July 9, 2026
The Accountable Leader
Christian leaders need deep, intentional friendships marked by accountability, humility, and biblical faithfulness to protect character and finish strong.
Articles for tag: Character
September 7, 2020
Discovery Questions for September 13, 2020
COMPANION RESOURCES Lesson for Sept. 13, 2020: “Fight” (1 Timothy 1:12-19; 6:11-16) “How to Have a Good Fight,” by David Faust (Lesson Application) ________ Study Questions for Groups By Michael C. Mack 1. What was the biggest challenge you faced last week? 2. What did you do last week, as empowered by God’s Spirit, to share the love of Jesus with someone? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read 1 Timothy 1:12-19 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. Repeat the process for 1 Timothy 6:11-16. Ask the third person to summarize
May 25, 2020
Discovery Questions for May 31, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 31, 2020: “The Look of Integrity” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. This past week, did you spend time with a friend, coworker, or family member who has been going through a dark time of suffering? If so, who, and how did that go? 2. What challenges did you face last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to read Job 27:1-6 one after the other (possibly from different Bible versions). Then ask
May 10, 2020
Discovery Questions for May 17, 2020
(These Discovery questions go with the Bible lesson for May 17, 2020: “His Beloved Ones.” For a detailed explanation of how to use Discovery Bible Study, click here.) By Leigh Mackenzie 1. What “win” stories from this past week do you have about living out godliness? 2. What were your biggest challenges last week? Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the two readers to each read Deuteronomy 30:4-6 in turn (possibly from different Bible versions) and then ask the group what they observe in the passage. What captured their attention? Then ask the same two readers to
September 26, 2017
When Truth Speaks
By Shawn McMullen “Demetrius is well spoken of by everyone””and even by the truth itself. We also speak well of him, and you know that our testimony is true” (3 John 12). We don”t know much about the disciple named Demetrius. He”s mentioned only once in the New Testament, in John”s third letter. Some suggest he was the courier who delivered John”s letter to Gaius, but that”s speculation. We do know one thing about him. He enjoyed a good reputation among his brothers and sisters in the church. John described him as “well spoken of by everyone.” It seems everyone
January 18, 2017
Habits””Better Than Resolutions
By Jim Tune We”re not far into the new year, but our resolutions have already started to fade into the background. “I”m opening a gym called Resolutions,” someone quipped. “It will have exercise equipment for the first two weeks and then it will turn into a bar for the rest of the year.” We start out well, but our best intentions don”t survive the realities of life. Resolutions aren”t bad; they”re just not enough. According to James Clear, a writer on behavioral change, we should forget goals and embrace systems. “Goals are good for planning your progress and systems are
December 9, 2015
Meditating on Hope: December 9
By Becky Ahlberg Wednesday, December 9 Start your thoughts this morning reading Romans 5:1-5. Perseverance and character“”these are two strong words, but we usually don”t think of them as the stuff of Christmas. And yet, they are at the heart of it. When you come right down to it, Christmas is a pretty rough story. Think of the cast in this play, and how those two words made Christmas possible: Mary, Joseph, the shepherds, Anna, Simeon, and Christ. For all of them, there could easily be a focus on shame and suffering, and yet each of them experienced and understood
November 7, 2007
The Most Important Plan
A counselor once said confessing temptations early can prevent deeper failure. Mark A. Taylor reflects on fear, pride, and the need for trusted accountability that helps leaders grow in integrity.
What About Accountability?
When ministers fall, the question returns: where is accountability? This reflection explores how plans can fail, why a weekly confessor matters, and how honesty—one week at a time—keeps a vulnerable heart away from the edge.
