Hope Community is not merely a place, but a group of people who desire to live as followers of Jesus and to make a difference in our city for Christ. Effective use of gospel centered accountability in small groups is vital to the growth and health of group members.
As we consider what accountability can look like in our small groups, it is helpful to take a look at a few of Hope Community Church’s core values.
By God’s Grace – The grace of God shall permeate all that we do. We acknowledge that our only hope for a restored relationship with God is through the grace given to us at the cross of Jesus Christ. We will operate in a spirit of grace and humility and will allow ourselves to be broken over our own sin.
“We are all poster children for grace.”
Through the Truth of the Word of God – The Bible is our source of truth and our guide for living. Real life change happens only when it brings our lives into alliance with the God-inspired words of Scripture. We value teaching, preaching, studying, and meditating upon God’s Word.
“God’s Word changes lives!”
Depending on God through the Holy Spirit – We have no desire to have the ministry of this church be powered on our own strength. We will rely on the Holy Spirit to lead, empower, and comfort us as we eagerly learn how to personally and corporately pray and worship.
“Be a sailboat, catching the wind of the Spirit – not a speedboat, under your own power.”
While these core values were written for our church as a whole, we hope that, as small group leaders, you take these words to heart while you lead your small group. These core values could easily be rewritten to say, “The grace of God shall permeate all that we do in small group. We acknowledge that our only hope for a restored relationship with God is through the grace given to us at the cross of Jesus Christ. During our small group, and in our lives, we will operate in a spirit of grace and humility and will allow ourselves to be broken over our own sin.” And, “Real life change happens only when it brings our lives into alliance with the God-inspired words of Scripture, which we commit to studying together in small group. We value community, accountability, studying, and meditating upon God’s Word.”
Our experience has shown us time and time again that people involved in small groups are far less likely to fall into damaging, long lasting patterns of sin. In addition, when crisis does occur in people’s lives, those who are committed to a small group receive the unique support and care of a group as well as familiar people who are willing to come alongside them in their time of need. Why? By being regularly involved in each other’s lives, group members are aware of times when other group members are in need of help.
By God’s grace, and through the power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, each one of us can find complete forgiveness for ALL of our sin. God gives us all we need to live out the calling of Christ in three important ways: the Word of God, the Spirit of God, and the people of God. The Word of God gives us all the instruction we need, and the Holy Spirit empowers us to live out the gospel on a daily basis. Given the right vision and environment, small groups can play a significant role in helping the body of Christ at Hope Community Church find Christ, identify sin, understand forgiveness, grow in the knowledge and wisdom of the Word of God, and rely on the Holy Spirit.
Effectively using accountability is vital to achieving these goals. We would like to offer a few helpful tips to making the most of accountability time.
- Have regular accountability and prayer time. This might seem obvious, as it’s one of the 3 PIllars, but without having this time consistently, it will be difficult for your group members to open up during this time.
- Make sure there is a long enough time for people to share. In a typical 2-hour small group, we recommend dividing the time as follows: 20 minutes of community building, 50 minutes of discussion, 50 minutes accountability.
- Divide the time equally amongst the group members. Try to avoid having one person dominate the time with storytelling or lengthy explanations. You may need to have one on one discussion with group members who consistently dominate this time. During this discussion, it is important to gently remind this person that everyone needs an opportunity to share, and he/she will need to keep the requests to the allotted time. Some leaders simply divide the time based on how many people are present and then use a timer.
- Our staff believes the most effective way to do accountability is to split into gender specific groups. It creates a safe space for people to share deeply.
- Openness and honesty begins with the leaders. As a leader you need to be willing to be vulnerable during this time. Honestly share your own struggles. Ask your group members to pray for you and hold you accountable to pulling the gospel through this area of your life.
- Share your victories. As you or your group members experience joys and victories in life, celebrate together.
- Make Christ the answer. As you or your group members address pain, trials and sin be mindful of making the gospel the solution to any difficult situations.
- Give glory to God. Praise God together in your difficulties and joys.
And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV)
For more information about how to do accountability well in your small group, be sure to look at the Accountability Small Group study available through our Small Group Materials Library
This document was written and compiled by Naty Severson, Small Group Coordinator and revised by Jordan Anderson, Small Group Staff at Hope Community Church in Minneapolis, MN. Before reproducing or distributing this document please contact smallgroups@hopecc.com for permission and current revisions.
