Question 1

How do I become more accountable?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 23:24“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.Taking accountability seriously begins with God. We will better understand what we are doing and why we are doing it when we understand whom we are doing it for. He knows all the secrets of our hearts anyway, so why try to hide anything from him? God longs for an honest relationship with us. We can talk with him about the struggles we have in following him.Deuteronomy 6:6-9“And you must commit yourselves wholeheartedly to these commands that I am giving you today. Repeat them again and again to your children. Talk about them when you are at home and when you are on the road, when you are going to bed and when you are getting up. Tie them to your hands and wear them on your forehead as reminders. Write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates.”Knowing and reminding each other of God’s Word helps keep us accountable.1 Thessalonians 5:11So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.Hebrews 3:13You must warn each other every day, while it is still “today,” so that none of you will be deceived by sin and hardened against God.Hebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.Encouraging each other in our daily lives is a powerful means of accountability.Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.Psalm 119:9, 66How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word . . . I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.2 Timothy 3:16-17All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work.To become more accountable, follow God’s commands as outlined in his Word, the Bible.2 Samuel 12:1-13So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. . . . One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” . . . David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. . . . Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. . . .” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.We should purposefully choose wise friends who will hold us accountable. Their honesty may hurt at times, but can save us from greater pain down the road.Proverbs 5:13Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.Part of being accountable is being a good listener and observer. We can learn much about our own behavior by observing others and listening to wise friends whom we respect.1 Corinthians 11:2I am so glad that you always keep me in your thoughts, and that you are following the teachings I passed on to you.1 Corinthians 11:24-25Then he [Jesus] broke it in pieces and said, “This is my body, which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me.” In the same way, he took the cup of wine after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant between God and his people—an agreement confirmed with my blood. Do this in remembrance of me as often as you drink it.”Traditions can provide accountability—a consistent reminder of truth. Jesus began the tradition of the Lord’s Supper to remind us of his life-giving sacrifice for us.Exodus 34:27Then the Lord said to Moses, “Write down all these instructions, for they represent the terms of the covenant I am making with you and with Israel.”Deuteronomy 6:12“Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt.”Deuteronomy 27:8“You must clearly write all these instructions on the stones coated with plaster.”Isaiah 30:8-9Now go and write down these words. Write them in a book. They will stand until the end of time as a witness that these people are stubborn rebels who refuse to pay attention to the Lord’s instructions.Luke 1:46-49Mary responded, “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior! For he took notice of his lowly servant girl, and from now on all generations will call me blessed. For the Mighty One is holy, and he has done great things for me.”Luke 2:19Mary kept all these things in her heart and thought about them often.Reflecting on—and even writing down—important moments and insights along our spiritual journey can help hold us accountable in the future. When we are reminded of God’s faithfulness in the past, we can more confidently obey him in the future. When we are reminded of how much he has shown his love for us, we can more passionately love him back.

Question 2

Why is accountability so important?

Accepted Answer

Malachi 1:7-8“You have shown contempt by offering defiled sacrifices on my altar. Then you ask, ‘How have we defiled the sacrifices?’ You defile them by saying the altar of the Lord deserves no respect. When you give blind animals as sacrifices, isn’t that wrong? And isn’t it wrong to offer animals that are crippled and diseased? Try giving gifts like that to your governor, and see how pleased he is!” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies.John 2:16Then, going over to the people who sold doves, he told them, “Get these things out of here. Stop turning my Father’s house into a marketplace!”James 2:1-4My dear brothers and sisters, how can you claim to have faith in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ if you favor some people over others? For example, suppose someone comes into your meeting dressed in fancy clothes and expensive jewelry, and another comes in who is poor and dressed in dirty clothes. If you give special attention and a good seat to the rich person, but you say to the poor one, “You can stand over there, or else sit on the floor”—well, doesn’t this discrimination show that your judgments are guided by evil motives?Without accountability, even our worship of God can become corrupt.Ecclesiastes 4:9-12Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble. Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone? A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.A person standing alone against the world is vulnerable. We need mutual support and companionship. Relying on the convictions of the Holy Spirit and the guidance of God’s Word is a powerful encouragement, but God also provides us with human support through the community of faith and Christian friendships. Interweaving our own resolve with the support of God and others creates a triple-braided cord of accountability.Proverbs 12:15Fools think their own way is right, but the wise listen to others.Good advisers keep us from actions that can hurt us and others.Matthew 2:16-18Herod was furious when he realized that the wise men had outwitted him. He sent soldiers to kill all the boys in and around Bethlehem who were two years old and under, based on the wise men’s report of the star’s first appearance. Herod’s brutal action fulfilled what God had spoken through the prophet Jeremiah: “A cry was heard in Ramah—weeping and great mourning. Rachel weeps for her children, refusing to be comforted, for they are dead.”Lack of accountability in leadership allows leaders to make destructive decisions that are self-serving. Accountable leaders must always get significant input before making decisions that deeply affect the people under their care.Luke 17:10“When you obey me you should say, ‘We are unworthy servants who have simply done our duty.’”John 1:26-27John told them, “I baptize with water, but right here in the crowd is someone you do not recognize. Though his ministry follows mine, I’m not even worthy to be his slave and untie the straps of his sandal.”When we declare our accountability to Jesus, humility and focus are easier to maintain.

Question 3

What happens when there is no accountability?

Accepted Answer

Judges 17:6All the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.Genesis 16:6Abram replied, “Look, she is your servant, so deal with her as you see fit.” Then Sarai treated Hagar so harshly that she finally ran away.Isaiah 47:8“Listen to this, you pleasure-loving kingdom, living at ease and feeling secure. You say, ‘I am the only one, and there is no other. I will never be a widow or lose my children.’”Left unaccountable, we will always lean toward sin, the consequences of which eventually draw us away from God and cause suffering for us and others.1 Samuel 13:11-13Saul replied, “I saw . . . you didn’t arrive when you said you would . . So I felt compelled to offer the burnt offering myself before you came.” “How foolish!” Samuel exclaimed. “You have not kept the command the Lord your God gave you. Had you kept it, the Lord would have established your kingdom over Israel forever.”Acts 18:24-26Meanwhile, a Jew named Apollos, an eloquent speaker who knew the Scriptures well, had arrived in Ephesus from Alexandria in Egypt. He had been taught the way of the Lord, and he taught others about Jesus with an enthusiastic spirit and with accuracy. However, he knew only about John’s baptism. When Priscilla and Aquila heard him preaching boldly in the synagogue, they took him aside and explained the way of God even more accurately.Even those trying to do good need accountability. Sometimes our own good intentions can be sabotaged by wrong information or even by our enthusiasm.

Question 4

How can I choose the right people to hold me accountable?

Accepted Answer

1 Kings 12:8-11Rehoboam rejected the advice of the older men and instead asked the opinion of the young men who had grown up with him . . . The young men replied, “This is what you should tell those complainers who want a lighter burden: ‘My little finger is thicker than my father’s waist! Yes, my father laid heavy burdens on you, but I’m going to make them even heavier!Not all friends are good advisers, especially if their counsel is not consistent with God’s Word.Psalm 1:1Oh, the joys of those who do not follow the advice of the wicked, or stand around with sinners, or join in with mockers.Proverbs 27:6Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.1 Corinthians 12:8To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge.Seek out friends who are especially wise, godly, and honest. Pray for God to send friends who will not hesitate to speak the truth in love.Proverbs 13:17An unreliable messenger stumbles into trouble, but a reliable messenger brings healing.Proverbs 25:19Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot.It is critical that those we expect to keep us accountable are reliable.

Question 5

How can I effectively hold someone else accountable?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 18:21-24“But select from all the people some capable, honest men who fear God and hate bribes . . . They will help you carry the load, making the task easier for you.”Psalm 19:11They are a warning to your servant, a great reward for those who obey them.Psalm 119:9How can a young person stay pure? By obeying your word.Psalm 119:66I believe in your commands; now teach me good judgment and knowledge.Titus 1:6-9He [a leader] must not be arrogant or quick-tempered . . . He must live wisely and be just. He must live a devout and disciplined life.Before we can help others be accountable, we must not only know God’s commands but consistently obey them and always work to develop good judgment. If we are going to minister to others by holding them accountable, we must be wise, honest, godly, trustworthy, and kind.Acts 17:10-12That very night the believers sent Paul and Silas to Berea. When they arrived there, they went to the Jewish synagogue. And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth. As a result, many Jews believed, as did many of the prominent Greek women and men.Ephesians 4:14-16Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Teachers need to be accountable to the truth of the Scriptures. If we suspect someone’s understanding may be flawed, we should search the Scriptures ourselves, then respectfully speak the truth in love.Exodus 39:42-43So the people of Israel followed all of the Lord’s instructions to Moses. Then Moses inspected all their work. When he found it had been done just as the Lord had commanded him, he blessed them.Those in positions of leadership are held accountable for the work of others. Inspection and evaluation are necessary accountability tools for the people who report to them.Matthew 18:15“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”Luke 17:3“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”Ephesians 4:15-16We will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.James 5:19-20My dear brothers and sisters, if someone among you wanders away from the truth and is brought back, you can be sure that whoever brings the sinner back from wandering will save that person from death and bring about the forgiveness of many sins.The purpose of accountability is not to criticize or complain about others, but to speak the truth in love, to lift them up when they stumble, and to point them back to their loving heavenly Father.Deuteronomy 8:5“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.”Matthew 18:15-17“If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back. But if you are unsuccessful, take one or two others with you and go back again, so that everything you say may be confirmed by two or three witnesses. If the person still refuses to listen, take your case to the church. Then if he or she won’t accept the church’s decision, treat that person as a pagan or a corrupt tax collector.”1 Corinthians 5:12It isn’t my responsibility to judge outsiders, but it certainly is your responsibility to judge those inside the church who are sinning.Hebrews 12:6-7“For the Lord disciplines those he loves, and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”God uses loving discipline to hold us accountable, and many of us who are leaders have a responsibility to follow that example. Parents must discipline children, bosses must discipline employees, and church leaders must discipline unrepentant sin within the church. Such discipline should always stem from a desire to help others grow, not out of some misguided desire for power or control. While some of us have greater responsibilities in this area than others, each of us can encourage one another to learn from and grow through discipline.James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.Confession and prayer are powerful tools in accountability, both in our own lives and for helping others.

Question 6

Why is it important to be part of a group of Christians for accountability?

Accepted Answer

Mark 6:7He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two, giving them authority to cast out evil spirits.Acts 4:32-34All the believers were united in heart and mind. And they felt that what they owned was not their own, so they shared everything they had . . . There were no needy people among them, because those who owned land or houses would sell them.Acts 13:2-4One day as these men were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Appoint Barnabas and Saul for the special work to which I have called them.” So after more fasting and prayer, the men laid their hands on them and sent them on their way. So Barnabas and Saul were sent out by the Holy Spirit. They went down to the seaport of Seleucia and then sailed for the island of Cyprus.Ephesians 4:15-16Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.Communities of believers share life and responsibilities, gaining strength from their mutual encouragement and accountability. The different gifts and experiences of each member compliment the others and provide balance and support in practical ways.Luke 17:3“So watch yourselves! If another believer sins, rebuke that person; then if there is repentance, forgive.”Hebrews 10:24-25Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.We need other Christians to hold us accountable. When we are headed in the wrong direction, other Christians can encourage us to follow God’s way.Psalm 116:14I will keep my promises to the Lord in the presence of all his people.Keeping our promises to God is easier with the accountability help of a friend.

Question 7

Does God really hold me accountable for all my actions?

Accepted Answer

Jeremiah 23:24“Can anyone hide from me in a secret place? Am I not everywhere in all the heavens and earth?” says the Lord.Nothing is hidden from God. Each of us must answer to him for our actions. Avoiding God out of guilt or fear will not hide our sins from him or cause the guilt to disappear. God wants to free us from guilt and fear, and if we come openly and honestly to him, he will offer us true forgiveness.Ecclesiastes 11:9Young people, it’s wonderful to be young! Enjoy every minute of it. Do everything you want to do; take it all in. But remember that you must give an account to God for everything you do.Romans 2:5-6Because you are stubborn and refuse to turn from your sin, you are storing up terrible punishment for yourself. For a day of anger is coming, when God’s righteous judgment will be revealed. He will judge everyone according to what they have done.Revelation 20:12I saw the dead, both great and small, standing before God’s throne. And the books were opened, including the Book of Life. And the dead were judged according to what they had done, as recorded in the books.God wants us to enjoy life, and he delights in giving us good gifts (Matthew 7:11; James 1:17). However, God also commands us to turn away from sin and live in a way that blesses us and others. Those who ignore and reject these commands will have to explain themselves to a holy God on the Day of Judgment.Jeremiah 4:18Your own actions have brought this upon you. This punishment is bitter, piercing you to the heart!Matthew 11:29-30“Take my yoke upon you. Let me teach you, because I am humble and gentle at heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy to bear, and the burden I give you is light.”John 10:10“My purpose is to give them [my followers] a rich and satisfying life.”John 14:15“If you love me, obey my commandments.”Romans 14:7-9, 12We don’t live for ourselves or die for ourselves. If we live, it’s to honor the Lord. And if we die, it’s to honor the Lord. So whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord. Christ died and rose again for this very purpose—to be Lord both of the living and of the dead . . . Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.2 Corinthians 5:9-10So whether we are here in this body or away from this body, our goal is to please him. For we must all stand before Christ to be judged. We will each receive whatever we deserve for the good or evil we have done in this earthly body.1 John 5:3Loving God means keeping his commandments, and his commandments are not burdensome.One day we will have to give an account to God of our lives. In preparation for that, we must live in love and obedience. Living in obedience to God is not a dull, burdensome experience—it is an abundant life of joy, peace, and fulfillment. How could we claim to desire heaven if we don’t desire to live like its King?Psalm 26:2Put me on trial, Lord, and cross-examine me. Test my motives and my heart.Jeremiah 12:3As for me, Lord, you know my heart. You see me and test my thoughts.Psalm 51:10Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.While others may be able to judge our actions, only God knows our motives, thoughts, and feelings. He holds us accountable not only for what we do, but why and how we do it.

Question 8

Are leaders held to a different standard of accountability?

Accepted Answer

2 Samuel 12:1-13So the Lord sent Nathan the prophet to tell David this story: “There were two men in a certain town. One was rich, and one was poor. . . . One day a guest arrived at the home of the rich man. But instead of killing an animal from his own flock or herd, he took the poor man’s lamb and killed it and prepared it for his guest.” . . . David was furious. “As surely as the Lord lives,” he vowed, “any man who would do such a thing deserves to die! He must repay four lambs to the poor man for the one he stole and for having no pity.” Then Nathan said to David, “You are that man! The Lord, the God of Israel, says: I anointed you king of Israel and saved you from the power of Saul. . . . Why, then, have you despised the word of the Lord and done this horrible deed? For you have murdered Uriah the Hittite with the sword of the Ammonites and stolen his wife. . . .” Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin.”Leaders must be held accountable to the very highest standard. The Lord used Nathan to hold King David accountable.Jeremiah 23:1-2“What sorrow awaits the leaders of my people—the shepherds of my sheep—for they have destroyed and scattered the very ones they were expected to care for,” says the Lord. Therefore, this is what the Lord, the God of Israel, says to these shepherds: “Instead of caring for my flock and leading them to safety, you have deserted them and driven them to destruction. Now I will pour out judgment on you for the evil you have done to them.”Matthew 24:44-51“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected. A faithful, sensible servant is one to whom the master can give the responsibility of managing his other household servants and feeding them. If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant is evil and thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected, and he will cut the servant to pieces and assign him a place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.”Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.James 3:1Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.Leaders are often tempted to think they are above the rules, exempted from the standards that apply to everyone else. Consequently, they are more vulnerable to pride and temptation. When leaders give in to this kind of thinking, they lose credibility with others, and put both their work and relationships in jeopardy. Leaders are especially accountable to God because others are depending on them for direction and support.

Question 9

What can I do to reinforce obedience and keep myself from disobedience?

Accepted Answer

Mark 6:7He [Jesus] called his twelve disciples together and began sending them out two by two.Galatians 6:1-2Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself. Share each other’s burdens, and in this way obey the law of Christ.Jesus created accountability by sending his disciples out in pairs. This is a wise practice to model. We can encourage and establish relationships with others who will challenge us to maintain our standards and agree to keep a check on our conduct.Psalm 51:10-12Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me. Do not banish me from your presence, and don’t take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you.Matthew 6:24“No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and be enslaved to money.”Matthew 10:37-39“If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it.”Matthew 22:37-40Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. A second is equally important: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ The entire law and all the demands of the prophets are based on these two commandments.”John 14:15“If you love me, obey my commandments.”Philippians 3:7-8I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have discarded everything else, counting it all as garbage, so that I could gain Christ.1 John 2:15-16Do not love this world nor the things it offers you, for when you love the world, you do not have the love of the Father in you. For the world offers only a craving for physical pleasure, a craving for everything we see, and pride in our achievements and possessions. These are not from the Father, but are from this world.1 John 4:19-21We love each other because he loved us first. If someone says, “I love God,” but hates a fellow believer, that person is a liar; for if we don’t love people we can see, how can we love God, whom we cannot see? And he has given us this command: Those who love God must also love their fellow believers.Love ought to motivate our obedience. If we love God, we will desire to honor him, to please him, and to become more like him. That love will spill over into our interactions with others, for how can we love God without loving his children as well? The greatest barrier to loving and obeying God is loving something else more. It may be an attachment to a habitual sin, it may be a desire for wealth, it may be a longing for fame or prestige or even a relationship. When something else takes priority over our relationship with God, we begin treating God like a distraction or a chore, and obedience becomes a drudgery rather than a joy. If we feel joyless and distracted in our relationship with God, the first thing we should do is pray. Pray that God will fill our hearts with an overflowing love for him.

Question 10

What kinds of things am I accountable for?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 3:8“Prove by the way you live that you have repented of your sins and turned to God.”John 3:18-19“There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil.”John 3:36“And anyone who believes in God’s Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn’t obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God’s angry judgment.”Each of us is accountable for our own disobedience to God.2 Kings 12:15No accounting of this money was required from the construction supervisors, because they were honest and trustworthy men.2 Kings 22:7“But don’t require the construction supervisors to keep account of the money they receive, for they are honest and trustworthy men.”1 Timothy 3:2So a church leader must be a man whose life is above reproach. He must be faithful to his wife. He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation. He must enjoy having guests in his home, and he must be able to teach.Each of us is accountable for our own character.Proverbs 5:13Oh, why didn’t I listen to my teachers? Why didn’t I pay attention to my instructors?Each of us is accountable for our own spiritual growth.Matthew 12:36“And I tell you this, you must give an account on judgment day for every idle word you speak.”Each of us is accountable for the words we speak.Matthew 25:23“The master said, ‘Well done, my good and faithful servant. You have been faithful in handling this small amount, so now I will give you many more responsibilities. Let’s celebrate together!’”Luke 12:41-48“If the master returns and finds that the servant has done a good job, there will be a reward. I tell you the truth, the master will put that servant in charge of all he owns. But what if the servant thinks, ‘My master won’t be back for a while,’ and he begins beating the other servants, partying, and getting drunk? The master will return unannounced and unexpected. And a servant who knows what the master wants, but isn’t prepared and doesn’t carry out those instructions, will be severely punished. But someone who does not know, and then does something wrong, will be punished only lightly. When someone has been given much, much will be required in return; and when someone has been entrusted with much, even more will be required.”Each of us is accountable for the work we are given to do.Psalm 90:12Teach us to realize the brevity of life, so that we may grow in wisdom.Luke 16:11“If you are untrustworthy about worldly wealth, who will trust you with the true riches of heaven?”Ephesians 5:15-17So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.1 Timothy 6:17-19Teach those who are rich in this world not to be proud and not to trust in their money, which is so unreliable. Their trust should be in God, who richly gives us all we need for our enjoyment. Tell them to use their money to do good. They should be rich in good works and generous to those in need, always being ready to share with others. By doing this they will be storing up their treasure as a good foundation for the future so that they may experience true life.Each of us is accountable for our resources: how we spend our money, time, energy, and talents.

Question 11

In addition to God, to whom should I be accountable?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 20:12Honor your father and mother.Deuteronomy 8:5“Think about it: Just as a parent disciplines a child, the Lord your God disciplines you for your own good.”Proverbs 6:20My son, obey your father’s commands, and don’t neglect your mother’s instruction.God has set up accountability structures within our families. In our younger years, this involves respecting the guidance and advice of our parents. Then as our parents and grandparents age, we are accountable for showing them appropriate care, depending on their needs.Acts 15:4, 12When they arrived in Jerusalem, Barnabas and Paul were welcomed by the whole church, including the apostles and elders. They reported everything God had done through them . . . Everyone listened quietly as Barnabas and Paul told about the miraculous signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles.Acts 19:18Many who became believers confessed their sinful practices.James 5:16Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The earnest prayer of a righteous person has great power and produces wonderful results.We are accountable to other believers. God has given us the fellowship of the church to help and encourage us.1 Timothy 6:2-3Teach these things, Timothy, and encourage everyone to obey them. Some people may contradict our teaching, but these are the wholesome teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. These teachings promote a godly life.1 Peter 5:5In the same way, you who are younger must accept the authority of the elders. And all of you, dress yourselves in humility as you relate to one another, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”Hebrews 13:17Obey your spiritual leaders, and do what they say. Their work is to watch over your souls, and they are accountable to God. Give them reason to do this with joy and not with sorrow. That would certainly not be for your benefit.We are accountable to the pastors and leaders in our communities of faith.

Question 12

Is accountability ever a negative thing?

Accepted Answer

Acts 5:29Peter and the apostles replied, “We must obey God rather than any human authority.”Misplaced accountability can be negative. Peter knew he was accountable to God first, above all other authorities in his life. When we find ourselves answering to someone who has no respect for God, obeying God should always take priority.Acts 15:36-39After some time Paul said to Barnabas, “Let’s go back and visit each city where we previously preached the word of the Lord, to see how the new believers are doing.” Barnabas agreed and wanted to take along John Mark. But Paul disagreed strongly, since John Mark had deserted them in Pamphylia and had not continued with them in their work. Their disagreement was so sharp that they separated. Barnabas took John Mark with him and sailed for Cyprus.1 Timothy 4:11Only Luke is with me. Bring Mark with you when you come, for he will be helpful to me in my ministry.1 Peter 5:13Your sister church here in Babylon sends you greetings, and so does my son Mark.Accountability can be negative if it does not allow for forgiveness and moving forward. When holding others accountable, remember that forgiveness and grace may be even more important than discipline or punishment. Paul wanted to hold Mark accountable for his previous actions; Barnabas wanted to give him grace. Mark took this grace to heart, and served faithfully in ministry. He is credited with writing the Gospel of Mark and for serving both Paul and Peter well.