The Time Is Now - Developing A Lifestyle Of Prayer

Memory Passage "Train yourself to be godly. For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come." -1 Timothy 4:7b-8

Going Further and Deeper

M. Accountability groups are not primarily support groups. We all hurt and have bad days. But focus your accountability discussions on the positive direction you want to go. Feel free to share briefly your disappointments and difficulties for prayer support, but don't belabor them. Focus on the good things that can happen when you faithfully live the disciplines and experience God's blessing in your lives. N. Accountability is incomplete without reproof and correction. This is where many accountability groups fail. They form a good-old-boy club with unspoken mutual agreements, "I won't ask you the hard questions if you won't ask me."

13. How can reproof and correction be done constructively, rather than destructively (Proverbs 27:6; Psalm 141:5; 1 Timothy 5:20)?

O. Do not use the "legalism" cop-out. We should be able to distinguish legalism from healthy standards, faithful commitments and diligent self-evaluation. Willingness to applying these challenging aspects of holy living is wisdom, pure and simple. Every serious basketball player understands that when you're late for practice there is a consequence-you may not get to start or you may mn extra laps. Life is full of responsibil­ ity and consequences. With any life skill, the person who practices the most will perform the best. Discipline and accountability keep us practicing healthy, holy living. Even those who are talented won't fulfill the potential of their giftedness without practice. Let's not forget this principle when it comes to the most important skills of all-the skills of living righteously in a world where God reigns over all with absolute power, perfect wisdom and steadfast love. A note to those who resist time management: Stewarding our limited time, in order to accomplish only God's best, is a good thing, not legalism. It shows that you value God. If