New Page 1
Session Outline:
Gal. 6:1-3 Brothers,
if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently.
But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. Carry each other’s burdens,
and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
Prov. 4:25-26 Let
your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. Make level
paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.
Path Levelers:
"A small group of men who meet together on a
regular basis, have a committed relationship to Jesus Christ and are dedicated
to the ongoing spiritual growth and stability of each other."
Accountable men will become:
1. _______________
Holding always to the same principles or practice.
2. _______________
The state or quality of being stable or fixed--firmness of
character, purpose or resolution. Steadfast, confident.
3. ________________
The fact or feeling of being certain--assurance.
4. _________________
Having or expressing meaning -- full of meaning -- important.
Life Application:
Heb. 10:24 And let us consider
how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds.
Men need accountable relationships in order to become more
consistent in life. We need to be encouraged to live out a godly life and resist
the things that hinder us from becoming all that God desires.
Prov. 27:17 As iron sharpens
iron, so one mans sharpens another.
Participants must be willing to be:
Available (Principle of Commitment/Priority)
This has to do with being there for my group no matter what. I must be
willing to accept their calls any time day or night.
Accountable (Principle of Responsibility)
In this area I must follow through on my promises to pray for the men in my
group.
Vulnerable (Principle of Transparency)
I must always be transparent, even when it may make me look less than
acceptable.
Teachable (Principle of being open/humble)
It is possible to be available, accountable and vulnerable -- but if I am not
teachable -- I will come up short
Doing together what we can not do alone:
Ezek. 1:4-12 I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north
—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light.
The center of the fire looked like glowing metal, and in the fire was what
looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man,
but each of them had four faces and four wings. Their legs were straight; their
feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. Under their
wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had
faces and wings, and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight
ahead; they did not turn as they moved.
Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on
the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox;
each also had the face of an eagle. Such were their faces. Their wings were
spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature
on either side, and two wings covering its body.
Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go,
without turning as they went.
JOHN WESLEY’S EIGHT COVENANTS
1) The Covenant of Love (agape):
Your commitment to each individual in your group must be of the spirit that
says: "Nothing you do or say will make me stop loving you."
2) The Covenant of Availability:
a. I will be available, when humanly possible, each time our group meets.
b. I will make myself available to any member of our group whenever they are
in need.
3) The Covenant of Prayer:
I will pray for each member of our group consistently.
4) The Covenant of Confidentiality:
Understanding that the other points in this covenant are only possible in the
security of a "trust relationship," I will, therefore, make the
commitment to our group to share NOTHING outside of our group that has been
shared inside our group or shared in private ministry with another member of our
group.
5) The Covenant of Openness:
Understanding that I cannot know you and that you cannot know me unless we
tell each other who we are. I will make the commitment to tell you who I am,
both in my strengths and in my weaknesses.
6) The Covenant of Sensitivity:
I will ask God to make me sensitive to the needs of each person in our group
and I will consciously make the commitment to LISTEN to each person each time
they speak, whether in words, actions, or attitudes.
7) The Covenant of Honesty:
Understanding that "speaking the truth in love" is both positive
and constructive unto bodily growth. I will allow God to use me in our group’s
growth process by telling you when I agree and when I disagree.
8) The Covenant of Accountability:
It is my conviction that God has placed me in our group "for building up
the Body of Christ," and that from time to time within our group it will be
necessary for me to seek the mind of the Lord through the counsel and advice of
our group. I will accept the responsibility for their counsel and advice and
report to them what I have done with their collective wisdom.
Discussion Question:
How available, accountable, vulnerable and teachable am I?
How can other men in my group help me improve in these areas?
to listen to the audio of the Session.
2/1/2003