Accountability and Discipleship Prayer-Partners

I have been working on developing a pamphlet or leaflet for women desiring to establish accountability and discipleship relationships.  Here's my first draft and I welcome input.  God bless, Maria

Accountability and Discipleship Prayer-Partners

We are called In Scripture to love one another in the Lord, to come together, support one another, and hold each other accountable as we encourage one another to good works and to walk by the Spirit.  Even in the church it can be difficult to connect to one another as we are either holed away in our homes or too busy with our day-to-day lives and work or simply unable to make the connections when we do meet with others. 

This is a tool to assist accountability partners in building a relationship with one another that is biblical, meaningful, and fruitful. 

 “Be devoted to one another in brotherly love, give preference to one another in honor, not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord.”  Romans 12:10-11

“This is My commandment, that you love one another, just as I have loved you.”  John 15:12

“Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God.”  Colossians 3:16

Seek to be specific with each other in your answers to each of the questions to help you to be able to better verbalize your faith walk.   This will also help each of you do what the Scriptures call us to do for one another.  You may not address all of them each time you meet.  This is a tool, a guide to help you build your relationship in a Christ-honoring direction through which you can both get to know each other on a deeper level in order to stand firm in the Lord when and where you face storms and to encourage each other’s growth in Christ.

Determine a regular time to meet, preferably in person, but if that isn’t always practical, then you can skype or talk on the phone, but do meet regularly, once a week or once or twice a month.  Find a schedule that works and allows you to develop a bond of love.

“Sanctify Christ as Lord in your hearts, always being ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you to give an account for the hope that is within you, yet with gentleness and reverence;” 1 Peter 3:15

“Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us , an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma.”  Ephesians 5:1-2

1.  Open by reviewing the Gospel together.  Jesus Christ should be the center of our lives, and we do not give enough legitimate focus to Him, and what He has done and does for us.  Beginning with Jesus reminds us of what is really important and central.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, Who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to obtain an inheritance which is imperishable and undefined and will not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,” 1 Peter 1:3-4

“For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners againsht Himself, so that you may not grow weary and lose heart.”  Hebrews 12:3

“Therefore gird your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. “  1Peter 1:13

2.   How are you doing with your personal time and relationship with God, devotions, Bible study, prayer?

“Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. “ James 4:8

“Like newborn babes, long for the pure milk of the word, that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,”  1 Peter 2:2

“Pray without ceasing.”  1 Thessalonians 5:17

3.  What is God teaching you?  

“All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction for training in righteousness; that the man (woman) of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

“But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.”  1 Timothy 6:6

4.  How is He challenging you, stretching you, growing you?

“You are my friends if you do what I command you.” John15:14

“…the fruit of the spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.”  Galatians 5:22-23

“Consider it all joy, my brethren, when you encounter various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces endurance.  And let endurance have its perfect result, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”  James 1:2-4

5.  How are you using your gifts for Kingdom purposes?

“For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many are one body in Christ, and individually members one f another.  And since we have gifs that differ according to the grace given to us, let each ecercise them accordingly…” Romans 12:4-6

“And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.”  Colossians 3:17

“  If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.”  Galatians 5:25

6.  How are you involved in God’s mission, sharing the Gospel and/or discipleship?

“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you, and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:  19-20

“I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.”  Romans 12:1

“Preach the Word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:2

7.  With what are you struggling and how can I encourage you?

“Bear one another’s burdens and so fulfill the law of Christ.“  Galatians 6:2

 “Blessed is a man who perseveres under trial; for once he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.  James 1:12

“Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed.  The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.”  James 5:16

“But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” lest any one of you be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin.”  Hebrews 3:13

8.  Do you have relationships that need repairing?

Pursue peace with all men, and the sanctification without which no which no one will see the Lord.”  Hebrews 12:14

“Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice.  And be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, just as God for Christ sake has forgive you.  Ephesians 4:22

9.  What thoughts do you need to change and replace?

“We are destroying speculations and every lofty thing raised up against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.”  2Corinthians 10:5

“Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, let your mind dwell on these things.”  Philippians 4:8

10.  What are you thankful for and rejoicing in?

“Give thanks in everything.”  1Thessalonians 5:18

“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I say rejoice!”  Philippians 4:4

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.  My soul shall make its boast in the Lord; The humble shall hear it and rejoice.  O magnify the Lord  with me, and let us exalt His name together.”  Psalm 34:1-3

“Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart.”  Psalm 37:4

11.  What other prayer requests and concerns do you have that you would like to share with me?  How else can I pray for you?

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God.”  Philippians 4:6

“These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer, along with the women, and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with His brothers.”  Acts 1:14

“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men,” 1 Timothy 2:1