As followers of Christ, it’s time for us to do our job. Our job is the Great Commission. The Lord Jesus Christ has given us a crystal-clear mandate to make disciples who make disciples. This is our main assignment, and a lost world is desperate for us to do our job.
As a disciple maker, Jesus modeled six practices with His D-Group:
- fellowship
- teaching
- prayer
- ministry
- multiplication and
- accountability.
Let’s unpack the sixth of these practices, which is accountability.
In many ways, accountability is the glue that holds it all together. It’s the engine that drives the disciple-making process.
Without accountability, it can all fall apart.
In disciple making, you must hold your group accountable in three important areas of spiritual development. It is often said that people don’t do what they are supposed to do, they do what they are held accountable to do. That is why loving spiritual accountability is a very important part of the disciple-making process.
Accountability to the Word
First, there must be accountability to the word of God. Holding your group accountable to their daily Bible reading will have a great impact on their lives. People who have never read the Bible with consistency will begin to read it daily. This alone is transformational.
Accountability in our walk
Second, there must be accountability to our walk with God. As you lead your group to read the Bible daily, be sure to ask questions that hold your group accountable to the biblical text they studied. Don’t be afraid to ask questions related to the text that are more personal in nature. In discipleship, it is important for those in your group to be real with one another.
Accountability to our witness
Third, there must be accountability to our work and witness for God. Ministry and evangelism are vital parts of the disciple-making process. You must lead your group to do missional ministry. This will not happen by accident. You must hold your group accountable to be faithful servants and witnesses for Christ.
Loving accountability is what sets a true discipleship group apart from merely a Bible study. We would all agree that Bible studies are great, but real change happens when people are open to biblical accountability.
Upcoming D-Life boot camps
Stone Ridge Baptist Church
Alexander City, Alabama
Sunday, Sept. 19
4–7:30 p.m.
Lawndale Baptist Church
Greensboro, North Carolina
Saturday, Oct. 23
9 a.m.–1 p.m.
NorthPark Baptist Church
Trussville, Alabama
Sunday, Jan. 22
9 a.m.–2 p.m.
**All times local.
