What makes for a good accountability partner?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Accountability is a word with which many of us are familiar. We speak of people being held accountable for their actions and decisions. Accountability is also something that is a very important part of our Christian lives. But why is it important for us to address and how do we choose a person to help hold us accountable? The Bible doesn't talk about "accountability partners" specifically, but it offers guidance about what to look for in another Christian who will enter into a strong, honest, vulnerable relationship with you to help you both become closer followers of Jesus. The ideal accountability partner is a person who does just that.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Old Testament does not directly speak about accountability partners, but Proverbs 27:17 says: “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” This reveals the importance of the relationships we have, and is important in considering accountability partners. Accountability partners sharpen us to grow in our faith.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Although the Bible does not talk about accountability partners, it does talk about living in community. There are numerous “one another” commands in the New Testament such as loving one another (John 13:34), building one another up (Romans 14:19), bearing one another’s burdens (Galatians 6:2), and exhorting one another (Hebrews 3:13). We cannot live out these commands alone.
• Acts 2:42–47 describes the early Christian community and how they lived intentionally together.
• Hebrews 10:24–25 encourages communal gatherings.
• Romans 12:4–5, 1 Corinthians 12:12–27, and Ephesians 4:1–6 refer to the church as a body.
• Accountability partners can more intentionally help a person in their walk with the Lord since there can be a more intimate relationship with them. There are some qualities one should look for in choosing an accountability partner. An accountability partner should be a believer with an active faith that is based on sound biblical doctrine (Titus 2:1; 2 Timothy 2:15). This person will be sharing advice based on the Bible and must be trustworthy on how they interpret Scripture (Titus 2:2–3). They should be someone who can keep confidential what is shared (Proverbs 11:13). An accountability partner should exhibit the fruit of the Holy Spirit very clearly in their lives and show wisdom through continuing to grow in their faith (John 17:17; Galatians 5:22–23; 2 Timothy 3:16–17; James 1:22–23). An accountability partner should also be someone who will encourage those around them through difficult times (Hebrews 3:13). This partner should also encourage others to continue doing good (Galatians 6:9–10; Hebrews 10:24). An accountability partner should be willing to correct if they see something that is not of God or is not in line with His Word, speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15; Colossians 4:6).
• The Bible talks about older women pouring into younger women and older men doing the same for younger men (Titus 2:2–3). This can refer to both age and maturity in the faith.

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

Accountability is important to the Christian life for many reasons. One of those reasons is that it ensures we are not going about our faith alone. It is much easier for Satan to tempt us toward sin and destruction when we are alone rather than in connection with our Christian family (1 Peter 5:8; Ecclesiastes 4:9–12). By having an accountability partner in our lives, we are, in a way, putting up protection against Satan’s attacks because we are no longer facing them alone. Accountability partners are also important because the Bible calls us to live in community. Some of these things, such as confessing sin, asking for personal support with a problem, or asking for prayer on something not widely known (Galatians 6:2; James 5:16) cannot be done with just anybody but is rather done with someone we can trust whom we know will hold us accountable and point us to Christ. Accountability is vital as it ultimately helps us grow stronger in our relationship with God and learn more about how He wants us to live as His followers.

UNDERSTAND

• Accountability partners help both people grow spiritually and live out biblical principles.
• Accountability partners maintain trust and confidentiality in their discussions.
• Accountability partners provide guidance based on Scripture and encourage each other in faith.

REFLECT

• How can having an accountability partner help you stay focused on your faith and walk with the Lord?
• How can having an accountability partner challenge you to grow in an area of your life that needs improvement?
• What personal qualities do you believe are essential for someone to be a reliable and effective accountability partner for you?

ENGAGE

• What is the importance of close relationships such as accountability partners in the Christian community?
• What biblical principles or passages support the idea of accountability partnerships? (Consider passages like Proverbs 27:17, Galatians 6:1–2, and James 5:16)
• Discuss practical strategies for finding and establishing effective accountability partnerships within your church or small group. What criteria should we use in choosing accountability partners? What role do we play in finding and maintaining accountability partners?