Accountability Questions

2 Corinthians 13:5 tells us to examine ourselves to see if we’re in the faith knowing that one day we’ll appear before the judgement seat of Christ (2 Corinthians 5:10).  However, many personal accountability questions fall short of testing our true motivations and our focus on glorifying God throughout our lives.  They are do and don’t based driven by rules and law rather than growing in the grace and obedience to God.  Here are some ideas for good accountability questions to help you think differently following Jesus command in Luke 10:27 to love God with your heart, soul, mind and strength and your neighbor as yourself.  You can also download a pdf of the questions.

Heart/choices

  • What decisions did you have this week that required you to think Biblically?  How are you working to make more God glorifying decisions (I Corinthians 10:31)?  Are your decisions based on an earthly or heavenly mindset (Philippians 3:20)?
  • In what areas of life is your heart far from God (Matthew 15:8)?  What commands have you heard from Him that you’re disobeying (Ezekiel 33:30-31, James 1:23-24)
  • Does your allocation of time, treasures and talent prioritize God above all other things?  Were you a cheerful giver of what you have received from Him (2 Corinthians 9:7)?
  • What are you willing to give up (e.g., reputation, freedom, possessions) in order to obey God (Hebrews 10:32-33, Philippians 3:8)?
  • What tempted you this week (James 1:14)?  Why?  What did you attempt to cover up (Luke 12:2-3), so that it wouldn’t be discovered?
  • Did you control your tongue or did it steer you (James 1:26)?
  • How are you suffering or sacrificing for the Gospel (2 Timothy 2:3)?  Are your choices leading to persecution (2 Timothy 3:12) that requires greater dependence on God?

Soul/worship

  • How are you living sacrificially to honor God (Romans 12:1)?  How was your attitude (Philippians 2:14-15)?
  • What do you most delight in (Psalm 35:9)?
  • Are we pleasing God by putting our faith in Him or trusting on our own abilities (Hebrews 11)?
  • In what areas is God testing your faith and obedience?  What are you most worried about (Matthew 6:25-34)?

Mind/intellect

  • What do you think about most (Colossians 3:2, Proverbs 23:7, Philippians 4:8) – earthly or heavenly things (Philippians 3:19)?  What does this tell you about your priorities?
  • What are you doing to improve your knowledge of God (Proverbs 2)?  In what way has this knowledge transformed you to do something you wouldn’t otherwise (Romans 12:2)?
  • What spiritual disciples are strongest/weakest?  Were you focused or distracted? (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)
  • Do you feel like an alien and stranger in a foreign land or are you comfortable that this is your home (1 Peter 2:11, Philippians 3:20)?
  • Are you working for God as your master or someone else (Ephesians 6:5-8)?
  • What are areas of discontentment in your life (1 Timothy 6:6)?

Strength/body

  • What are you doing to improve your health that you might have more energy to serve God better (1 Corinthians 9:24-27)?
  • Did you eat and drink to the glory of God (1 Corinthians 10:31) such that you’re not over consuming food or alcohol (Ephesians 5:18, Proverbs 23:20-21)?

Neighbors/love

  • Did you take advantage of opportunities to explain the Gospel or serve/love others (Matthew 7:12)?
  • Is there anyone you need to forgive (Ephesians 4:32)?  Is there anyone you need to ask forgiveness from (Matthew 5:24)?
  • What did you do to lead your family spiritually (Ephesians 6:4)?
  • How did you put your spouse before yourself (Ephesians 5:25)?
  • How did you honor your father and mother (Ephesians 6:2)?

Overall

  • Did you seek first God’s kingdom (presence) and righteousness or were other people, things or issues your priority (Matthew 6:33)?
  • Are you looking forward to the rewards of judgment day or sacrificing eternal rewards for temporary pleasures (Hebrews 11:26, Mark 10:17-31)?
  • If you died today, would you hear ‘Well done good and faithful servant?’ for what you’ve done this week (Matthew 25:21)?  Why or why not?
  • Will your work (and underlying motivation) withstand the testing of fire that God will put them to (1 Corinthians 3:12-15)?