Kingdom Living: Accountability

ac·count·a·bil·i·ty/əˌkoun(t)əˈbilədē/noun

the fact or condition of being accountable; responsibility.

A Person who is completely responsible for what they do and must be able to give a satisfactory reason for it.

Proverbs 27:17 HCSB

17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Galatians 6:1–2 HCSB

1 Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted. 2 Carry one another’s burdens; in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Hebrews 10:24–25 HCSB

24 And let us be concerned about one another in order to promote love and good works, 25 not staying away from our worship meetings, as some habitually do, but encouraging each other, and all the more as you see the day drawing near.

Everyone wants community, but no one wants accountability

Everyone wants community

We are created for relationship

Trinity What was God doing before the creation of the world. Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

True community comes with challenge.

Being in a gym doesn’t build muscle. You have to use the equipment.

Being in community is good but to be shaped by community it takes effort.

Few want accountability

Accountability is often misunderstood. It’s not about policing, it’s about partnering for Spiritual growth

Most people don’t resist community they resist correction

Coaching baseball every time I corrected it sent the message they they sucked. I said actually I am trying to make you better. I want to be better and if a coach does not correct you then they believe you don’t have potential to get better.

“You can’t grow without friction, and you can’t be sharpened without being struck.”

3. What real accountability looks like

Loving – Not shaming, but restoring (Gal. 6:1).

Consistent – Not once-a-year check-ins, but regular relationships.

Mutual – It’s not just one person holding another accountable, but both committed to growth.

Christ-centered – It’s not about being better—it’s about becoming more like Jesus

Matthew 17:14–19 HCSB

14 When they reached the crowd, a man approached and knelt down before Him. 15 “Lord,” he said, “have mercy on my son, because he has seizures and suffers severely. He often falls into the fire and often into the water. 16 I brought him to Your disciples, but they couldn’t heal him.” 17 Jesus replied, “You unbelieving and rebellious generation! How long will I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring him here to Me.” 18 Then Jesus rebuked the demon, and it came out of him, and from that moment the boy was healed. 19 Then the disciples approached Jesus privately and said, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?”

Matthew 6:29–34 HCSB

29 Yet I tell you that not even Solomon in all his splendor was adorned like one of these! 30 If that’s how God clothes the grass of the field, which is here today and thrown into the furnace tomorrow, won’t He do much more for you—you of little faith? 31 So don’t worry, saying, ‘What will we eat?’ or ‘What will we drink?’ or ‘What will we wear?’ 32 For the idolaters eagerly seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be provided for you. 34 Therefore don’t worry about tomorrow, because tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.

Matthew 14:22–33 HCSB

22 Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds. 23 After dismissing the crowds, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray. When evening came, He was there alone. 24 But the boat was already over a mile from land, battered by the waves, because the wind was against them. 25 Around three in the morning, He came toward them walking on the sea. 26 When the disciples saw Him walking on the sea, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost!” they said, and cried out in fear. 27 Immediately Jesus spoke to them. “Have courage! It is I. Don’t be afraid.” 28 “Lord, if it’s You,” Peter answered Him, “command me to come to You on the water.” 29 “Come!” He said. And climbing out of the boat, Peter started walking on the water and came toward Jesus. 30 But when he saw the strength of the wind, he was afraid. And beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me!” 31 Immediately Jesus reached out His hand, caught hold of him, and said to him, “You of little faith, why did you doubt?” 32 When they got into the boat, the wind ceased. 33 Then those in the boat worshiped Him and said, “Truly You are the Son of God!”

Matthew 17:20–21 HCSB

20 “Because of your little faith,” He told them. “For I assure you: If you have faith the size of a mustard seed, you will tell this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you. 21 [However, this kind does not come out except by prayer and fasting.]”

Matthew 23:15 HCSB

15 “Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to make one proselyte, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as fit for hell as you are!

Use the "3-2-1 Feedback Model":

3 Encouragements – What went well?

2 Suggestions – What could be improved?

1 Accountability Question – “What’s one area you want to grow in before next time?”