Helping New Christians Grow
The apostle Peter refers to new Christians as newborn infants who need special care and attention to continue to grow in their new life as a believer in Christ (see 1 Peter 2:2).
Some have thought that "evangelism" (spreading the message of Christ and bringing people to a point of decision) consists mainly in getting people to make decisions for Christ. But if people quickly go back to their life without a relationship with God, then what is the point?
New Testament evangelism has not occurred until the new Christian has found their place in the family of believers and has found a local church where people who care about them will help them to continue to grow in their faith. When you are part of efforts that spread the message of Christ, the job isn't done. You can provide the encouragement and guidance that a new believer needs.
A Clear Goal
The Bible clearly makes the point that the goal for every believer is to be like Christ. Christ never intended His followers to be undisciplined and immature (see Ephesians 4:14,15). God is always there to help each believer in the sometimes painful process of growing in their faith. The church can really help the spiritual growth of the new believer by providing friendship, positive influence, and training.
Friendship
The person who has just experienced salvation immediately begins to develop a love for Christ. He also needs to feel loved and appreciated. One way he can experience the love of Christ is through the lives of other Christians. Friendship is crucially important at this time. Friendships with non-Christian that are based on superficiality may come to an abrupt end. Thus, many new believers have felt lonely and alienated.
You can help someone establish their new identity as a Christian by having them list the names of close friends and relatives they see on a regular basis. Then go visit several of these people with the new believer and let them know what has happened in the believer's life. If possible, this should be done within the first week after his decision to follow Christ. During these visits it is important that you allow the individual to express himself. Be ready to offer assistance such as answering questions, explaining biblical passages, sharing the basic beliefs of your church, etc.
There are two reasons for these meetings: First, it will help the new believer overcome any apprehension in sharing their new faith. As they explain their new life in Christ to their friends and family, they will gain confidence to witness. Second, it gives the relatives and friends an immediate explanation for the change in behavior and life-style. Also, you may find opportunity during these visits to lead people to Christ.
As the individual whom God has used to bring this person into the family of God, you have a responsibility to provide the friendship needed at this time. This will involve a commitment on your part. You must be available. Questions will need to be answered. Encouragement and guidance will need to be given. As you become a friend to this individual, it is likely he will want to imitate your life. You will become a pattern and an example to follow. God can help you become the kind of friend who will help the new convert adjust to his new life in Christ.
Social Interaction and Belonging
Most people also feel a need to belong. In almost every community, there are various clubs and organizations which exist because people want to belong. The strength of a person's commitment is often determined by the degree to which the organization provides for meaningful participation.
The same is true for those who identify with a local church. Enthusiasm, loyalty, and faithfulness can be encouraged by making provision for social interaction and ministry. Studies that have been conducted in the area of church growth reveal that the first three to six months after a person has become a follower of Christ are crucial. People who attend and then leave a church within that period of time usually can name no new friends in the church. On the other hand, individuals who stay in the church after that same period of time can name seven or eight new friends. The implication is powerful: for a new believer to grow in their faith, friendship and belonging are important factors.
Just as God's Word speaks to the whole man, so also the church should provide ministries which help develop the total person. We observe from the life of Christ that He matured intellectually, physically, spiritually, and socially (see Luke 2:52). Spiritual growth occurs through the worship service and the preaching of the Word. Discovering the value of corporate prayer can only be learned when in the company of fellow believers.
Involvement in social activities will strengthen the biblical concept of the church being a spiritual family in Christ. By providing recreation and small-group involvement, the church can also aid the physical and social development of the new believer.
The way Christian "brothers and sisters in Christ" relate to each other should differ from what is expected in the world. It is vitally important that the new believer feel welcome and a part of the group. By introducing the person to other Christians, especially those who have similar interests, you can help strengthen the new believer's ties with the local church.
The church provides many opportunities for social interaction and belonging that allow the new convert to express their new life in Christ. As they share with other Christians and learn how to relate to other members of the body of Christ, their faith and walk with God will be strengthened. The excitement that accompanies new discoveries in Christ can provide an enthusiastic stimulus for continued efforts in evangelism.
Keep in mind that all of this isn't so that we can add numbers or feel good about ourselves, but because we really care about someone's spiritual condition. Pray that God would give you unconditional love for all different kinds of people.
Training
There comes a point when the Christian needs to progress to biblical truth and teachings of Christ and what those mean to the progressing spiritual life of the believer.
God gave us a mind. It is important that we feel emotionally connected to God. It is crucial that we have a spiritual faith that goes beyond understanding and feeling. But our faith is not blind and unfounded. It is based on the eternal, unchangeable truth of God's Word. Sound biblical training can give a better understanding of the balance between faith and reason in the Christian life. Often, it is during the Bible study where new discoveries are made. Simple things that we take for granted, such as how to use
Bible handbooks and concordances and the relationship of both Testaments, are all new and important for someone who is being exposed to this information for the first time.
Through training you can also encourage personal discipline. The Bible clearly states that we are not our own (see 1 Corinthians 6:19,20). We have a responsibility to God, and it is important for the new believer to understand what that responsibility is.
Training can also provide motivation for sharing their faith with other. It is extremely important that a new Christian be trained and motivated to become actively involved in sharing the message of Christ. This is one way you can continue the momentum of evangelism in your church.
The C.R.O.S.S. Follow-up Plan
What should you do after you have won a person to the Lord? You may have asked yourself this question. Perhaps you have never won another individual to Christ. As stated earlier, your relationship with the new believer in the days immediately following their decision is extremely important. By keeping the following points in mind, you can effectively train, motivate, and preserve individuals for the kingdom of God.
Contact the convert the next day. It is very important to make some kind of contact the following day with the person you have won to the Lord. If at all possible, it should a brief visit. If a visit is not possible, then at least a phone call should be made.
Review what happened when he accepted Christ. Briefly rehearse the plan of salvation and ask them to express in his own words what happened to him. Make sure there is no misunderstanding concerning the Biblical definition of salvation and his experience.
Offer to bring them to church. Invite them to attend church with you. Stress the importance of meeting with other Christians. You should encourage them to attend the next scheduled service. Also make sure you sit with them during the service to answer any questions they might have.
Schedule to meet again within 5 days. At this meeting you can begin to provide training materials to facilitate Christian growth. You should also offer to answer any questions which might have arisen since they gave their heart to the Lord. Undoubtedly there will be some things that will need to be answered. If you do not know the answer at that time, then assure the person that you will find an answer and will share it with him on your next visit. From this point on, it would be good to meet with the individual at least once a week in addition to attending church services together. If something unexpected comes up and you cannot meet at your regular time during any given week, then for that week plan to meet at a different time. It is very important that you maintain regular contact with this new Christian until he becomes stronger in the Lord. If, for any reason, you cannot maintain a schedule with him, then make sure another Christian is able to take your place.
Share in prayer. Before you leave, it is always good to have prayer together. You can encourage the new believer to pray by sharing with them a prayer request of your own. In turn, you can ask them if there is anything he would like you to pray about. Help the new believer to see the value of daily prayer and Bible study. Let them know that they can participate in effective prayer by simply conversing with God.
The training and discipleship of new believers takes time and effort. But when done conscientiously, it pays valuable dividends for the kingdom of God. Ask God to use you in evangelism. Expect witnessing opportunities to be presented each day. Utilize the information and training you have gained through this course to bring people to a point of decision. Then accept the responsibility that comes with spiritual parenthood. Be willing to devote your time and attention to that new life in Christ. Remember, the goal for every Christian is to mature and to become more like Christ. As you put into practice what you have learned and what you know to be true, you will experience the joy and excitement of life-style evangelism.
See www.yausa.com for additional follow-up resources