This blog highlights our Accountability Group program that is part of the Student Life department at the Institute for G.O.D. Undergraduate students are placed in an accountability group where they practice vulnerable, honest conversations. Learning how to evaluate their day-to-day choices in light of the biblical values they are learning in the classroom is an essential component to their holistic development. Doing so in the context of their relationship to one another is essential to living in community." - Jen Nyago, Director of Community & Student Life
One of the first things our students at the Institute are introduced to when they move on campus is their ‘student accountability group.’ For us, accountability is a value that we want students to capture from the beginning. Student accountability groups provide a designated venue for them to debrief what they are learning inside and outside of the classroom, share goals they want to be held accountable to, and provide support to others who are in a similar stage of life.
For some students, this can feel overwhelming at first. Many of our students come from dominant cultures that value independence over interdependence and ‘speaking my truth’ over asking questions, seeking understanding and perspective taking. Our society doesn’t tutor us to be accountable for our decisions or to even probe others about their actions. In contrast, we want our students to learn that accountability is a biblical value that takes intentionality and is not something they will ever grow out of needing. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, “and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.” Giving and receiving accountability necessitates prioritizing connection. We also know it takes practice and this is a pivotal time for students to learn such a life giving and powerful value!
Our student life team prayerfully and strategically places each student in a group and then schedules times for them to routinely gather throughout the school year. During their meeting times, they’re provided with thought provoking questions to help them consider their moment in light of what they are learning from the Word and even address current issues the student body may be dealing with at that time.
Through our student accountability groups, we want students to experience how they can develop a strong network of support through their shared understanding of God’s word and connection with one another. In this process, their perspectives will get challenged. There will be days they’ll want to skip their accountability group because it’s easier to hide than be vulnerable or take responsibility for their actions. But as they continue to press in and grow with each other, they can learn what it means to practically live out Proverbs 27:17, ‘as iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.’ In their groups, they also learn other healthy practices, like showing mutual respect, maintaining confidentiality, being an active listener, demonstrating grace and compassion, pursuing conflict resolution, and more.
Learning accountability as students sets them up to be healthier, spiritually mature adults that can address real life issues with the Word as their guide. As they learn to prioritize accountability now, we hope to instill in our students the value of pursuing accountability in all the stages of life ahead of them!