OPEN
When was a time when you held someone accountable for something? How did that go? When was a time someone held you accountable for something? How did you receive that person’s comments?
REFLECT
What stood out to you in this sermon? How did this message challenge you?
Read Nehemiah 13.
In this passage, Nehemiah held the people of Israel accountable in their leadership, worship, and relationships. Which of these areas stood out most to you? Why?
Dan said, “Everybody needs accountability.” Do you agree with this? Why or why not? Why is accountability important?
What are other Bible passages that speak to the concept of Christian accountability? How might passages like Proverbs 27:17; Luke 17:3; Galatians 6:1-5; James 5:15-16 teach us about accountability in the context of Christian community?
Dan shared a few stories illustrating how hard and unnatural it is for us to hold people accountable and be held accountable by others. Have you found that to be true in your own life?
Describe what it would look like to give and receive accountability in a healthy, God-honoring way.
Without accountability, surgeons can make life changing mistakes. Without accountability pilots can end up crashing a plane. What have you seen happen in your life when you have not had accountability?
APPLY
In this sermon Dan said, “Accountability is not a sign of weakness, but wisdom.” What does accountability look like in your life?
Of the three areas that Nehemiah addressed in the people of Israel (leadership, worship, and relationships), which do most you need to be held accountable in? Why? Are there any other areas of that you need to have accountability in?
Dan shared several questions that might be useful for accountability. Are there any questions that you would like your friends to ask you on a regular basis?
PRAY
Accountability isn’t for accountability’s sake, it’s so that we can all look more like Jesus. Spend time praying and asking God to use your relationships to shape you into the image of Christ.
NEXT STEPS
God wants His people to view the world through eyes of faith and to have a holy ambition to see that vision become reality. This 9-week sermon series on the book of Nehemiah will help us to discover the eternally-significant things God wants to accomplish through our lives, and help us become the sort of people who have the courage and conviction to make a difference for the glory of God.
Check out your Spiritual Gifts! Every person has been gifted by God with talents and abilities that are useful to Kingdom work. Do you know what yours are? Check out THIS Spiritual Gifts Assessment to find out.
Find out where you can Serve! There are needs all around us. The Creek partners with several organizations that you and your group can partner with. You can find more information about them by visiting thecreek.org.