Originally Published: 2020

I never realized how much growth can come from vulnerability, or how much change can be produced by simply sharing your struggles with another human being. 

I never knew how incredible it could be to take part in a community where women are dedicated to fighting alongside one another in faith as they strive to pursue Christ and commit to hold one another accountable.

It truly is a beautiful thing.

And although I’ve been going to church my entire life, it wasn’t until a few months ago that I got a small taste of this kind of authentic Christian fellowship.

It all began with a weekly prayer group on campus led by one of my best friends, Shelby. The group was small, but we all thought it was so important to have other women who were willing to pray for and with each other.

I’ll admit that at first it was a little uncomfortable. I think it’s safe to say that we all had a bit of a hard time opening up in the beginning. Sometimes it’s hard to know what to share or how much to share. Fear of vulnerability is real y’all and it can be paralyzing!

Over time, we began to feel more comfortable getting specific about what was really going on in our lives. We even developed a set of questions to help direct the conversation and get straight to the point.

Every time we gathered together we would go around the circle asking these three questions:

It can be pretty scary to share personal struggles or talk about the hurt you’ve experienced in the past. There can be a lot of shame in admitting that you haven’t been spending time with God or are wrestling with your faith. It takes humility, it takes courage, and it takes trust.

But once you can get to that place of vulnerability, that is where the real growth happens!!!

It is within the context of genuine, christian fellowship and discipleship that we are able to experience tremendous growth in our faith, relationships, and character. When someone knows the struggles you face and the temptations you endure, you don’t have to fight them alone! Instead, you have women who can not only pray for you and encourage you, but can also provide a good kick in the pants if you need it 😉 .

— NOTE: When choosing women to participate in this kind of community, it is VITAL that you pick women whom you trust and express the necessity of confidentiality to all of those involved. Otherwise, you run the risk of some pretty nasty drama filled with gossip and back stabbing. —

As Christian women, we have access to so many resources that are meant to encourage us in our faith and foster that kind of community. But how many of you, like me, have found that sense of community lacking when it comes to the women among your local body of believers?

It pains me to think of all the beautiful Christian women out there who have never experienced that kind of community…never felt that kind of support from other believers.

And well, I think that needs to change.

If we are to cultivate a community of genuine fellowship and discipleship with the women around us, we must intentionally seek out relationships built on trust that prompt our development towards spiritual maturity.

In the past, when I heard the word “accountability,” my mind would immediately associate it with weakness. Although I may not have said it out loud, I used to think that accountability groups were only for people who were facing “major” addictions or sin struggles and were not strong enough to resist temptation on their own. 

But the more I thought about it, the more I began to realize: 

When it comes to sin, every struggle is “major.”

Accountability is not just for those dealing with addictions like substance abuse or porn…

Accountability is not just for those dealing with substantial emotional or relational crises…

Accountability is for sinners.

And that includes you.

A Biblical Basis for Accountability

I believe that gathering together with other women for accountability and prayer is essential in order to cultivate this kind of community in our everyday lives. In fact, I believe that this is something that we are called by God to do!

James five tells us that we are to confess our sins to one another and pray for each other so that we can experience healing (5:16). Similarly, believers are told repeatedly throughout scripture that they are to hold each other accountable for the sin in their lives.

While I could go through all of the supporting texts on this topic, what I really want to do is challenge YOU to study it for yourself. In order to help you get started, I created a list of references & resources that you can use to dive deeper into this issue (scroll to the end of the blog post and you’ll see them 🙂 )!

Please feel free to let me know your thoughts in the comments below or dm me on Instagram! I’d love to hear what you have to say! Also…I am currently developing a guide with practical steps you can implement in order to help you to develop this kind of community in your life! Keep a look out for that on my social media. I should have it ready within the next week or so!

Praying for you all! ❤

— Kindra

For Further Study

Scripture References:

Extra-Biblical Resources: