My first experience with an accountability group was over 20 years ago in my middle-school youth group. Three of us guys would get together with the youth pastor for a weekly “check-in.” Typically, my end of the conversation would go something like this:
“I had a decent week. Maybe I looked down that girl’s shirt a little longer than I should have, but it was really nothing. I’m fine. It’s all good. Let’s go play Nintendo.”
In retrospect, I can see now what we were calling an accountability group was really nothing more than a handful of guys going through a pre-planned script so we could check another item off our spiritual to-do list for the week.
We wanted to get through the boring accountability part as quickly as possible and then move on to what we we’re really there for: MarioKart.
I have a feeling my middle-school experience probably wasn’t that far off from what many of you picture when you hear the term “accountability group.” And if I’m correct in that assumption, then it’s probably safe to say most of you aren’t all that passionate about the thought of being in accountability group at all.
To be honest, I wouldn’t be excited about a group like that either.
But what if that’s not actually what an accountability group is supposed to look like?
What if there’s a deeper, more meaningful, and significantly more beneficial model of accountability available to us?
I believe there is, and it’s found in the teachings of Jesus.
Instead of a mindless routine, your group can become a life-giving time of healing and connection, but in order to experience this type of group, you will need to consider the following questions:
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