Session 10
They Accepted Jesus; Now What?
When believers lead people to Christ, we are responsible for them as their spiritual parent.
Jesus told us to make disciples, not just converts.
The ultimate goal for a person who comes to Christ is to grow up in the Lord and become a spiritual parent, leading others to Christ and teaching them how to live.
Defining Moments
For a Christian, baptism is a defining moment.
When we were baptized, we identified ourselves with Jesus and other Christians who had gone before us.
When we have the opportunity to lead someone to Christ, we also have the privilege to help him or her experience the life-defining act of baptism and begin the process of Christian maturity.
Encouraging Baptism
A person may be hesitant to be baptized for a number of reasons.
We have to take people where they are and help them move forward in
their spiritual journey.
Baptism is a step of obedience and not a requirement for salvation.
Making the Follow-Up Visit
Reacquaint yourself and celebrate the person’s decision to accept Christ.
State that baptism is an important next step in being obedient to Christ after salvation.
Share a brief testimony about the significance of baptism.
Introducing Next Steps in Following Jesus
Front panel:
Explain that you will use this leaflet to help the person better understand some next steps of obedience to take as a believer.
Panel 2:
Call attention to the statement that baptism is one way a Christian publicly shares what Jesus has done for us.
Emphasize that baptism is for individuals who— have already trusted Jesus as Savior;
understand that baptism does not bring salvation but is a symbol of what Jesus has already done for them and is an expression of obedience;
are not ashamed to follow Christ’s example.
Panel 3:
Jesus commanded it.
Baptism is an act of obedience for which Jesus Himself, as well as His followers, set the example.
Baptism pictures breaking from the past and beginning a new life with Christ.
In the New Testament baptism is a public testimony of faith.
Baptism is by immersion in water.
Because it is a public expression of faith, baptism is conducted in front of witnesses.
Emphasize the importance of being baptized as soon as possible.
Highlight the importance of being baptized only after willfully accepting Jesus as Savior.
Stress the importance of baptism as a point of identity with other church members.
Answer the person’s questions about the reasons for and logistics of baptism.
Explain how baptism is done in your church.
Some churches and FAITH teams show support by accompanying the new believer into the baptismal pool.
Find out whether the person has a preferred date for the baptismal service.
Panels 6–7:
Record all of the requested information in “Appointment for Baptism” on panels 6 and 7, which you tear off and return to the church.
Panels 4–5:
Show how these disciplines can help the new believer grow in Christ.
Give the leaflet to the person and conclude the visit with prayer.
Panels 6–7:
Return panels 6 and 7 to the person in your church who handles FAITH visitation information.
Growth Is a Process
Some new Christians may fail to show up after making a commitment to come to your Sunday School or worship service.
Your team is still responsible for helping this person grow as a disciple.
Follow up to learn what happened, to offer ministry or counsel, and to make sure the new believer gets off to
a good start in his new life in Christ.
Session 11 Your Role in Kingdom Work
The early church had a number of unsung heroes who quietly made a contribution to the kingdom of God.
Aquila and Priscilla hosted a church in their home, which became a center for showing Jesus’ love to others.
No matter where this couple lived, they made a difference in the lives of others.
They remained faithful to do the work of God’s kingdom.
They always found a way to be involved in a church.
They were true heroes because they focused their lives on Jesus Christ.
This focus was revealed by the assistance they provided Paul and Apollos and by their efforts to reach others with the gospel.
Aquila and Priscilla understood what non-Christians were looking for, and they knew how to build a growing church that met those needs.
What the Unchurched Are Looking for in a Church
Two major factors prompted Donna to try a church:
a crisis in her life and a relationship with someone who was active in the church.
Donna was immediately drawn to a Bible study.
People want a place where they can—
discover the truth;
find connections;
enjoy a variety of experiences;
have an opportunity to make
a difference in the world.
Building a Healthy Church
Most of these characteristics can be seen in the lives of Aquila and Priscilla.
Commitment to the truth of Scripture
Sense of community
Unity
Involved in the work of ministry
Mentors to Apollos
Hosted a church
Worship in their house church
Sunday School and small groups are places where people connect with one another and the ministry of the church, discover the truth of God’s Word, and invite others so that they too can discover God’s truth.
Giving focus to these three things—connect, discover,
and invite—will make your Sunday School and your church a positive force in your community as believers engage in the lives of others.
Stories from the Field
The Bake Team
A Family Reunion
A Community-Service Project
God uses all kinds of settings and circumstances to involve His followers in Kingdom work.
Multiplication comes as a result of God’s work, but
we must also work with
God to bring it about.
Thank God for the role He allows you to play.
Pray and rely on His Holy Spirit to discern where He might lead you in the future.
Session 12 Your Next Step
The test of a leader is his ability to pass on his knowledge and experience to those who will come after him.
Think about ways you can pass on what you have learned to others.
Every believer is responsible to pass on what he or she has learned so that the number of growing, witnessing believers is multiplied.
Sharing What You Have Been Given
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, commit to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Tim. 2:2).
Three Rs help us better understand what is involved in passing on the things we have learned and experienced.
Receive (learn): “what you have heard from me.”
You are always in a position to learn, especially from God’s Word.
You can never be satisfied in your Christian walk.
God wants you to experience Him daily.
2. Repeat (teach): “commit to faithful men.”
You are already a spiritual leader whom God has entrusted with much.
You must share what you have learned with others who can use their training to reach the lost for Christ.
3. Reproduce (train): “who will be able to teach others also.”
Sharing the truth of the Word is important, but it is also important to prepare others to share the truth and to teach others to do the same.
This is what making disciples is all about.
To make disciples, Jesus’ followers must multiply our lives through the lives of others.
Stewards of a Gift
Paul reminded Timothy of the stewardship of his call.
Mentors receive their pay by seeing their pupils succeed and continue the cycle, mentoring others.
When we receive a gift, certain realities are associated with that gift.
1. We have been entrusted with a great gift.
2. We are given gifts for a purpose or a reason.
3. Purposeful gifts imply a stewardship.
4. Stewardship always carries accountability.
5. Accountability and stewardship affect areas unrelated to the gift.
What Can I Offer?
God has entrusted us with many great gifts.
Certain expectations are associated with each one.
What do we have to pass on to the next generation of FAITH participants?
You have something to pass on to the next generation of FAITH learners.
God has given each of us unique experiences and opportunities that only we can share.
Has God allowed you to learn and experience these things for a reason?
Does He want you to pass on to the next generation of FAITH learners the things you have learned?
Many people have yet to be told about Jesus.
Others are waiting to learn how to share Jesus with a friend.
The question is not whether you can help but whether you will help.
