When asked in a safe environment where honesty, vulnerability, confidentiality, and grace are valued, accountability questions can stimulate conversations about character and confession of sin (Proverbs 27:17, James 5:16).

The lists below include a number of good questions that seek to uncover specific sins. However, before even getting to those questions, you might first consider the enduring value of the following questions:

“Is there anything you really do not want to talk about?”

Or,

“Is there anything you should tell us that you’re hoping nobody will ask?”

These are good questions, leading questions, that prompt us to search our hearts to see if there's something we ought to confess.

Questions to ask regularly:

• Has your testimony this week been faithful to the love you have for Jesus Christ in both your words and actions? How?
• Did you abide through prayer and Bible reading this week? What specifically are you moved to change or apply this week and how are you going to apply it?
• Have you been patient, gentle, and forbearing in your relationships this week (specifically with spouse, children, friends, co-workers)? Where could you have done better? How will you improve?
• Have you been encouraging/exhorting others in their walk with Christ this week (specifically spouse, children, friends, co-workers)? In what circumstances?

Questions to ask as necessary when you begin seeing strongholds or suffering:

• Have you been exposed to sexually alluring material or allowed your mind to entertain inappropriate sexual thoughts about another this week?
• Have you lacked integrity in your financial dealings or coveted something that does not belong to you?
• Have you damaged another person by your words, either behind their back or face-to-face?
• Have you given in to an addictive behavior this past week? Explain.
• Have you continued to be bitter or angry toward another?
• Have you given into fear or worry this week?
• If the answer to any of the above is “yes” ask, “What corrective steps are you ready to take now?”

Questions to ask to drill deeper when you see concerning patterns: