Wednesday: Community and Accountability

Big Idea: Whatever your reason is for not being in a small group, it's bad.

Scripture: Proverbs 27:17 (ESV) 17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

I believe everyone wants to get better.  Everyone wants to improve.  But oftentimes, we aren’t willing to go through the discomfort that is found within the process of improvement.  Iron sharpening iron is NOT a day spa.  It can be a very uncomfortable process.  But as the old adage goes: “No pain, no gain.”  If we want to grow, we are going to need some other people around us to help us in that process…..even if it gets uncomfortable and inconvenient.  Proverbs provides a powerful image of how relationships within a community can refine and strengthen us. Just as iron sharpens iron, our interactions with others in a faith community can help us grow and become more Christ-like. This means we sometimes face constructive criticism and gentle rebuke, which, although not always easy, is necessary for growth.

Accountability is a key benefit of small groups. Within a community, we have people who love us and who we can trust that might offer correction, guidance, and encouragement. This kind of interaction helps us to maintain a healthy, honest perspective about our spiritual lives and pushes us to dive deeper into our faith journey and relationship with God.

Action Step: We all need accountability.  Identify someone in your life who can hold you accountable in your spiritual journey, and ask them if they would be willing to take on this role.

Song of the Day: “Brother” by NEEDTOBREATHE (feat. Gavin DeGraw) NEEDTOBREATHE "Brother feat. Gavin DeGraw" [Official Video]