Discussion Jumpstarter
Study leader reference - not a definitive answer
Question 10
Joy said the “only way” she finally won the battle for consistent disciplines (Scripture, prayer, memorizing, evangelism) was accountability, even when it initially felt like “checking a box,” and she also insisted women may struggle deeply with sexual addiction and need structured accountability (like Freedom Groups); what would a church community shaped by the New Testament “together” reality (Acts 2; 1 Cor 12; 1 John 1:7) actually do with struggles like prayerlessness, porn, and hidden sin—and what keeps us from wanting that kind of known-and-asked-about life?
Another way to ask: Joy says real accountability is what helped her stay steady in Bible reading, prayer, evangelism, and fighting sexual sin. What would a church that truly lives like a “together” family do when people struggle with prayerlessness, porn, or hidden sin, and why do we avoid being that known?
Discussion Jumpstarter
Direct Answer
Joy envisions a “together” church where members are truly known—asking each other direct questions, sharing suffering and rejoicing, and building structured accountability for disciplines and purity. What keeps us from wanting that life is the desire to stay hidden, comfortable, and self-directed, even though Joy argues we cannot grow without being known.
- Joy: “The only way I finally won the battle… was through accountability,” with women who would “ask me every week if I had done these things.”
- She admits it sometimes started as “checking a box,” but it “was building a habit,” and later became heartfelt desire.
- She insists on church “together” life: “You need the church… Everything we do… is together.”
- She uses Acts 2 imagery (daily together, breaking bread) and says you won’t find anyone commended for not being part of believers.
- 1 Corinthians 12:26 applied: the church should know “what you’re suffering over and what you’re rejoicing with.” If they don’t, “you’re not using the church.”
- On purity: women can “suffer severely with sexual addictions,” and she says you likely won’t overcome without accountability; she mentions “Freedom Groups” as structured help.