am yoked with. Accountability is a stimulant to spiritual growth and to intimacy with the Father and the Body of Christ. Here are a few attributes a good accountability partner should have:

1) Transparent…not afraid to express their weakness that God has made strong. Not appearing Holier than you really are…But being Holy as God is Holy which is through Christ’s Righteousness
a) Mat 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
b) 1Cor 15:10 But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me.
c) Phil 3:12-13 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. (13) Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

2) Patient and willing to work with someone to get to the heart of a matter-Prov 20:5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water; but a man of understanding will draw it out.

3) Able to hang in there with someone through the hard times-Prov 17:17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

4) Not fearful to go encourage someone through the tough issues. I Sam 23:16 And Jonathan Saul's son arose, and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.

5) Never expecting the same quality of friendship you give out to be returned. Your thoughts are how to help the other and the by product you will develop a good relationship
a) Pro 18:24 A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.
b) Rom 12:10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another

6) Not afraid to rebuke the person, not afraid to correct, even if it hurts, You never are concerned with the others reputation or your own.
a) Pro 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
b) Heb 3:12-13 Take heed, 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 To day; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.

7) You master the art of meekness in bringing correction or you will find yourself disqualified to help your accountability partner
a) Gal 6:1-2 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. (2) Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ.

8) Willing to give Godly counsel and receive counsel.
a) Pro 27:9 Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.
b) Psa 1:1 Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.

9) Not so prideful that you can’t be told anything
a) Jam 3:17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.
b) Pro 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

10) A person that looks to bring conviction of sin through the word versus condemnation. Also, seeks to edify versus cut down.
a) Pro 27:17 Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.
b) Joh 3:17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.
c) Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.

11) Will keep things confidential
a) Pro 11:13 A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter.

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