In Part 1 of Accountability Partners, the argument was made for why accountability is so important, and a number of real-life examples were provided so you can see what it can look like. In Part 2, you will find tips for a) finding good accountability and b) providing good accountability.

When You’re the One Looking for Good Accountability

• Choose someone you trust, respect and actually want to be accountable to.
• Ask someone who shares your most important beliefs and promotes your character development.
• Find a person you’ll be able to communicate well with; and be specific about what would help you the most – don’t assume they’ll know.
• Make sure you have a clear understanding of the time commitments expected of you.
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to confirm that this person will give you effective and customized accountability that’s right for you; and then pray for the relationship as it continues to move forward.
• Recognize that the Enemy will try to make you believe you’re too far gone, taking up too much of their time, and cannot change.
• If you’ve had a failed partnership in the past, don’t let that keep you from trying again.
• Be ready for full vulnerability and no holding back; that’s why everyone needs the Savior.

Making Sure You’re Providing Good Accountability

• Pray for the person who is counting on you – don’t make the mistake of trying to save them in your own strength.
• If someone asks you to keep them accountable, realize it may have been hard for them to ask you! Before you commit, be sure to ask them to be very specific about their needs. 
• Be strong enough to say no if you cannot give them what they need from an accountability partner, and try to help them find someone else.
• Make sure you understand the intensity level needed for each person you’re serving in this capacity.
• Strike the balance between flowing out God’s grace while not giving so much flexibility that you contribute to their failure. Listening and obeying the Holy Spirit will help you be discerning.
• Have a dedicated willingness to ask questions, follow through, and not take excuses. Just because they aren’t reaching out doesn’t mean they aren’t in need; keep checking in on them. Don’t be afraid to ask/do the hard stuff in love; that’s what is needed most.
• Set up a good structure – such as what frequency is needed for check-ins, texts, calls, home visits, Scripture discussions, reading a book together, etc. Adhere to the time commitments you made.
• Recognize that the Enemy will try to make you give up, believe lies, (such as “they are sick of me checking on them”) and grow weary over time.
• Be consistent in praying for and with the person who is accountable to you.
• Understand that sometimes, no matter how good of an accountability partner you are, someone may go off the rails and quit working with you prematurely. You can’t take on more ownership than is yours to take; that’s when you can be glad they are ultimately in God’s care.

Speak…that the OLDER MEN would be sound in faith, love, and patience…the OLDER WOMEN would be reverent…and teachers of good things…the YOUNG WOMEN would be admonished to love…and be chaste…the YOUNG MEN would demonstrate a pattern of good works…show integrity, reverence, and sound speech… (Titus 2:2-8)