Girlfriends Making a Difference… Accountability Mentoring Discipleship LifeWay Christian Resources Copyright © 2008 Janet Peavyhouse. All rights reserved

Accountability Discipleship Mentoring “Let us see how we may spur on one another toward love and good works.” Hebrews 10:24 (NIV)

Ask some questions????? How are the women in my church relating to one another? How are they connecting? Are they building deep long lasting relationships in the body of Christ? Is there something in place that we can build on?

Components needed in a good relationship Openness Helping each other Investing time in each other Acceptance “warts” and all Listen Building each other up Trust—keep confidences Gives and takes advise Forgives Respects Commitment

John 15:9-16 (NIV) “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Now remain in my love. If you obey my commands, you will remain in my love. Just as I have obeyed my Father’s commands and remain in his love. I have told you this so that my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete. My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has on one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business…

…Instead, I have called you friends, for everything 27that I learned from Father I have made know to you…you…go an bear fruit—fruit that will last.” How will your life reflect your relationship with Christ? What fruit will you bear? John 15:9-16 (NIV)

Scripture instruction: Hebrews 10:24 Matthew 22:39 Titus 2:3-5 Ephesians 4:32 Galatians 6:10 Matthew 18: Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

Girlfriend’s Examination….. #1 Accountability #2 Mentoring #3 Discipleship “Alike Yet Different”

#1 Accountability defined… “walking along side a friend as together you grow in Godliness” - Heart Friends Webster’s - Responsible to somebody or for something: equals, answerability, responsibility, and liability…

“Helping women to establish healthy, meaningful and intimate friendships through small group accountability.” - Heart Friends

Accountable to who???? God First One Another

Attributes of an Accountable Person Transparency Honesty Humility Trustworthy - Heart Friends

How do I do this… Close friend/acquaintance Follow scripture Live out acceptance Small group (two and three) Be flexible Be confidential Pray

What Accountability is not… Mentoring Bible study Fellowship time Prayer meeting Gossip session

Format to follow Confession God’s Word Questions Prayer

Questions to ask????? Are you spending time alone with God? Are you in studying the Bible? Are you praying? Is your thought life pure? Have you lied about any of the previous questions?

#2 Mentoring Mentor: Wise, loyal advisor, teacher or coach, godly role model, be an example… Mentoring: The process or act of advising or teaching—help someone reach a god given potential… Webster’s: experienced adviser and supporter: trainer: adviser, counselor, guide, tutor, teacher…

- Brenda Hunter “Someone who comes alongside, put her arm around you and says you can do it.”

Who should mentor? Reverent in the way they live Are not slanders Not addicted Teaches what is good (Titus 2:3-5)

Mentoring options…. Needs based Soul Mate Secret Discipleship Young people

Getting Started… Form a mentoring committee Pray Determine time frame Compile profile Sheets Get started

#3 Discipleship Discipling: “one person imparting his life to another in a close relationship.” Webster’s: “follower of a person or idea: original follower of Jesus Christ. Follower, believer, supporter, devotee, student, pupil, learner.” (One-on-One experience)

What are the basic forms of discipleship? Spontaneous Discipleship Academic Discipleship Progressive Discipleship Supportive Discipleship

“Every believer begins as a spiritual infant and needs to be nurtured by more mature believers.” - Waylon Moore We call this… “One-on-One” Discipleship

Beginning disciples are characterized sometimes by… Erratic lifestyle Uncertainty about life choices Lack of basic Christian disciplines

Spiritual babies need a person to person ministry with a spirit-led disciple in a loving environment, the local church… - Acts 2:41-42, 46-47

Paul called himself _______ of those he won to Christ! What did Paul and Peter desire for all spiritual babies? 2 Peter 3:18 Ephesians 4:15 1 Corinthians 4:15

Teaching New Baby Christians Babies must learn how to eat… The Word… 1 Peter 2:2 Act 17:11 Act 20:32

Babies must learn how to talk… Prayer… John 16:24 Matthew 21:22 1 John 5:14-15 Teaching New Baby Christians

Babies must learn how to walk… Obedience… John 14:22 John 15:10 Hebrews 5:8-9 Teaching New Baby Christians

Babies must learn how to share… Witnessing/Testimony… John 1:3 Acts 1:13 1 Peter 3:15 Teaching New Baby Christians

Each new spiritual baby needs to loved, fed, protected and trained by a spiritual parent. “It takes a disciple to build a disciple.” - Waylon Moore

Disciple Leaders Loves God deeply Are growing their relationship with God Want to see other lives transformed Are gifted by God for the work they do Are patient, kind, and nonjudgmental Are committed to doing their best Enjoy working with people Have a positive attitude Are trainable and flexible

Each Different… Each Meeting a Need… Each of Value in Building Relationships…

Resources… Heart Friends by Shirley Moses & Margaret Kennedy Women Reaching Women by Chris Adams Living God’s Word by Waylon Moore Woman to Woman Mentoring by Janet Thompson A Garden Path to Mentoring by Esther Burroughs Apples of Gold by Betty Huizenga LifeWay Christian Resources Copyright © 2008 Janet Peavyhouse. All rights reserved