Building Accountability Within the eGroup

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed.  The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.  James 5:16

For this reason, he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people.  Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.  Hebrews 2:17-18

Once your eGroup has been together in a certain length of time, you should begin to recognize a deeper community among the group members.  You should also see a great sense of accountability with each other develop among the members.

Accountability has always been a key ingredient to a deeper walk with God.  When we trust those close to us, we are more likely to share with them our greatest struggles and greatest victories.  When we trust others, we are more likely to share the things that drive us closer to God or away from God.

When you are able to lead your eGroup to a point of this type of sharing, you are growing your people; you are living out James 5:16.

As you try to drive your eGroup to this place of higher accountability, here are some practical tips that can assist your leadership in this area:

• Define the Goal and Be Patient: You have to remember that most of the members of your eGroup have never been in a relationship where they shared their greatest struggles.  Most of your members are not just going to open up and share; you be prepared for accountability within the eGroup to take some time to develop.  Pray for this part of the eGroup and ask God to move, but do not tie yourself to a timetable.
• Constantly Reiterate the Confidentiality of the eGroup: It is a good idea to constantly remind your members constantly that this eGroup is a safe place to share personal feelings and reflections.  You do not have to ?make an announcement of confidentiality?, but rather just mention it in passing.  Your members will pick up on your leadership.
• Invest and Get to Know: The common saying rings true in this area:  "They won't care how much you know until they know how much you care."  In the area of accountability, your members must know that you truly care for them before they will open up their inner struggles.
• Recognize the Relationships Forming: You will have a viewpoint that your members will not have, so use it to your advantage.  Recognize who is developing a good relationship with whom, and watch to see who are becoming closer friends within the eGroup.  Use these relationships to help with the accountability process.
• Divide into Even Smaller Groups: For some people, even an eGroup is too big for them to get 'real' with others.  Do not be afraid to divide the eGroup into even further groups, or maybe as small as pairs or groups of three.  Be strategic and divide the group accordingly for strategic discussion.
• Appreciate and Affirm Those Who are Sharing: When the eGroup members finally breaks through and shares the details of their life, affirm their sharing and give the appropriate responses.  Affirm their transparency; do not grimace or overreact in a negative manner.  Be prepared to handle their sharing and take the next step with them.
• Use Practical Examples: The following some great practical ideas that eGroups can use:
  • Covenant Eyes (Internet Usage Accountability)
  • "Hot Seat" - each member takes a turn being asked difficult questions by the eGroup about pertinent topics and subjects
  • Index Card Accountability - use illustrative pieces like note cards to drive people to share

• How comfortable are you sharing your personal thoughts and struggles?  Knowing that your members are going to follow your lead, how can you set the tone and the example?
• List out a series of topics that might be a struggle for your eGroup members to share.  In other words, what are some potential common struggles that your people might be going through in their personal lives.  Pray now that your eGroup becomes a place for these struggles to be shared.