Biblical Accountability: Mentors & Bands

Have you heard these? Do your own thing I did it my way! You are only accountable to yourself and your own self- fulfilment

Discussion What is Biblical Accountability? Form groups of 3s Introduce yourself and discuss [take 10 minutes]

What it is NOT Accountability, p Accountability is not about:  coercive tactics  invasion of privacy  bringing others under the weight of someone's taboos  legalism  manipulative or dominating tactics

What it IS Accountability, p 2 …by accountability we mean developing relationships with other Christians that help to promote spiritual reality, honesty, obedience to God, & genuine evaluations of one’s walk & relationship with God & with others.

Necessity Accountability, p 2-3   Essential for life in community  Helps promote Christian discipline & spiritual support  Checks our tendency to go astray  Protects leaders & members

Justification Accountability, pp 3-5 We must give account to God Matthew 12:36 Submit to leaders / Warn, encourage, help Hebrews 13:17 / I Thessalonians 5:12-14 Submit to one another Ephesians 5:21

Biblical Models Accountability, p 5  Mentor: Barnabas – Paul – Timothy & Titus  Church leaders & their flock  Husband & wife  Band: - Jesus with Peter, James & John - Father, Son & Holy Spirit

Wesley’s Bands   Smaller groups (3-5) of same gender  Shared -- true state of their soul with each other -- faults committed by thought, word or deed, & temptations faced (James 5:16)

Practice in 3s (take 15 minutes) Share one joy or one concern Pray for each one who shares

Suggestion for Bands friends meeting for 2 hours once a month

Disciplines & Components Tan Soo Inn, ch 5-7 Listen – Share – Discern Meals – Conversations – Discernment Maybe: Confession–Decision-making–Vocational discernment

Meeting-up Tan Soo Inn, ch 8   Eat together  Connect – Joy / Thanksgiving – Concern / Prayer need  Pray after each person shares  Arrange next meeting

Starting a Band I Tan Soo Inn, ch 9   Pray for God’s guidance  Start with Core Team  Work out a plan  Introduce idea to SG & pray  SG decides to try, & each to pray for possible Band members

Starting a Band II Tan Soo Inn, ch 9   Members give SGL their preference of Band members  SGL / Core Team form the Bands, & look after those left out  It’s ok if some don’t want to join  SG to review after a year

Possible Plan Tan Soo Inn, ch 9  Try for one year  Groups of 3, same gender  Set frequency of meetings  Think of persons who might fit  SGL / Core Team may form Band with those who can’t find Band

Seeking a Mentor   Pray for God’s guidance  Speak with PCZL or PTM  Come up with goals  Discern with PCZL / PTM  Meet mentor & share goals  Agree to meet for a year & review

Questions & Answers