"Accountability" - 1-17-21
Introduction
The apostle Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah, saying, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Ro. 14:11; see Is. 45:23). Paul continued, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (v. 12). If everyone will one day answer to God for his words and actions, then we do well to warn and encourage accountability among us today. In today’s lesson, we will see that discipline and accountability are right and good for every believer. For this reason, every believer should come under the government and discipline of the church.
Key Verse
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (He. 10:24).
Lesson Summary
When we become members of the church, we make ourselves accountable to others, and in turn, assume responsibility toward others in the body of Christ. An attitude of self-preservation and “mind your own business” is wrong for believers. How strange it must have sounded to the Lord, when he asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother,” only to hear him reply, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Ge. 4:9). Indeed, we are our brother’s keeper, for the Lord would not have asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother,” if he had no responsibility toward his brother. The apostle Paul explained that not only should we be concerned for ourselves, but we should also be concerned for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow members in the church (Ph. 2:4). We should support and lift up those who are spiritually weak and weary (Ga. 6:2). Of course, all of this means that I bear responsibility toward other members of the body, and other members bear responsibility toward me; and thus, we all make ourselves accountable to each other when we become members of the church. Church members should be mindful of one another. We should not allow anyone to “fall through the cracks” and go unnoticed. Instead, we should urge each other to continue in love and good works that glorify the Lord (He. 10:24). Specifically, we should encourage one another in faithful church attendance, which is vital to one’s spirituality (v. 25). When a believer becomes discouraged or dissatisfied, decline in church attendance is often the first visible sign. Therefore, we should not delay in reaching out to each other; members have the responsibility to “exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day” (He. 3:12-14). Because members are accountable to each other, if a member errs in the faith, then the other members should seek to restore him. Jesus explained the proper order of restoration. First, meet privately, and if this fails, then meet with witnesses; and if this fails, finally, meet with the church. However, when these attempts are unsuccessful in restoring an erring member, then the church has done all that can be done (Mt. 18:15-17). Paul further instructed us in seeking restoration. Only consecrated and spiritually mature saints should attempt to restore, and they should do so “in the spirit of meekness.” (Ga. 6:1). As members of one body of Christ, we should never approach another member with a haughty, judgmental spirit when seeking his restoration, remembering that none of us are invincible (v. 1; 1 Co. 10:12; 2 Pe. 3:17).
Scripture Study
Mutual accountability – Ge. 4:9; Ph. 2:4; Ga. 6:2;
Exhorting one another – He. 3:12-14; 10:24-25
Restoring erring members – Mt. 18:15-17; Ga. 6:1; 1 Co. 10:12; 2 Pe. 3:17
Conclusion
With membership in the church comes accountability. Everyone needs a healthy sense of accountability, and it works both ways. This means that I am responsible toward other members and other members are responsible toward me. Accountability is therefore a great benefit for every member of the church. It is a great blessing and benefit to hold each other accountable and seek to lift each other up in the Lord. Through church membership, we enter into covenantal relationship with other members providing a healthy sense of accountability.
Introduction
The apostle Paul quoted the prophet Isaiah, saying, “For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God” (Ro. 14:11; see Is. 45:23). Paul continued, “So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (v. 12). If everyone will one day answer to God for his words and actions, then we do well to warn and encourage accountability among us today. In today’s lesson, we will see that discipline and accountability are right and good for every believer. For this reason, every believer should come under the government and discipline of the church.
Key Verse
“And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (He. 10:24).
Lesson Summary
When we become members of the church, we make ourselves accountable to others, and in turn, assume responsibility toward others in the body of Christ. An attitude of self-preservation and “mind your own business” is wrong for believers. How strange it must have sounded to the Lord, when he asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother,” only to hear him reply, “I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper?” (Ge. 4:9). Indeed, we are our brother’s keeper, for the Lord would not have asked Cain, “Where is Abel thy brother,” if he had no responsibility toward his brother. The apostle Paul explained that not only should we be concerned for ourselves, but we should also be concerned for the needs of our brothers and sisters in Christ and fellow members in the church (Ph. 2:4). We should support and lift up those who are spiritually weak and weary (Ga. 6:2). Of course, all of this means that I bear responsibility toward other members of the body, and other members bear responsibility toward me; and thus, we all make ourselves accountable to each other when we become members of the church. Church members should be mindful of one another. We should not allow anyone to “fall through the cracks” and go unnoticed. Instead, we should urge each other to continue in love and good works that glorify the Lord (He. 10:24). Specifically, we should encourage one another in faithful church attendance, which is vital to one’s spirituality (v. 25). When a believer becomes discouraged or dissatisfied, decline in church attendance is often the first visible sign. Therefore, we should not delay in reaching out to each other; members have the responsibility to “exhort one another daily, while it is called To-day” (He. 3:12-14). Because members are accountable to each other, if a member errs in the faith, then the other members should seek to restore him. Jesus explained the proper order of restoration. First, meet privately, and if this fails, then meet with witnesses; and if this fails, finally, meet with the church. However, when these attempts are unsuccessful in restoring an erring member, then the church has done all that can be done (Mt. 18:15-17). Paul further instructed us in seeking restoration. Only consecrated and spiritually mature saints should attempt to restore, and they should do so “in the spirit of meekness.” (Ga. 6:1). As members of one body of Christ, we should never approach another member with a haughty, judgmental spirit when seeking his restoration, remembering that none of us are invincible (v. 1; 1 Co. 10:12; 2 Pe. 3:17).
Scripture Study
Mutual accountability – Ge. 4:9; Ph. 2:4; Ga. 6:2;
Exhorting one another – He. 3:12-14; 10:24-25
Restoring erring members – Mt. 18:15-17; Ga. 6:1; 1 Co. 10:12; 2 Pe. 3:17
Conclusion
With membership in the church comes accountability. Everyone needs a healthy sense of accountability, and it works both ways. This means that I am responsible toward other members and other members are responsible toward me. Accountability is therefore a great benefit for every member of the church. It is a great blessing and benefit to hold each other accountable and seek to lift each other up in the Lord. Through church membership, we enter into covenantal relationship with other members providing a healthy sense of accountability.
Sunday School Lessons
January 2021
ADULT - English
ADULT - English
| adult_ss_english_-_january_2021.zip |
ADULT - Spanish
| adult_ss_spanish_-_january_2021.zip |
Children - English
| children_ss_-_english_-_january_2021.doc |
Teen - English
| teen_ss_english_-_january_2021__revised_.zip |