Discipleship 101 "The Church MUST follow-up!

Imagine that you're about to be a parent; in nine months you'll have a child. You're excited and scared and want to learn everything possible about parenthood. So you read books, decorate the nursery, ask people for advice and prepare for the big day. When that day finally comes, you go to the hospital, and after many hours, the baby is born. High fives. Cheers. You call your family.

And then you decide to leave the baby at the hospital.

If you did this, everyone would think you were crazy and a bad parent. Yet spiritually, we often have the same approach to new believers in Christ. We put so much energy into bringing them to Christ (praying for them, bringing them to evangelistic events, helping answer their questions), and then we stop. In a sense, we leave them at the nursery. But when a person accepts Christ, our work is only just beginning. The first few years—and even the first 24 hours—are vital in establishing a new believer's walk with the Lord.

The process of helping a new believer grow in his faith is often called "follow-up." During this time, new believers can begin to grow in maturity and learn to become multiplying disciples—Christians who help others come to Christ and grow in their new faith. Here are a few essential elements to guide you in helping new believers grow.

1. Prayer

In the first chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul prayed for his disciples, confident that God was going to complete the work He started in them. Throughout the gospels, Jesus also prayed for His disciples.

In the same way, it is important for us to pray for new believers, trusting God to work in their lives. Praying with them shows that we care for them. It also gives them an example of what it looks like to communicate with God.

2. Word of God

In the second chapter of 1 Thessalonians, Paul mentions that he shared the Word of God with them. It is essential for new believers to learn how to read the Bible and listen to God from His Word. We know from experience that we grow in our faith by consistently studying the Bible and spending time with Him. God's Word is our spiritual food, and we can't live without it.

3. Building a loving relationship

In addition to teaching spiritual things, we must also share our lives with new believers, being open and honest about the good and bad as well as what God is teaching us. Get together and do fun things. Go shopping, play video games or go out to lunch. When you become someone's friend, you show who you are and that it can be fun to be a Christian.

Paul mentions that he is like a spiritual parent to the new believers: "But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children" (1 Thessalonians 2:7). We, too, can be like caring parents for new believers—watching over them, nurturing them, encouraging them, correcting them and keeping them accountable.

4. Fellowship with other believers

Another part of follow-up is introducing new believers to other Christians who can encourage them and support them in this new phase of life. Invite new believers to come to your Bible study or church. If you are meeting with them to go through follow-up materials, ask some of your Christian friends to come too. This way they can make new friends, hear different perspectives and learn from others.

5. Encourage them to tell others about Christ

It's never too early to encourage new believers to talk to others about how God has changed their lives. This will help to solidify their faith and show how God is working. When you share your faith with others, take them along and train them in how to share the gospel. Then they can be multiplying disciples and see God touch others' lives like He has touched their lives.

6. Don't forget the Holy Spirit

The Holy Spirit's role is essential. Help new believers understand who the Holy Spirit is and what it means to walk in the Spirit's power, not their own power. If we try to live the Christian life on our own, we will just fall away.

As soon as possible, make a transition from sharing the gospel to initiating follow-up. New believers might have questions and doubts, and it's important to support and encourage them right away.

In follow-up, we can play an important part, but ultimately it is God who is doing the work. Don't be offended if people aren't interested. God is the one who is pursing them and He will bring about fruit. He has promised in His Word to bring about the good work that He has begun in us.

My Girl Just Turned 6

It's so hard to believe, but Arianna is 6 now. Actually, her birthday was yesterday. We asked her what kind of party she wanted - and she said I want a CoCo Key party. CoCo Key is an amazing indoor waterpark / attached to the Sheraton in Kansas City. We left yesterday morning - and had a 2 day pass to CoCo Key and an overnight stay in the Sheraton. What a BLAST we had.

We surprised Ari with her very own CRAB dinner! Ari loves crab legs - can you say expensive? Last night for her birthday dinner - we all went to Joe's Crab Shack. She loved it, and we all had a great time.

Well, we're now back home, and kids are in bed. I'm quite tired out too from all of the festivities - but all in all - it was great.

Blessings to all - and to all a good night :)

Life In Grant City

I'm sorry that's it's been so long since I've blogged, but here's the latest. We are alas getting setted in. Grant City has been a great change for my family. The kids are enjoying their new school - making friends quickly; Holly is enjoying working from home, and I am getting used to pastoring again.

We have fallen in love with the people, and they have made us feel at home from day one. We still have a few boxes (in the garage) to unpack, but the house is coming together quite nicely.

We started off the new year with prayer. On New Year’s Eve, the church was open from 6:00 p.m. until midnight. Individuals or families were encouraged to come in during that time for personal prayer and communion.

Prayer guides were distributed for January with an emphasis on men’s ministry. Baptist Men put out the free guides that include a daily scripture/prayer for the entire month. A Men’s Breakfast was held on January 10 ( 16 men attended ).

We are going to have a Family Fun Night on January 24 with a movie and munchies for the Sunday School kids and their parents.

Last weekend, we had some dear friends from my former pastorate come and visit with us. It was almost 4 years since we last saw them - but we were able to pick right up where we left off. That's the amazing things about friends - it's like time never passed.

I am looking forward to great and mighty things to come, and would covet your prayers as we seek God's plan for our new ministry here.

BLESSINGS!!