If you’re a student, having an accountability partner who helps you follow Jesus can make a huge difference. Here’s a step-by-step guide—based on Biblical truths—to developing a strong accountability relationship with someone your age.
1. Pray for and Ask the Right Friend
- Ask God to help you find a friend who wants to follow Jesus and encourage you in your faith (2 Timothy 2:22).
- It is important that your accountability friendship is gender-specific (males with males, females with females)
- It is really helpful if this is someone from your church.
2. Set clear goals
- Invite your friend to meet regularly to help each other grow in Christ.
- Tell them why accountability matters to you: “Hey, I’d love for us to check in and encourage each other to live for Christ.”
- Set goals for Scripture memory, Bible reading, and how often to meet together.
3. Meet Up Regularly and Pray Together
- Pick a time to meet each week or every other week—it could be before school, after youth group, or even over the phone.
- Start or end by praying for each other’s struggles and wins.
4. Be Honest—Even When It’s Hard
- Don’t just talk about sports, classes, or fun stuff. Ask each other real questions:
- How are you doing with your walk with God?
- Are you making good choices (with your thoughts, phone and online)?
- Have you been reading the Bible
- How’s your attitude at home?
- Share your struggles openly. James 5:16 says, “Confess your sins to each other and pray for each other.”
5. Call One Another Forward—But Don’t Be Hard on Each Other
- Challenge each other to memorize a Bible verse, pray daily, or stay away from things that pull you away from God.
- Don’t expect perfection—just help each other take the next step.
6. Forgive and Keep Encouraging
- If you or your friend mess up or say something hurtful, talk about it and forgive each other like Jesus forgave you (Colossians 3:13).
- Always encourage, pray, and be patient. We all mess up!
7. Be Flexible—Life Changes Fast
- You might get busy with school, family, or sports. It’s okay! Try to keep at it
- Use texts or calls to check in (during breaks in school, over the summer, etc.)
8. Cheer Each Other On in Faith
- Remind each other of God’s promises and the hope you have in Jesus.
- Celebrate when you see God working in your lives.
9. Keep Jesus in the Center
- Let your friendship help you both know Jesus better, not just be “good people.”
- Remember: It’s all about God’s grace, not your performance (Ephesians 2:8-9).
