Honest about their own weaknesses. Not a member of the opposite sex. After you've identified a partner, start slow. It will take time to build up to the level of trust and intimacy that characterizes a good accountability relationship. Over a period of weeks, you can move into more specific and intimate details.
Location is key.
Meet for lunch, breakfast, dinner, coffee, your office, their home, etc. Take advantage of that. Memorize Scripture together, read a book and discuss a chapter each week, read through the Bible in a year, swap ideas on family devotions, study a book of the Bible or a topic and share your findings each week, take up a new sport together, take a class together. Do the things good friends do. Chris, who currently directs the Disciplemakers International ministry, has served as director of the Athletes in Action track team and has published one book, Personal Disciplemaking .