Video 7B: Holy Spirit, Devotional Practice, and Accountability

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “All right, we continue, and we are talking about the Holy Spirit, some devotional practices, and accountability—growth that depends on God and takes responsibility. We've hit on some of these things already, but we're going to dive a little deeper into them, and also spend some time talking about follow-up and accountability.”

Professor Abigail Munroe: “So, dependence on the Holy Spirit. As a Soul Coach, particularly staying in this Christian space, we have the honor of continually pointing our clients back to Him. Using terminology like, 'Holy Spirit, convict me, comfort me, strengthen me, and guide me into one faithful step.'

Professor Abigail Dominiak: "Devotional practice matters. I think this is always so important. If you're working as a Christian Soul Coach, you're going to want to encourage your clients, as well as yourself, to make sure devotional practices are happening—prayer, Scripture, worship, time with the Lord, church attendance, confession, gratitude, fasting, service, and Christian fellowship.”

Professor Abigail Munroe: making sure that these things fit the person's real life. So, for example, you know, a tired single parent who's overwhelmed may just need that small rhythm shift. A new believer may need simple scripture. A grieving person may need lament before gratitude. So, sometimes it's these obvious small things that really can make a difference in coaching a person to see that is so cornerstone. So, questions for your practice, or for practice, what practice would help you turn toward God this week? Again, as a soul coach, we're pointing our clients to Christ. What rhythm is small enough to be to begin and meaningful enough to matter? Where do you need grace, not just discipline?

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “Yeah, and you know, accountability is so important here, and that's the role of both people in their life, but also the coach is trying to provide some accountability here. So, again, this accountability support, you need to make sure that they don't feel that it's surveillance, controlling, shaming them for failure, but it is loving support for faithfulness, and they're excited about the accountability that you, as the coach, will bring to them.

Professor Abigail Munroe: "Creating that safe space is important so that when you ask, 'How did last week go?' they're willing to tell the truth. They don't feel judged or ashamed if they weren't living up to the goals they had set.”

Professor Abigail Dominiak:“Growth is not isolated. Hebrews 10:24–25 says, 'Consider how to provoke one another to love and good works. Do not forsake assembling together... exhort one another.'

This is super important—to have community. Yes, you as the coach are providing some of that support, but it goes beyond that.

As we're going to talk about here on this next slide, who else should know about this step? Let's say you're talking to someone who is in a really good place with their spouse. Maybe it would be a good idea for them to tell their spouse about the step they're taking so they can come alongside them in accountability.

Again, as a coach, you may not see them until your next meeting, so you want to make sure there are other people praying for them. Of course, you're praying for them and providing accountability, but is there also a pastor, a mentor, a counselor, a recovery group, or a trusted friend who can help them with the step they're going to take?”

Professor Abigail Munroe: “Making sure we match the seriousness of the situation is important. For something like gratitude or habit formation, a friend or small group may be enough. But if there is addiction, abuse or abusive behavior, danger, severe depression or anxiety, or other destructive behavior, more support may be needed. That's where pastoral oversight, professional care, recovery support, or safety intervention may be appropriate.”

Professor Abigail Dominiak: “Follow-up says that growth matters. I think a lot of people feel unseen, even regarding small wins. Follow-up is such a beautiful opportunity as a coach to come alongside someone.

It's important that before you dive into the session, you always begin with follow-up. Ask questions like: What did you notice this week from the one faithful step? Where did you experience grace? What was hard? What might need to change in the plan you made? What is the next faithful step?

As you begin your session—and especially if you've been meeting with a client over multiple weeks and they've been taking faithful steps—these questions become really helpful before they identify the next step.”

Professor Abigail Munroe: “Focusing on support, not fear. Again, follow-up should create feelings of support. The goal is not for the client to prove success to you. Like we've said, the goal is to keep walking honestly before Christ, to keep refining the plan, and to keep taking those next faithful steps.

The client should never feel like they were set up for failure or that you're there to judge the steps they took. They don't need to prove themselves—they need to feel supported.”