WEEK 11- Sources of Godly Accountability
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
1 Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. 2 But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. 3 He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers. 4 Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away. 5 Therefore the wicked will not stand in the judgment, nor sinners in the assembly of the righteous. 6 For the Lord watches over the way of the righteous, but the way of the wicked will perish.
Psalm 1:1-6
2 Test me, O Lord, and try me, examine my heart and my mind; 3 for your love is ever before me, and I walk continually in your truth. 4 I do not sit with deceitful men, nor do I consort with hypocrites; 5 I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked. 6 I wash my hands in innocence, and go about your altar, O Lord, 7 proclaiming aloud your praise and telling of all your wonderful deeds. 8 I love the house where you live, O Lord, the place where your glory dwells.
Psalm 26:2-8
27 Those who are far from you will perish; you destroy all who are unfaithful to you. 28 But as for me, it is good to be near God. I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge; I will tell of all your deeds.
Psalm 73:27-28
15 ‘If you love me, you will obey what I command. 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor to be with you forever — 17 the Spirit of truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees him nor knows him. But you know him, for he lives with you and will be in you.’
19 ‘Before long, the world will not see me anymore, but you will see me. Because I live, you also will live.’
25 ‘All this I have spoken while still with you. 26 But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. 27 Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’
John 14:15-17, 19, 25-27
1 Keep me safe, O God, for in you I take refuge. 7 I will praise the Lord, who counsels me; even at night my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me. Because he is at my right hand, I will not be shaken. 9 Therefore my heart is glad and my tongue rejoices; my body also will rest secure, 10 because you will not abandon me to the grave, nor will you let your Holy One see decay. 11 You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.
Psalm 16:1, 7-11
What does this passage have to say about accountability?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) What types of relationships are harmful, and how does God’s Word advise us to handle those relationships (Psalm 1:1, 4-5; Psalm 25:4-5)? Do these qualities describe your circle of close friends or the people to whom you go for advice?
2) What word is used in both Psalm 1:6 and Psalm 73:27 to describe the “way of the wicked”? Does this just mean that “those who are far from [God]” will face difficulty and that their plans will not succeed, or is there something more intended?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
3) What types of relationships are healthy (Psalm 1:2-3)? Do you seek advice from people who counsel you Biblically? What can sometimes be the difference between a “Christian perspective” (Christian advice) and a “Biblical perspective” (Biblical counsel)? [Need some help here, coaches? A “Christian perspective” is still the opinion of a person. It may be enlightened by that person’s faith in Christ, but it’s still that person’s perspective. A “Biblical perspective” is the direct Word of God — the words and authority of Scripture itself.] Are you ever tempted to substitute a person’s opinion for Biblical truth? Why are you tempted to do so?
4) What are the rewards of submitting yourself to Biblical accountability (Psalm 1:3, 6)? Do these promises have any application to your life as an athlete?
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
5) Jesus promised an additional means of accountability in the form of “another Counselor to be with you forever” (John 14:16). Who is this Counselor? What blessing is available to you through the teaching and reminders of the Holy Spirit (v. 27)? How is this peace different from the “positive attitude” and “wishful thinking” by which many people try to live an upbeat sort of life (Psalm 16:7-11)?
6) The Holy Spirit’s counsel should convict a believer to do what (Psalm 17:1; Psalm 26:7; Psalm 73:28b)? Do you ever share what God is teaching you with your teammates? How could a willingness to share the joy of your relationship with Christ change the dynamic of your team’s attitudes and motivations?
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of accountability, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about accountability this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about accountability you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about accountability this week...What does an accountable athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of accountability, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “accountable athlete”, and be sure the list is displayed somewhere that is constantly visible, as a reminder to the team.
· Pray together as a team. Encourage your athletes to pray for your team’s growth in regard to the discipline of accountability — especially in relation to some of the issues and challenges that you discussed together this week. Challenge them to also ask for forgiveness, when applicable. Give time for athletes to request prayer (regarding accountability or anything else), and pray together.
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