Accountability in Small Groups

Over 50 people have now reigstered their interest and renewed commitment to live the devoted life - devoting themselves to Jesus through worship, prayer, bible reading, fellowship and service.

I have spoken of the value of accountability and of the significance of deepening relationships within  small group. These two things should be inter-related. Many have made themselves accountable to me about their life of devotion to Jesus by registering and that can happen to a degree, but what about within a small group?

As we deepen in fellowship within our small group these are the people we should all be making ourselves accountable to. I hope that within our small groups we will be discussing the realities of what it means to be devoted to Jesus and, meeting by meeting, our small groups should become places where we can admit our failings; call each other to account and pray for one another as we seek to be faithful servants of Jesus Christ.

Next time in your small group when you are asked what you want prayer for (I hope you are!), resist the temptation to say "oh nothing - I'm OK" and share something of your struggle in seeking to put Jesus first in your life, your struggles with prayer and bible reading and loving others! This in itself can be an encouragement to others because we all live in this unreal world of believing everyone else has got everything sorted out - it's only we who are struggling - if only that were true!

As we open up to our struggles within our small group they will become places of healing and increasingly meaningful relationships. I pray that next time your small group meets there will be a deepening of relationships and new life breathed into it through the open sharing of your lives.

Don't forget you can also bring encouragement to those outside your small group through using the forums on these web pages.

Thank you so much for those of you who have already contributed - please go and take a look and make your contribution! http://www.stmatthews.org.uk/Group/Group.aspx?id=73298  - you do need to be logged in!