Discipleship: Proper Follow-Up (120325)

Text: Matthew 28:19-20

Question: When an individual has accepted Christ as their Savior, is the soul-winner’s job complete?

Question: When an individual has accepted Christ as their Savior, is the local church’s job complete?

So, if you are part of that local church, whether you are the soul-winner or simply a member, your job is not complete simply because a person accepts Christ as their Savior.

Ask yourself this question: What part of the Great Commission am I involved in?

When an individual has accepted Christ as their Savior, the whole matter of the “Great Commission” is only ¼ complete.

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations - Salvation

Baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost - Baptism

Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you – Discipleship

Seeing the new convert come full circle to now become the one sharing the Gospel (“Go…”) and seeing individuals through this process as well!

We see this process at work in the 1st century church in the book of Acts:

Acts 2:41–42 KJV 1900

Then they that gladly received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls. And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

The Bible teaches that a new Christian is like a newborn baby. In a sense, follow-up work is like “spiritual pediatrics.”

The soul-winner has the responsibility to do everything possible to help a new Christian get the right start in their Christian life.

1 Peter 2:2 KJV 1900

As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:

It is my belief that our churches many times are filled with individuals who have been saved yet who are still like those “newborn” babies; they’ve never grown.

Because of that, many Christians continue to struggle with things in their Christian lives that they should have already gotten a handle on and gotten past.

2 Peter 1:8–9 KJV 1900

For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins.

Continue Discipleship

The Continue Discipleship is a 13 week one-on-one discipleship program designed to

Everyone should either be a discipler or a disciplee.

Question: Who should take the responsibility for these things in the life of a new believer?

The individual who led them to the Lord. If that is not possible, then someone needs to step up and take the responsibility.

Acts 9:26–27 KJV 1900

And when Saul was come to Jerusalem, he assayed to join himself to the disciples: but they were all afraid of him, and believed not that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles, and declared unto them how he had seen the Lord in the way, and that he had spoken to him, and how he had preached boldly at Damascus in the name of Jesus.

Briefly, these things are involved in discipleship…

Assurance

Although the topic of assurance should be covered immediately after a person receives Jesus Christ as their Savior, it is also important for this to be the first aspect of follow-up

The individual can know that they have eternal life.

1 John 5:13 KJV 1900

These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

Because Jesus is powerful enough to keep him until the day of His return. (2 Timothy 1:12)

2 Timothy 1:12 KJV 1900

For the which cause I also suffer these things: nevertheless I am not ashamed: for I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to keep that which I have committed unto him against that day.

Assurance is more a process of reviewing the Biblical truths of salvation than merely “encouraging” the new believer.

Baptism

Turn to and read Acts 8:27-38.

Baptism is the first step of obedience a new believer will take.

Baptism identifies the new believer with Jesus Christ.

Baptism is an outward picture of the inward change of the new believer.

Baptism builds the confidence of the new believer.

Biblical baptism is by immersion.

Church Attendance

According to the Great Commission, after a person is saved and baptized, he is to be taught to observe the commandments of Christ, which are embodied in the Bible.

The institution that has been established by Christ for the purpose of building up the saints is the local church.

1 Timothy 3:15 KJV 1900

But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.

Hebrews 10:24–25 KJV 1900

And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

“…let us consider one another…”

Our faithfulness in attending our local church isn’t just about us; it’s about others!

Turn to and read Ephesians 4:11-16.

It has been observed that a new Christian who is planted in the “planter box” of a local church has a greater chance for Christian growth than the new convert that neglects church attendance.

But church attendance alone does not guarantee success.

We need to go from simple church attendance to church involvement.

Personal Devotions

Two of the greatest areas in which a new Christian needs direction are prayer and Bible study.

2 Timothy 3:16–17 KJV 1900

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Ephesians 6:18 KJV 1900

Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;

Note: A formal, “one on one” discipleship will give help in this area.

A new believer should be encouraged to set aside a specific time each day for systematic Bible study.

Note: The new believer should understand that Bible study is not merely about “learning the Bible” but about learning about the God of the Bible.

A new believer should be encouraged to “journal” or write down observations, questions, etc. that arise as they read God’s Word.

A new believer should be encouraged to pray before and after they study the Bible.

Before to ask the Holy Spirit to lead them into truth. (John 16:13)

After to ask the Holy Spirit’s help in applying Biblical principles to life.

These are just basic and by no means “all inclusive.”

The Importance of Fellowship

Acts 2:42 KJV 1900

And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.

Fellowship for a new believer is important.

They are going to need to replace the “old crowd” with the “new crowd.”

However, fellowship should be done on purpose and with a purpose.

That purpose should be to glorify God and encourage the new believer to draw closer to God.

When you have the opportunity to fellowship with others (particularly new believers or “young” believers)…

Speak about things which will be useful for the spiritual edification of the new Christian.

Speak highly of the church and of the pastoral staff.

Talk about the joys of being a Christian.

Introduce the new Christian to other Christians.

Have patience with the new Christian who has not learned to control their vocabulary and habits.

The Importance of Soul-Winning

I won’t say much about this other than to say that a new believer needs to be encouraged to immediately begin sharing his faith with others.

They will increase in boldness and will grow in their spiritual knowledge as they are confronted with the challenges and questions that arise in active soul winning.

In the words of one famous company, “Just Do It!”

Being an Example

1 Corinthians 11:1 KJV 1900

Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Every soul-winner – and every Christian for that matter – must be conscious of the fact that they are being watched and consequently should endeavor to be a godly example.

Obviously, the goal is to direct others to follow the example of Jesus Christ and of Him alone.

To understand further the importance of setting a proper example, let’s look at the Apostle Paul’s relationship to the Christians at Thessalonica.

Turn to and read 1 Thessalonians 1:5-7.

There are three important steps to notice from these verses in regard to setting an example for the new Christian.

Paul was the right example. (vs. 5)

The Thessalonians followed Paul’s example. (vs. 6)

The Thessalonians became examples. (vs. 7)

The matter of follow-up and discipleship may not always be glamorous, but it is the vital link that must be provided from birth to maturity.

I’ll close with this…

Follow-up and discipleship require two things…

Time & Effort

Intentionality