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Immediate Follow-Up
Keith A. Shearer
1. Teach the Assurance of Salvation
a. Repeat your analytical questions: make sure that now the new believer can answer questions correctly
b. Go over 1 John 5:13 with the new believer; emphasize that they can know that they have eternal life
c. Go over John 10:28, 29 with the new believer; emphasize that the reason we can have assurance is that God keeps us secure
d. Explain that likely the new believer will have doubts because Satan will try to sidetrack them as soon as possible; encourage the new believer to rely upon the promises of these verses
e. Other verses on assurance and security: John 6:39, John 6:47, Romans 8:35-39, Ephesians 1:13-14, Philippians 1:6, 2 Timothy 1:12, 1 Peter 1:3-5
2. Stress the Importance of the Bible
a. Go over 1 Peter 2:2 - the word is the means of growth
b. Give the new believer an assignment to read through as much as possible of the Gospel of John each day for the next week: as they read, encourage them to write down any questions they might have and also to circle the word "believe" or the word "faith" whenever it appears in the text
c. Set up a time to meet one week later (sooner if possible) to answer the questions and encourage further growth
3. Explain the "Four Talks"
The Four Talks
Talk #1: God talks to us - The Bible (1 Peter 2:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)
Talk #2: We talk to God - Prayer (Matthew 7:7, Philippians 4:6-7)
Talk #3: We talk to other Christians - Fellowship (Hebrews 10:24-25)
Talk #4: We talk to Non-Christians - witnessing (1 Peter 3:15, Mark 16:15)
These four points will have to be reviewed many times during the first several weeks of the new Christian's growth. Because these are the basics of the Christian life, they must be learned.
4. Begin to introduce the New Believer to other Christians
5. Invite the New Believer to a Bible study/fellowship class and Worship Service this Sunday
a. If possible, pick them up and bring them
b. Take them out for breakfast or coffee before the Bible study/fellowship class if possible
c. Do not tell them, "Now that you are a Christian you have to start coming to church." The Christian life is not rules for the sake of rules.
d. Instead, stress that church is a place where they can learn the Bible, (Talk #1) and meet other Christians who are like-minded (Talk #3)
6. During Initial weeks of follow-up
a. Do not expect instant growth and maturity out of a new believer - give them some room to fail and struggle
b. Spend as much time with them as they want to spend with you (within reason of course)
c. Let them hear you pray often
d. Reinforce their assurance of salvation frequently
e. Review "The Four Talks" often
f. Begin to utilize new christian books and tape series, or some other materials you may feel are helpful
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