Building a Strong Church Family Through Accountability and Faith
Summary
In this sermon, I was reminded of the importance of not only being part of a church but being part of a church family. The speaker emphasized the importance of knowing not just what the Bible says, but where it says it, encouraging us to bring our Bibles to church, take notes, and study the scriptures for ourselves. The speaker also stressed the importance of being able to lead new Christians and help them understand where the Bible says certain things. The speaker also discussed the importance of accountability, one of the family values of the church. It's not just about inviting people into your life as a follower of Jesus Christ, but about letting the right people into your life and giving those right people permission and access into your lives.
In the second part of the sermon, the speaker gave an opportunity for those who don't know Jesus Christ as their savior to say yes to Jesus. The speaker emphasized that you don't have to have it all figured out, you just need to know that Jesus is the answer. The speaker then led the congregation in a prayer, asking Jesus to forgive their sins and give them a clean heart and a brand new start. The speaker then discussed the importance of inviting the right people into our lives and giving them access, as this is where wholeness and healing are found.
Key Takeaways:
- It's important to not only know what the Bible says, but where it says it. This helps us to better understand and apply the teachings of the Bible in our lives ([04:56]).
- Accountability is a key value in the church. This involves inviting the right people into our lives and giving them permission and access ([06:53]).
- It's not enough to just invite people into our lives. We need to invite the right people and give them the right access ([07:30]).
- We are all sinners and our sin separates us from God. The solution to this sin is Jesus ([26:27]).
- Communion is a time to reflect on our relationship with God and with others in the church family. It's a time to make right any wrongs and to celebrate God's mercy and grace ([32:42]).
Study Guide
Takeaways from the sermon:
1. God's plan for our lives is not to go solo, but to invite the right people into our lives for deep, meaningful conversations about our struggles, growth, and understanding of God's word. This is the essence of having an accountability partner, and everyone needs one. ([08:12])
2. If we want to change, stay on track, grow, and live a life that brings honor and glory to God, we need to invite the right people into our lives. These people will help us stay focused on God's purposes for our lives and keep us from settling or stopping short. ([10:07])
3. Accountability partners help us grow, keep us focused on God's purposes for our lives, and push us to keep going even when we want to tap out or get fatigued. They are the right people who have our best spiritual interest in mind. ([16:53])
Bible Reading:
1. James Chapter 5
2. Ephesians Chapter 2
3. Hebrews Chapter 10
4. 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5
Observation Questions:
1. What does James Chapter 5 teach us about confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other?
2. How does Ephesians Chapter 2 describe God's plan for our lives?
3. What does Hebrews Chapter 10 say about motivating one another and meeting together?
Interpretation Questions:
1. How does the concept of confessing our sins to each other and praying for each other relate to the idea of having an accountability partner?
2. How does God's plan for our lives, as described in Ephesians Chapter 2, relate to the role of an accountability partner?
3. How can we apply the teachings in Hebrews Chapter 10 about motivating one another and meeting together in the context of having an accountability partner?
Application Questions:
1. Who are the right people you have invited into your life for deep, meaningful conversations about your struggles and growth?
2. How have these people helped you stay on track and grow in your Christian life?
3. Can you share a time when an accountability partner pushed you to keep going even when you wanted to tap out or felt fatigued?
4. How can you be a better accountability partner to others in your life?
5. How can you apply the teachings in James Chapter 5, Ephesians Chapter 2, Hebrews Chapter 10, and 1 Thessalonians Chapter 5 in your daily life?
Devotional
Day 1: The Power of Accountability
Accountability is not just about inviting people into your life, but about letting the right people into your life. It's about inviting the right people into your lives and then giving those right people permission and access into your lives. This is a crucial aspect of spiritual growth and maturity, as it provides a system of support, encouragement, and correction that helps us stay on the right path ([15:31]).
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 - "Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up. Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken."
Reflection: Who are the right people in your life that you have given access to hold you accountable?
Day 2: The Importance of Knowing the Word
As Christians, it's not enough to just know what the Bible says, we must also know where the Bible says it. This requires a deep and personal engagement with the scriptures, studying them for ourselves and not just relying on others to interpret them for us ([04:56]).
2 Timothy 2:15 - "Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth."
Reflection: How are you actively engaging with the scriptures in your daily life?
Day 3: The Healing Power of Confession
Confession is a powerful tool for healing and growth. When we confess our sins to each other and pray for each other, we open ourselves up to God's healing power. This is not just about seeking forgiveness from God, but also about seeking healing and wholeness through the support and prayers of our brothers and sisters in Christ ([11:26]).
James 5:16 - "Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."
Reflection: How can you incorporate confession and prayer for others into your spiritual practice?
Day 4: The Strength of Unity
As members of the body of Christ, we belong to each other. This unity brings with it both privileges and responsibilities. We are called to support each other, to rejoice with those who rejoice and weep with those who weep. This unity is not just about being part of a crowd, but about having deep, meaningful relationships with our brothers and sisters in Christ ([12:06]).
Romans 12:5 - "So in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others."
Reflection: How are you actively participating in the unity of the body of Christ?
Day 5: The Necessity of Spiritual Growth
Spiritual growth is not a solo endeavor. We need others to help us grow, to challenge us, to keep us accountable. This is why we need to invite the right people into our lives and give them access. These accountability partners help us stay focused on God's purposes for our lives and push us to grow in our faith ([16:53]).
Proverbs 27:17 - "As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another."
Reflection: Who are the people in your life that are helping you grow in your faith?
Quotes
1. "We all need people in our lives, not people to simply hype us up but people who will love us enough to push us along. That's why accountability and having the right people in your lives matters. I need people in my life who love and care about me enough to fight for me, so I can fight for those who I love and care about who need Jesus." - 22:35
2. "God doesn't want you to be an orphan in his family. He wants you to do life with your brothers and sisters. It's just smarter to bring others into your life. We are in a spiritual warfare and here's some of the benefits to inviting the right people into your life and give them access. Accountability Partners will help you grow." - 15:11
3. "We need to invite the right people into our life and give them access so we can be healed and whole. We are brothers and sisters and we are forever family. We got to have each other's back. We all belong to each other." - 11:24
4. "The right people care about you reaching your kingdom potential. The right people having the right access aren't going to let you do stupid stuff. They want to see Ephesians chapter 10 live down in your life." - 19:03
5. "Accountability Partners help push me and to keep me in line even when I want to tap out or I get fatigued. They push you to failure just to build you up. That's why we shouldn't neglect our meeting together. God didn't call us to do this alone." - 19:03
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