Accountability Groups

Thursday July 16, 2009 ~ 29 Comments

Cathy Grossman and USAToday writes about christian accountability groups. You can read the whole article here.

It begins with:

Does the Capitol Hill house on C Street -- home to several congressmen although it eludes property taxes by being listed as a church -- give prayer "accountability" groups a bad name? Should elected officials seek God in secrecy while hiding sins from public scrutiny?

The fact that such a group exists in Washington, D.C., combined with recent news about participants, makes it national news.

She explains what these groups are all about:

But millions of men and women belong to small prayer and accountability groups where they read and discuss Scripture together and hold each other to truthful living in God's name. Remember Promise Keepers, the men's group that hit a popularity peak in the 90's? It stressed accountability groups heavily and even if PK no longer packs stadiums for rallies, many of those small groups continue to enriching lives.

The question that Cathy address deals with secrecy in such groups and the honesty required. I explained, "Accountability groups are only as good as the truthfulness of their participants."

Cathy linked to my blog on accountability groups and questions. That blog is here. The USAToday story is here.

Here is the text of the blog to which the story refers:

-------------------------------------------

These lists are from Cultivating a Life for God (Church Smart Resources 1999 pp.125-131).

Typically, these questions are asked in groups of 2-3, are specific to men or women, meets regularly, and hold each other accountable.

John Wesley's Small Group Questions:

1. Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

2. Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

3. Do I confidentially pass onto another what was told me in confidence?

4. Am I a slave to dress, friends, work , or habits?

5. Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

6. Did the Bible live in me today?

7. Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

8. Am I enjoying prayer?

9. When did I last speak to someone about my faith?

10. Do I pray about the money I spend?

11. Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

12. Do I disobey God in anything?

13. Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

14. Am I defeated in any part of my life?

15. Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy or distrustful?

16. How do I spend my spare time?

17. Am I proud?

18. Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisee who despised the publican?

19. Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I going to do about it?

20. Do I grumble and complain constantly?

21. Is Christ real to me?

Wesley's Band Meeting Questions:

1. What known sins have you committed since our last meeting?

2. What temptations have you met with?

3. How were you delivered?

4. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you doubt whether it be sin or not?

5. Have you nothing you desire to keep secret?

Reference: John Wesley's Class Meetings: a Model for Making Disciples, by D. Michael Henderson, Evangel Publishing House, 1997, pp. 118-9

Chuck Swindoll's Pastoral Accountability Questions:

In his book, The Body, Chuck Colson lists the questions used by Chuck Swindoll.

1. Have you been with a woman anywhere this past week that might be seen as compromising?

2. Have any of your financial dealings lacked integrity?

3. Have you exposed yourself to any sexually explicit material?

4. Have you spent adequate time in Bible study and prayer?

5. Have you given priority time to your family?

6. Have you fulfilled the mandates of your calling?

7. Have you just lied to me?

Neil Cole:

1. What is the condition of your soul?

2. What sin do you need to confess?

3. What have you held back from God that you need to surrender?

4. Is there anything that has dampened your zeal for Christ?

5. Who have you talked with about Christ this week?

HT: Journey

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The questions I use are from these cards from Church Multiplication Associates. I keep one in my Bible.

The ten questions are as follows:

1. Have you been a testimony this week to the greatness of Jesus Christ with both your words and actions?

2. Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate thoughts about someone who is not your spouse this week?

3. Have you lacked any integrity in your financial dealings this week, or coveted something that does not belong to you?

4. Have you been honoring, understanding and generous in your important relationships this past week?

5. Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?

6. Have you given in to an addictive behavior this week? Explain.

7. Have you continued to remain angry toward another?

8. Have you secretly wished for another's misfortune so that you might excel?

9. Did you finish your reading this week and hear from the Lord? What are you going to do about it?

10. Have you been completely honest with me?

Posted on July 16, 2009 at 7:20 PM ~ 29 Comments

Tagged with: politics, small groups, usa today

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29 Comments

By Stephen Bateman on July 17, 2009 9:15 AM

Wow thanks for this. Congressmen certainly shouldn't be discouraged from meeting for accountability.

How I wish my governor, Mark Sanford, could've had the accountability he needed.

By Brent Hobbs on July 17, 2009 9:27 AM

That list of questions from Wesley is great. I'll be saving that for future use. Thanks, Ed.

By Daniel on July 17, 2009 11:15 AM

Hypocrisy and secrecy destroy small group accountability.
Your post is a wake up call.

By Mike Licht on July 18, 2009 11:51 PM

There's nothing sinister about the C Street Fellowship. The group just believes that "love thy neighbor" trumps the Ten Commandments if you're rich, white, male and Republican.

See:

http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/07/18/c-street-sex-scandal

By Allen Krell on July 21, 2009 7:35 AM

A question I had on these lists. The 21 question list titled "John Wesley's Small Group Questions" is on many websites, but I can't find the original reference. Is it really a list from Wesley or is it Neil Cole's list based on Wesley ideas?

By John L on July 21, 2009 2:11 PM

While accountability is essential, I wonder if we're holding others accountable to the wrong ideals?

Many of the "moralisms" on these lists represent a faith and salvation based on performance, good works, being a good person, etc..

In almost all cases, any non-Christian (think Islamic, Jew, Buddhist, ethical atheist, etc.) can fulfill the "duties" on these lists.

We have it backwards. I propose that we abandon our religions of good works, becoming instead a living temple of the Spirit that compels us to right living, rather than "living right" in order to fulfill some list of legal requirements.

By Ed Stetzer

on July 21, 2009 2:55 PM

Mike, I don't know anyone in the C Street group, but that is a rather uncharitable description based on the mistakes of a few.

People struggle and fall. I am glad that as a "white male" I can share my struggles with friends who help me through. I hope leaders of congress can do the same.

Allen, I believe it is from Wesley but I do not have the original source.

John, I am not afraid of being help accountable for living out who I am in Christ. Ephesians 1-3 lay out who I am, but 4-6 flesh it out every day. I am glad to have people in my life who hold me accountable for both.

By Glenn Smith on July 23, 2009 8:01 AM

Great words Ed (as always). Provocative, challenging, and extremely relevant! Thanks.

By Ben Cotten on July 29, 2009 9:25 AM

This is great stuff, Ed. I think most of us that come from the more Calvinist side of things tend to focus only on our Justification and neglect the process of Sanctification.

We are to be growing to be more like Christ every day. This means making war on our sin. Unless I'm the only one who is justified but still sins, I think we all need the benefits of true, open, Christ-centered community.

I think direct questions like these help us to stop playing games with our pet sin and begin taking it seriously.

By Bob on July 29, 2009 10:10 AM

Found the Wesley reference for the questions...

They were published in the Works of John Wesley, specifically in "A Collection of Forms of Prayer" first printed in 1733.

That reference actually lists 49 questions that Wesley asked as he included them in a week-long prayer guide.

See Works of John Wesley, Vol. 11, Baker Book House, 1996, pp. 203-237 (reprinted from the 1872 edition).

By Daniel on July 29, 2009 10:15 AM

I just learned about "The Family" and the house on C Street for the first time a few weeks ago. From what I can tell, it is a heretical cult group. They were founded based on a belief that all Christian groups had gotten it wrong, and they are against the idea of church. This is a really interesting interview about it from NPR: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=106115324

But regarding the actual content of your post, I really appreciate the question lists. These are very helpful.

By Tom Cabral on July 29, 2009 12:01 PM

John,
I'm asssuming we're talking of Christians wanting to be holy. If we get enough teaching from BOTH the gospels and the epistles, we'll all see that Christianity is not just being,and thinking but doing,and loving. The Holy Spirit can take a simple moral question and probe deep into the spiritual man and convict him of sin. I need to be constanly reminded of doing, because naturally I want to point the finger.

By Ed Stetzer on July 29, 2009 11:36 PM

Daniel,

I know of no one who is calling this a group a cult-- except you, of course. ;-)

I let your comment stay because I hate to edit comments, but let it be clear that is not what most are saying.

By Kevin Shorter on July 31, 2009 12:59 PM

Ed, this is great compilation. I have found that many of today's accountability groups have been more about sin maintenance than loving God and others. Christians have been too afraid of their "sins" that the work harder to stop them rather than seeking God in what is the real heart issue. Sins are really a gift of God that reveals areas in our lives that have not had the touch of Jesus. Accountability groups need to spend more time in reminding each other of who we are in Christ. We are a holy priesthood. Called by God to do good works. Blessed in the heavenly realms with every spiritual blessing in Christ. Saints. Co-heirs with Christ. When we have a mistaken view of who we are, than we will naturally go back to the mud pies.

By Dennis Muse on August 13, 2009 8:21 AM

Great list Ed, this should be posted in every Church bulletin, every week. This should be how Christians address each other. Not with the worldly vain words.

By Jacob on August 13, 2009 10:12 AM

Very good Ed, I really need to use these questions in my personal prayer time to meditate on. And Kevin, I don't think that sins are a gift of God, but rather the revealing of sins and the conviction that God brings are the true gift.

Blessings,

-Jacob

By pastor floyd mckeever on September 6, 2009 12:00 AM

i am a pastor and i have found myself realizing that questions need to be asked so that we can respond to them identify the problem and make change. i am responsible to me first before anyone else so check yourself

By Joe Sewell on October 22, 2009 12:10 PM

I've always had one big problem with "accountability" in this sense: I'm accountable to God already. I realize He sees what I'm doing. Why do I need additional mileage on my guilt trip from someone else? (And, yes, "accountability" for me has always been a negative thing.)

By Ed M on October 22, 2009 1:12 PM

Joe,

James 5:16 If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. 16Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

17Elijah was a man just like us. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18Again he prayed, and the heavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19My brothers, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone should bring him back, 20remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of his way will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

By Barton Ramsey on October 22, 2009 2:10 PM

Ed,

First, great blog. It is always edifying to see the discipleship processes of great Christian men who have gone before me, or walk beside me. Thanks for posting these questions, we will add to/edit our accountability style because of this!

Second, I am a little surprised to see some of the resistance to this post. I hope that the new (and needed) resurgence of salvation by grace that has had much success over the "bible belt" moralistic style of Christianity does not swing too far. It seems that Christians will jump on a good thing and ride it way past where it was originally intended to go.

Great guys like Al Mohler have written awesome articles on today's church and moralism - comparing it to Paul's issue with Galatia. I would hate to see this new direction lead to a church that cares nothing of behavior. The key to getting away from an "I obey, therefore God accepts me" mentality is not "I should stop focusing on obedience"... it is to instead say "God has accepted me though I'm unworthy, therefore I should obey Him."

Calling Jesus our "king" implies His leadership and our following. Hope we don't forget that.

Last, great word from the end of James on why this type of accountability is very beneficial.

By Norman L. on October 23, 2009 7:36 AM

Joe:

Interestingly, like the "game of life" (please excuse the over used phrase) every game not only has rules but also referee's, umpires, etc. A great accountability partner/group is similar to a great referee in that they are trying to help you play the game better. Not sit there and throw flags, embarrass you and tell you were out of bounds. An accountability partner/group will see you are out of bounds, tell you about it and say that is not the way this game is played (they will also not be swayed by your attempts to rationalize your behavior either). In the same breath they will then ask you how can they help you stay in bounds next time. Accountability is not about guilt or negativity, (believe me, I was Catholic for a long time and know about guilt) it is about a person or a group of people helping each other stay on God's plan for us and I think we would all agree His plan is significantly better than our own. If an accountability partner/group gives you nothing but negativity, they need to better understand the term accountability as it relates to the Love of Christ. In my humble opinion ( - :

By Neil Cole on March 5, 2010 3:24 PM

There is also a list of questions that re John Wesley's from the groups he started at University prior to Class meetings called "The Holy Club" I believe. Some of the questions listed here may also have that as a source.

The type of accountability that transforms from within is best discovered in groups of 2-3 where it is harder to get lost in the crowd and also harder (though ot impossible) for one person to dominate all the discussion.

Both Cultivating a Life for God and Search & Rescue contain this list (with even more samples)and much more on the subject. Ed is right, ultimately, you only get from these groups what you are willing to give to it. All I can say is that I am becoming a better man because of the groups I have been part of for the last 20 years.

By Ed Stetzer

on March 5, 2010 3:34 PM

Neil,

Thanks for dropping by.

A few minutes ago, someone sent me another one from John Piper's church. You can find it here.

I was surprised at its level of details, but it is for staff.

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By Crystal Admiral on April 8, 2010 4:11 AM

Agree, Hypocrisy and secrecy destroy small group accountability.
See it as a wake up call. Thanks crystal admiral

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By Trein naar londen on June 1, 2010 5:44 AM

I'm accountable to God already. Thanks, Trein Londen

By Jonathan Dodson on March 30, 2011 9:08 AM

I've questioned some of the traditional approaches to accountability through various writings, as they can cultivate a hollow or hardened approach to discipleship that is rule-centered, keeping or breaking the rules. In the words of John Owen, we dont just need holiness, we need gospel holiness.

See my "Accountability" article with CCEF and other stuff here:

http://jonathandodson.org/resource-page/

By Christian Selvaratnam on March 30, 2011 12:48 PM

Dave Stroud had a great single question "What is it you don't want to tell me?"

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