I Got Your Back

Main Point: We all need accountability, but the accountability we need is the kind modeled in the Bible.

Discussion Starter: Accountability Skit
We’ll start this discussion with a skit you can pull off using the talents you have in-house. Bear in mind, this is NOT the time to pull out your shy or reserved leaders (students or adults). You have to use leaders who are willing to commit to the task, even if it sounds goofy. Otherwise, this will come off lame instead of launching your discussion. Here’s what you do.

What Accountability Is Not
You’ll need a narrator, and two people/friends. This skit can take place up front without any props. The conversation is the driver in this skit.

Narrator: We’ve all heard the expression “get accountability” but what does that mean? Does it look like this?

Person 1: (approaches Person 2 in a huff) Man am I glad you’re here! I have GOT to talk to you! My life is in shambles and I don’t know what I’m gonna do.

Person 2: Um, OK. What happened?

Person 1: I blew it again! I slouched off on my diet and ate some Oreo cookies.

Person 2: That’s it?? You’re worked up over some cookies? How many was it?

Person 1: I ate two….

Person 2: Two cookies! You ate two cookies and you’re this upset??

Person 1: No, I ate two boxes of Oreo cookies.

Person 2: Holy cow! That’s the funniest thing I’ve ever heard. Gimme a sec; I gotta update my Facebook! Lisa is gonna LOL when she hears this.

(Both Persons exit to the side of the stage as the Narrator returns to the center of the stage.)

Narrator: None of us would want that person to be our accountability partner. Let’s see another person’s take on what accountability is.

Person 2: (walks on to stage and takes a stand in the center of the stage with a scowl on his/her face. It’d be great if you could play the Imperial March from Darth Vedar.)

Person 1: (walks on stage rather sheepishly and approaches Person 2)

Person 2: State your identity number and code name!

Person 1: (quickly rattles off) ID number 240626. Code name “Dirty Rotten Sinner.”

Person 2: I knew it was you! Now, tell me. What is your sin this time?

Person 1: I…I…well…I…ummm

Person 2: Spit it out, you vile sinner!

Person 1: OK! When I was driving to school today, I was doing 37mph in a 35mph zone. I’m so sorry. (Person 1 needs to cower down as soon as he/she says this line.)

Person 2: 2 whole miles-per-hour over the speed limit?? That’s, that’s reprehensible! I can’t believe you would commit such a heinous crime. Why, I can just feel the fires of hell growing hotter on account of you. I hope you’re happy now! You’re gonna burn….

(Both Persons exit to the side of the stage as the Narrator returns to the center of the stage.)

Narrator: Anybody want to sign up for that kind of accountability? Yeah, me either. Let’s take one last look at an accountability relationship to see if it’s what we’re looking for.

(Person 1 walks onto the stage rather dejected and approaches Person 2)

Person 1: Hey, I need some help.

Person 2: Sure, what’s up?

Person 1: Yeah, I’ve been looking at websites I shouldn’t be looking at.

Person 2: Well, what are you gonna do about it?

Person 1: I have no idea. Like, I literally have no idea. I’ve just so hurt right now…and I was hoping we could talk.

Person 2: Talk?? That’s not gonna solve anything! You’re just not spiritual enough! That’s why you keep sinning. Here’s what I want you to do: I want you to read the entire Old Testament this weekend.

Person 1: (a little confused) Umm, OK.

Person 2: That’s not all, Sissy Britches. You gotta pray 12 times a day, and face Jerusalem when you do it!

Person 1: Ummm, OK. Is that all?

Person 2: (in a mocking voice) Is that all? No! Then, you’re going to cap it all off with a biblical diet taken straight from the pages of Leviticus. Do all that, and you should be spiritual enough to stand up against the temptation. I gotta go. Other sinners need me, too, you know?

(Both Persons exit to the side of the stage as the Narrator returns to the center of the stage.)

Narrator: That’s probably not your cup of tea, either. That kind of accountability doesn’t solve the needy person’s dilemma. (After that line, just have the Narrator say the transitional statement….)

Transition Statement:
Accountability is a big word. It’s also becoming a church word, as of late. Further, it’s reaching buzz status, but those using sometimes do so in errant ways. What is accountability? Why do I need it? Who can offer it to me? And, What does the Bible have to say about it? These are just a few of the questions we’re going to answer in our time together.

Divide into Small Groups:
Let’s go ahead and split up into our discussion groups, and then afterward we’ll come back together for a final word.

CLICK HERE for a quick training article on how to maximize your small groups using our small group format—a great resource to equip your small group leaders.

Discussion Questions:

1. AROUND THE CIRCLE: As we get started, let’s all take a second to share our names and the person we usually go to for help.


2. ASK A FEW: Did anybody totally dig the accountability relationships you just saw? Why or why not?


3. ASK A FEW: Do you think these kinds of accountability relationships are healthy or helpful?


4. ASK A FEW: Do you think accountability is even needed today?


5. ASK A FEW: Describe the kind of accountability partner you’d like to have.

Read the following passage:

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 (NIV)
Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him 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.


6. ASK A FEW: How would you sum up this passage? (Leaders – You’re looking for something along the lines of “we’re not supposed to do life alone.”)


7. ASK A FEW: What does this passage say are some of the benefits of doing life with others?


8. ASK A FEW: Do you have people in your life that do these things for you? If not, why not?

Read the following passage:

James 5:13-16 (NIV)
Is any one of you in trouble? He should pray. Is anyone happy? Let him sing songs of praise. Is any one of you sick? He should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well; the Lord will raise him up. If he has sinned, he will be forgiven. Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.


9. ASK A FEW: Why do you think James tells us to confess our sins to one another?


10. ASK A FEW: Do you think we should tell everyone in the church about our struggles and sin? Why or why not?


11. ASK A FEW: Do you agree with the old saying, “Confession is good for the soul”? Why or why not?


12. ASK A FEW: What kind of person do you look for in an accountability partner? Why?


13. ASK A FEW: What kind of personality traits do you try to avoid in choosing accountability partners? Why?


14. AROUND THE CIRCLE: Do you have an accountability partner? If so, why and if not, why not?


15. AROUND THE CIRLCE: What kind of help would you need to enter into an accountability relationship and/or stay in one?

Wrap Up:
We spent a lot of time talking about what the Bible has to say about accountability. We looked at a couple passages, and they both say the same thing: do life together!

But it’s not easy, is it? I mean, first, we have to get real about our struggles. Then, we have to find somebody who is willing to be godly for our benefit. Finally, we have to stay disciplined in our relationship to offer one another the best we’ve got.

I want to challenge you with a reading task before I let you go. There’s a fantastic story in the Bible that models excellent accountability. It’s between two guys named David and Jonathan. The story can be found in 1 Samuel 18-20. Yeah, it’s like 3 whole pages! Just do it.

Finally, as we wrap up, I want to make sure everyone has a chance to be in a small group or a one-on-one relationship for accountability. I don’t want you facing the world alone. That’s not what God intended. So, if you’re not in an accountability relationship right now, don’t leave tonight until you’ve talked with one of our leaders.

Close in Prayer