POSSIBILITIES AND PROFITS OF
BIBLICAL FOLLOW-UP
The efforts put into the soul-winning activities will bear no fruit if the soul winner fails to
follow up the new convert. In the Great Commission, the Lord Jesus Christ did not
only tell His apostles to preach and baptize, but also to engage in "teaching them to
observe all things that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).
The Lord wants them to 'follow-up' those who were baptized. Too often, once people
are born again, they are left to simply drift. In many cases, drifting back into the world
or they drift into a state of apathy regarding their devotion, spiritual life and service to
the Lord. This greatly hinders the growth of the Church. Not only are the souls who
drift or become apathetic in danger of falling away but many souls that could have
been won to the Lord through them if they had been faithful and consistent in the Lord
are likely to perish.
1.
Proper Perspective Of Biblical Follow Up
Follow up is the work of grounding a new believer in the faith. This was part of the
ministry of the early church. It was given a priority in the ministry of Paul the apostle
and other ministers in the early Church. Paul the apostle told Barnabas:
“Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of
the Lord, and see how they do” (Acts 15:36). It is advisable to visit a new convert within the first
24 hours of his/her decision. Why do we need follow up? We need follow up for these reasons:
1. Satan seeks to destroy those in the faith – 1 Pet. 5:8-9
2. A new believer is most vulnerable if he is not firmly grounded in the faith – Luke 8:13
3. Weak Christians need to be assisted by older, mature Christians – Gal. 6:1-2
It’s important for us to follow up on converts in order to conserve them in the faith. If this is
dutifully carried out, it will lead to growth and development of the body of Christ.
2.
Possibilities Of Biblical Follow Up
Your Church Visitor retention rate is highest when
you follow-up
with visitors within 48 hours. Retention rates of a first time
visitor is 34%, 2nd time visitors 51% and 3rd time is 78% in fast growing
churches. A follow up research by Herb
Miller gives the following statistics for following up:
·
85% of guests return if visited in 36 hours
·
60% of guests return if visited in 72 hours
·
15% of guests return if visited in 7 days
Follow up will achieve the followings in the new believer’s
life:
1. It will help the new believer understand that he is like a
new-born babe that needs spiritual food, fellowship and guidance to
successfully mature in Christ (1 Pet. 2:2).
2. It will help new converts to gain encouragement, love and trusting
relationships with other Christians (Hebrews 10:25).
3. It will help them to establish a rich devotional time to praise
God, read the Scriptures and pray every morning (Mark 1:35; Ps. 143:8).
4. It will help the new believer to develop a plan for memorizing and
meditating on the six basic assurances: i). Assurance of Salvation – Romans 5:1-2; Ephesians
2:1-3 ii). Assurance of Forgiveness - 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13 iii). Assurance
of Guidance – Prov. 3:5,6 iv). Assurance of Answered Prayer - John 14:12-14; 16:24
v). Assurance of Overcoming Temptation – 1 Cor. 10:13 vi). Assurance of victory
in times of persecution – Matthew 5:10-12.
5. It will help to teach the young believer to expect opposition from
the world, the flesh and the devil. Let him know that Christ has promised us
victory in all battles (I John 2:15-17; John 16:33)
6. It will help to teach the new believer how his salvation is not
based on feelings or performance but on the facts of what Christ has done for him
in providing eternal life and forgiveness (I John 5:11-13; Rom. 10:9,10; John
1:12,13; 10:28,29).
3.
Profits Of Biblical Follow Up
Biblical follow up will among other things help the new believer
to be fully established in the faith and have a sense of belonging as he is not
left to face the challenges that come with his new-found faith alone.
1. Integration into the family life of the
local Church – Heb. 10:24-25
2. Grounded in the basics of Bible doctrines
– Heb. 5:12-14;
1 Timothy 4:16
3. Involvement in sharing the gospel with
others with the help of older believers – Mark 16:15-20; 1 Pet. 2:9-10
4. Developing a sound consistent devotional
life – 1 Pet. 2:2;
Col 4:2
5. Understanding the basics of abundant
Christian living – Col. 3:12-17; 2 Pet. 1:5-11
6. Having the assurance of salvation and
acceptance with God- Romans
5:1-2; Eph. 2:1-3; 1 Jn. 5:13;
2:3
7. The body of
Christ will be strengthened as we have people to function in different arms of
the Church – 1 Corinthians 12:18
8. There will be
corporate joy as we see the will of God of bringing souls into the Kingdom
being fulfilled in our midst - Acts 2:46-47
There cannot be any meaningful growth and
progress in the Church if new believers are not being integrated into the body
of Christ. Apart from all the blessings that are meant for those who do the
will of God in getting souls converted into the body of Christ here on earth, a
lot of rewards await the faithful soul-winners at the end of time in Heaven.
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