The Mentoring Manifesto, Vol. 68: Habits and Accountability Beyond the Checklist Mindset
Habits, disciplines, routines. These words always seem to appear in the headlines at the beginning of a new year. They are, of course, not limited to Jesus-followers, but I find that they take on a life of their own in faith-based communities. For me, the idea of spiritual disciplines or habits used to come with a nagging feeling that God’s approval of me was contingent on my performance, and missing the target meant I was slipping in the “Christian Rankings” report God reviewed every Monday, much like you or I might review the College Football Top 25.
The next step up from habits and disciplines is accountability. But unfortunately, accountability groups and partners often bring their own baggage in the form of legalism and gossip while lacking one crucial ingredient…trusted relationships.
In a mentoring group, we want to help our mentees develop good habits, and we want to encourage accountability, but not in service of creating some Christian checklist, which is how many of your mentees will view these things when they enter your group.
Instead, we want to help them understand how our habits should help us discover the deep joy of the “surpassing worth of knowing Jesus Christ my Lord,” (Philippians 3:8) and how accountability only works when it happens in “a place safe enough to tell the worst about you and still be loved just as much, if not more, for sharing it,” (Bo’s Café).
The resources below should help you and your mentees explore healthy habits and practical accountability without losing sight of the goal of these endeavors…going deep with God and with other people.
THE DARK SIDE OF DISCIPLINE
THE MOTIVATING POWER OF AN 🔥 AND A ✅
A HABIT CALLED FAITH WITH JEN POLLOCK MICHEL
THE TREMENDOUS BEAUTY OF TRUSTING OTHERS
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