Other "Thinking Drafts" and writing by Keith Drury -- http://www.indwes.edu/tuesday .

ACCOUNTABILITY


Are you sometimes like the Kamikaze pilot who flew fifty missions? You make a commitment to start, but then don't carry through? Have you found that making commitments is a whole lot easier than keeping them? Promises are easily made -- to God, to family, to ourselves. In fact, we all could be better members of 'Promisemakers' -than 'Promisekeepers.'

But there is a secret to carrying through on our promises: an accountability relationship. Accountability is getting someone to check up on us to make sure we keep the promises we make. Meeting once a week or once a month, a small group of men or women simply lists what they want the others to check up on next time. Then when they get back together again, each member reports. It is the secret to keeping the promises we make. So, if you have trouble keeping your promises to grow spiritually, spend time with your kids, or whatever, get a small group together, and subject yourself to using the following questions in your accountability group. It will change your life!

75 Accountability Questions

__1. Have you had daily Time Alone With God since we last met?
__2. How many Days Alone With God have you taken?
__3. Have your thoughts been pure and free from lust?
__4. Have you dated your spouse every week?
__5. Have you taken a day off each week for rest and restoration?
__6. Have you had a daily debriefing time with your spouse?
__7. Is there anyone against whom you are holding a grudge?
__8. Is there any emotional attachment with someone of the opposite sex that could develop dangerously?
__9. With whom could such an attachment develop in the future?
__10. Have you given unselfishly to your mate's needs?
__11. Are there any unresolved conflicts with your mate?
__13. How often have you had family altar since we last met?
__14. How often have you shared your faith? When? What happened?
__15. How much time have you spent with your children? Doing what?
__16. Have you spread falsehoods about another -- slander?
__17. Have you repeated hurtful truth about another --gossip?
__18. Do you have any unmade restitutions?
__19. Are you discipling you child? Mate? How? When?
__20. Is your practice of journaling up to date?
__21. How much have you fasted since we last met?
__22. Have you had nightly prayers with your spouse?
__23. Report on your memorizing & meditating on scripture.
__24. How are you improving in your relationship with your mate?
__25. Is there a brother you should try to restore from sin?
__26. When did you last give a thoughtful gift to your mate?
__27. In what ways have you been tempted to be proud?
__28. How have you given to the needy since we last met?
__39. How much time have you wasted watching TV?
__30. Have you seen questionable movies, magazines, or videos?
__31. Are you completely out of installment debt?
__32. How are you avoiding materialism?
__33. Have you exaggerated or lied since we last met?
__34. Have you been able to ignore carnal, complaining, petty people?
__35. What spiritual growth books have you read since we met?
__36. Of what are you afraid? How will you defy this fear?
__37. How have you played "Team Ball" with others since we last met?
__38. Have you had a critical spirit since we met?
__39. In what special ways have you shown love to your mate?
__40. Have you been fully submissive to authority?
__41. Who is it that you are tempted to envy, or be jealous of?
__42. Is there any believer with whom you are out of harmony?
__43. Who are you discipling and mentoring? How?
__44. Was there a time when your love for God was stronger?
__45. How have you attempted to make peace between others?
__46. Have you taken anything not belonging to you, large or small?
__47. What sexual sin have you been most tempted to commit?
__48. Have you a practice that may be a stumbling block to others?
__49. Have you avoided outbursts of anger or rage?
__50. About what have you been inclined to boast?
__51. Have you been tempted to give up? How? Why?
__52. How have you clarified your life's mission since we last met?
__53. Have you avoided fighting, quarreling, dissension, and factions?
__54. How have you shown enduring patience since we last met?
__55. Have you avoided obscenity, foolish talk, and course jokes?
__56. In what ways have you been tempted by greed?
__57. Have you selfish ambition? How pure is your desire to achieve?
__58. Is there hate, malice, or ill will in your heart for anyone anywhere?
__59. Is there any sin, inward or outward, which has dominion over you so that you are habitually falling in this area?
__60. How have you expressed thanksgiving to God and others?
__61. How have you shown submission and respect to your husband?
__62. How have you shown love and tenderness to your wife?
__63. Have you frivolously wasted words since we last met?
__64. Have you participated in fruitless arguments?
__65. Do you have a teachable spirit?
__66. Have you shown favoritism toward the rich or powerful? How?
__67. In what way have you launched out in faith since we last met?
__68. Have you abused your power over others? How?
__69. Have you deceitfully manipulated people for your own benefit?
__70. Have you been guilty of worry, anxiety, or distrust of God?
__71. In what ways have you shown brotherly kindness?
__72. Is there any sin of another that you have come to tolerate?
__73. How have you sought opportunities to serve, listen, and help?
__74. How have you cared for the needy since we last met?
__75. To whom did you show Christ's love since we last met? How?

John Wesley's 'Four Questions' for weekly class meetings. </H3
A. What known sins have you committed since we last met?
(If there is such, what shall we do about it?)

B. What temptations have you faced? (Describe the Devil's attacks.)

C. How were you delivered from these temptations? (Tell the story.)

D. What have you thought, said, or done, of which you are uncertain of whether it was sin or not? (If so, tell us and we will help you decide)


So what do you think?

To contribute to the thinking on this issue e-mail your response to Tuesday@indwes.edu

By Keith Drury, 1984. You are free to transmit, duplicate or distribute this article for non-profit use without permission.