“It is far easier to reach teenagers than to keep them, it’s much easier to win converts than to do the thing Jesus asked us to do: to make disciples”1 The new convert must be followed up as soon as possible, to be sure they understand what has happened to them and learn from Scripture how they can be sure of their salvation. They need guidelines on developing their relationship with Christ, including reading Scripture, prayer, Christian living, church involvement and evangelism.
1. Follow Up Humanity Level Youth
Should a humanity level youth give their life to Christ, they must be followed up by the person who led them to Christ or be placed into a follow up group. Lee Strobels’ strategy continues: (1) Once Harry commits himself to Christ, he begins attending a meeting geared for new-believers; (2) Harry joins a small group designed to help him grow spiritually; and (3) Harry discovers, develops and deploys his spiritual gift in order to honour God and build the group. Some general considerations on follow up that apply to all levels of commitment are: (1) arrange for a public profession of faith; (2) teach them about the need to be baptized; (3) encourage them to attend a church where they will study the Bible, fellowship and serve; (4) teach them to practise daily devotions; and (5) encourage them to share their faith.
2. Follow Up Come Level Youth
David Veerman in Youth Evangelism suggests the following strategy for follow up: (1) Immediate follow through - as soon as they have prayed to receive Christ the person must gain an assurance of their salvation. They must understand that their relationship with Christ depends on what the Bible says and not on how they feel. They will gain an assurance of salvation as they read relevant Bible passages. Give them a Bible, show them how to read it and where to start, ie. Mark’s Gospel. Encourage them to let others know about their new relationship with Christ. (2) Within Seventy-Two Hours - The person who led the young person to Christ should make an appointment to visit them within 72 hours to talk about their Bible reading and their new relationship in Christ. The person should be shown how to have a quiet time, and made aware of the importance of attending church. (3) Basic follow-through programme - the aim here is to help the new convert develop confidence in their new relationship with Christ. This should take place during the first three weeks after the conversion experience. The discipler should review their commitment to Christ, help them put into their own words what happened to them and ensure that they have handled stage one and two. (4) Ongoing Bible teaching programme - the aim at this stage is to help the convert begin to grow spiritually. This involves incorporating the young convert into a Bible study group. At this stage checkup is important. If the person misses a study, they should be contacted and helped with what they have missed out on.
3. Follow Up Grow Level Youth
There are advantages and disadvantages in following-up grow level youth: (1) Advantages - They have a basic knowledge of the Scriptures; they probably come from a supportive home; they have regular contact with other people who can help them grow; and they have a cultural closeness with the Christian lifestyle. (2) Disadvantages - their knowledge is unapplied, the have not acted on what they know; they may be cynical because of their exposure to sin and hypocrisy; they may have been forced into instant spiritual gianthood because of parental expectations; they may have bought into the standards of the youth group without any personal conviction; they may identify Jesus with their infancy and not adulthood; and they may have had a protected upbringing, being protected from the harsh realities of life. John Allan gives a strategy for following up churched youth in Nurturing Young Disciples: (a) Create a Desire - preaching ‘you should’ at them will not turn them into disciples. They must see in action an attractive example of a radical lifestyle to emulate. It will help if they are exposed to youth who are spiritually alive. They also need to see in the leader’s personal example a model of spiritual maturity. (b) Look for Lydia, Identify Apollos - look for youth who have an impact on others. They may be gifted in bringing in others (like Lydia) or full of unharnessed potential (like Apollos). They are key to nurturing other grow level youth. (c) Form a Core Group - get those youth together who want to advance spiritually and have them pray together, support one another and explore New Testament principles of living, ie. in the Sermon on the Mount. Look for opportunities to take them away for camps or retreats. Encourage growth in the group by getting those who are growing more noticeable to help those just beginning to grow. (d) Emphasise Practical Action - the last thing these churched youth need is more unapplied doctrinal learning. Give them ways to apply what they know in projects where they demonstrate love in action. (e) Stay in Close Touch - be close enough to them so you can call them or get together between meetings. Allow your life to impact on them as you invite them into your world. (f) Overhaul Everything - don’t assume they have complete knowledge as they may have areas of ignorance or misconceptions that need correction. Help them to evaluate everything in the light of Scripture. Help them to see what God is doing in their lives and equip them to share it with others. (g) Point Them Towards Adults - get them to turn to adults in the congregation for wisdom and insight. Help them receive input from different people to ensure a well-rounded faith. (h) Send Them Out to Do Things - keep them involved in practical ministry: sharing their faith on the streets, doing acts of kindness and service, ministering within the group and the church, etc. (i) Teach Them to Support Each Other - show them how to be caring and sensitive to others and warn them against becoming Pharisaic in their attitude. Have them pray for their friends and unchurched youth and show them that they are responsible for the development of others. (j) Realise Your Limitations - there is a limit to the number of significant relationships anyone can have. Concentrate on a small group of people and have them disciple others.
Footnote:
1 John Buckeridge, Nurturing Young Disciples (see also Reaching and Keeping Teenagers by Peter Brierley and Finding Them, Keeping Them by Gary McIntosh and Glen Martin).
Check out a new-convert follow up course I have written called: Foundations.
Check out the workbook we use in following up new converts.
Return to Model of Youth Ministry