How to Train a DiscipleHow to Train a Disciple

Follow‑UpFollow‑Up

Disciple Making Disciple Making Begins with EvangelismBegins with Evangelism

If we work only with Christians in If we work only with Christians in disciple‑making disciple‑making

The net gain to the kingdom of God is The net gain to the kingdom of God is zerozero

The mark of the committed disciple - The mark of the committed disciple - aggressive evangelismaggressive evangelism

The fruit of evangelism = people to The fruit of evangelism = people to choose your Timothy to disciplechoose your Timothy to disciple

Follow-up Follow-up Spiritual PediatricsSpiritual Pediatrics

1st step in disciple‑making process is 1st step in disciple‑making process is evangelismevangelism

Engage the enemy in combat and set the Engage the enemy in combat and set the captives freecaptives free

2nd step is follow‑up 2nd step is follow‑up Spend time with a new convert to see that he Spend time with a new convert to see that he

grows and matures into the likeness of Jesus grows and matures into the likeness of Jesus ChristChrist

Spiritual Reproduction Spiritual Reproduction Spiritual Pediatrics Spiritual Pediatrics

The care and protection of a spiritual infant The care and protection of a spiritual infant until they grow and provide for themselvesuntil they grow and provide for themselves

A Father’s HeartA Father’s Heart

The Bible teaches us that God has a The Bible teaches us that God has a father’s heart - Isaiah 40‑66father’s heart - Isaiah 40‑66

Jesus taught us to refer to God as “our Jesus taught us to refer to God as “our Father” Father”

Importance of Follow‑up Importance of Follow‑up Relating to the young Christian the loving Relating to the young Christian the loving

concern that our God has shown toward usconcern that our God has shown toward us A baby being left alone without proper care – A baby being left alone without proper care –

shocking!shocking!

Fear of Becoming Fear of Becoming InvolvedInvolved

Many are afraid to become involved in Many are afraid to become involved in follow‑up follow‑up

They feel inadequateThey feel inadequate They do not think they know enough to They do not think they know enough to

become a spiritual parentbecome a spiritual parent Feelings of inadequacy are quite normal Feelings of inadequacy are quite normal

and probably will never leaveand probably will never leave No parents feel they have all the answers No parents feel they have all the answers

while raising childrenwhile raising children Follow‑up – basic guidelinesFollow‑up – basic guidelines

Ensure Proper Care & Deal Ensure Proper Care & Deal with Trouble Areaswith Trouble Areas

Waylon Moore’s oldest childWaylon Moore’s oldest child Born with lung membrane disease – prevented Born with lung membrane disease – prevented

oxygen from mixing with the bloodoxygen from mixing with the blood Children born with this disease usually die – 10% Children born with this disease usually die – 10%

chance of survivalchance of survival Grateful they had the most qualified Grateful they had the most qualified

pediatrician in the city taking care of herpediatrician in the city taking care of her Immediately put her in isolation Immediately put her in isolation Took every precaution to make sure she livedTook every precaution to make sure she lived By God’s grace, she did, and today she is a healthy By God’s grace, she did, and today she is a healthy

young womanyoung woman The care and concern the doctor gave The care and concern the doctor gave

A beautiful illustration of the involvement required A beautiful illustration of the involvement required when dealing with new Christianswhen dealing with new Christians

Go over the plan of Go over the plan of salvation salvation

1 John 5:11‑121 John 5:11‑12 ““And this is the record, that God has given to And this is the record, that God has given to

us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He that has the Son has life; and he that has not that has the Son has life; and he that has not the Son of God has not life”the Son of God has not life”

Every person who has the Son has lifeEvery person who has the Son has life Ask the new Christian, “Where is Jesus Christ Ask the new Christian, “Where is Jesus Christ

tonight?” tonight?” Wherever else they say Christ is, they should Wherever else they say Christ is, they should

also say that Christ is in their heartalso say that Christ is in their heart An illustration An illustration

A pencil inside a Bible - Bible representing A pencil inside a Bible - Bible representing Jesus Christ and the pencil, eternal lifeJesus Christ and the pencil, eternal life

Go over the plan of Go over the plan of salvation salvation 1 John 5:11-121 John 5:11-12

Many Christians live in a fog of Many Christians live in a fog of uncertaintyuncertainty

They do not understand what the They do not understand what the Scriptures teach so they lack Scriptures teach so they lack assurance of salvationassurance of salvation

Proper growth and development Proper growth and development Only come when the new Christian Only come when the new Christian

knows with assurance that he is a child knows with assurance that he is a child of God for all eternityof God for all eternity

Pray for HimPray for Him

Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-20Ephesians 1:15-23; 3:14-20 2 great prayers of Paul deal with their growth and 2 great prayers of Paul deal with their growth and

maturitymaturity Most NT prayers deal not with the unsaved, but Most NT prayers deal not with the unsaved, but

with the growth and maturity of new Christianswith the growth and maturity of new Christians Prayer is the hardest work for a Christian!Prayer is the hardest work for a Christian!

Yet, it is the most important part of follow‑upYet, it is the most important part of follow‑up Simply pray for your new Christian the same Simply pray for your new Christian the same

prayers that you find in in Ephesiansprayers that you find in in Ephesians Study the New Testament prayers and use themStudy the New Testament prayers and use them

Pray for HimPray for Him

Think through the areas in where you are Think through the areas in where you are having difficultyhaving difficulty

Then pray for others in these mattersThen pray for others in these matters ‘‘There has no temptation taken you but such There has no temptation taken you but such

as is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13)as is common to man” (1 Corinthians 10:13) All of us fight the same temptations and have All of us fight the same temptations and have

the same basic needsthe same basic needs

Visit soon & frequently Visit soon & frequently after their decision for after their decision for

ChristChrist Particularly important immediately Particularly important immediately

following conversionfollowing conversion Satan regroups and counterattacks!Satan regroups and counterattacks! The new Christian is particularly vulnerable The new Christian is particularly vulnerable He does not understand the nature of He does not understand the nature of

spiritual warfare spiritual warfare He does not know the great truths in the He does not know the great truths in the

Bible that can help him through trials and Bible that can help him through trials and temptationstemptations

Visit soon & frequently Visit soon & frequently after their decision for after their decision for

ChristChrist First 10 days of a child’s life - mother First 10 days of a child’s life - mother

with him constantlywith him constantly The older the child becomes, the less The older the child becomes, the less

frequently she needs to see himfrequently she needs to see him Also true in the spiritual lifeAlso true in the spiritual life

Most significant ministry with a new Most significant ministry with a new Christian = encouragement!Christian = encouragement!

Let him know Let him know He is now a part of the family of God He is now a part of the family of God You are brothers in ChristYou are brothers in Christ

Ensure a Proper DietEnsure a Proper Diet

When a baby is born, we bear the When a baby is born, we bear the responsibility for feeding them regularlyresponsibility for feeding them regularly

Not when we want to but when they want to Not when we want to but when they want to be fedbe fed

Often at the most inconvenient timesOften at the most inconvenient times You do not ask them to manage for You do not ask them to manage for

themselves!themselves!

What is the proper spiritual diet for a What is the proper spiritual diet for a new Christian?new Christian?

A Consistent Quiet Time A Consistent Quiet Time

Mark 1:35 Mark 1:35 ““And in the morning, rising up a great while And in the morning, rising up a great while

before day, He went out, and departed into a before day, He went out, and departed into a solitary place, and there prayed.” solitary place, and there prayed.”

Begin each day Begin each day A brief period of fellowship with the LordA brief period of fellowship with the Lord Spiritual nourishment for the daySpiritual nourishment for the day Include a time of prayer and some time in the Include a time of prayer and some time in the

Word Word

A Consistent Quiet Time A Consistent Quiet Time

Help him to be consistent with his quiet Help him to be consistent with his quiet

timetime Meet once a week for two monthsMeet once a week for two months Begin with a short period of time with the Begin with a short period of time with the

Lord Lord Better 7 minutes with the Lord every day and Better 7 minutes with the Lord every day and

stay with it, than to begin with 1 hour every stay with it, than to begin with 1 hour every

morning, and then quit in discouragementmorning, and then quit in discouragement

Bible ReadingBible Reading

1 Peter 2:21 Peter 2:2 ““As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of

the Word, that you may grow thereby”the Word, that you may grow thereby” Start with a small portion from the New Start with a small portion from the New

Testament or Psalms Testament or Psalms Read a paragraph or two Read a paragraph or two Meditate on itMeditate on it Circle one verse that is particularly meaningfulCircle one verse that is particularly meaningful

Do this for 6 mornings - on the 7th morning, Do this for 6 mornings - on the 7th morning, review the six favorite versesreview the six favorite verses

Pick out the one that is the favorite among Pick out the one that is the favorite among the favoritesthe favorites

Write on a small card and memorizeWrite on a small card and memorize

Bible StudyBible Study

Acts 20:32Acts 20:32 ““So now, brethren, I commend you to God So now, brethren, I commend you to God

and to the word of His grace, which is able to and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.”among all those who are sanctified.”

The most important goal of follow‑up The most important goal of follow‑up Teach them how to feed themselves from the Teach them how to feed themselves from the

Word of GodWord of God

Bible StudyBible Study

Learning how to feed themselves from Learning how to feed themselves from the Word of God seems like work at firstthe Word of God seems like work at first

They will be tempted to quit tryingThey will be tempted to quit trying Work closely with them, encouraging themWork closely with them, encouraging them

In the early weeks of learning how to do In the early weeks of learning how to do Bible studyBible study

Prepare the lesson with the new believer Prepare the lesson with the new believer Then have them prepare a study on their ownThen have them prepare a study on their own Meet with a group who also have done the Meet with a group who also have done the

study study Share their results and learn from one Share their results and learn from one

anotheranother

Ensure Love and Ensure Love and AffectionAffection

Love is the one thing it is impossible to Love is the one thing it is impossible to give people too much ofgive people too much of

If a child is deprived of love in the early If a child is deprived of love in the early years of his life, they may never be able to years of his life, they may never be able to truly understand what it means to love and truly understand what it means to love and be lovedbe loved

One of the basic needs in life is to be loved One of the basic needs in life is to be loved and wantedand wanted

Envelop the young Christian with love!Envelop the young Christian with love!

Invite them to your homeInvite them to your home

Meals are a good eventMeals are a good event Make them feel a part of the familyMake them feel a part of the family Make them always feel welcome in your Make them always feel welcome in your

homehome 1 Corinthians 16:151 Corinthians 16:15

““Know the house of Stephanas, that it is the Know the house of Stephanas, that it is the first fruits of Achaia, and that they have first fruits of Achaia, and that they have addicted addicted themselves to the ministry of the themselves to the ministry of the saints”saints”

Claim this verse for our own home!Claim this verse for our own home!

Involve Them in the Involve Them in the Warmth and Fellowship of Warmth and Fellowship of

the Churchthe Church Hebrews 10:25Hebrews 10:25

““Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is, but together, as the manner of some is, but exhorting one another; and so much the exhorting one another; and so much the more, as you see the day approaching”more, as you see the day approaching”

The special chemistry of believer’s The special chemistry of believer’s fellowshipfellowship

Your friends become their friendsYour friends become their friends They will observe other believers and to They will observe other believers and to

adopt their lifestyle as their ownadopt their lifestyle as their own Their old life can be discarded, and a new life Their old life can be discarded, and a new life

can begin to formcan begin to form

Take Them with YouTake Them with You

In Mark 3:14 it is written of the Lord Jesus,In Mark 3:14 it is written of the Lord Jesus, ““And He ordained twelve, that they should be And He ordained twelve, that they should be

with Him, and that He might send them forth with Him, and that He might send them forth to preach” to preach”

Travel togetherTravel together Take vacations together Take vacations together Play sports togetherPlay sports together Do things togetherDo things together

Proverbs 27:17Proverbs 27:17 ““Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the

countenance of his friend”countenance of his friend”

Ensure an Atmosphere of Ensure an Atmosphere of AcceptanceAcceptance

1 Peter 4:8, “Love covers the multitude 1 Peter 4:8, “Love covers the multitude of sins”of sins”

All children desire to be able to talk to their All children desire to be able to talk to their father about any subject without fear of father about any subject without fear of being misunderstood or reprimandedbeing misunderstood or reprimanded

Overcoming Feelings of InadequacyOvercoming Feelings of Inadequacy We all feel inadequate in our relationshipsWe all feel inadequate in our relationships It all turns out well by adding this ingredient It all turns out well by adding this ingredient

called “love”called “love” Stick close by the disciple and love him as Stick close by the disciple and love him as

you would love a member of your own familyyou would love a member of your own family God will do the restGod will do the rest