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Chapter Two
Follow-up is conserving the fruit of evangelism—helping a young believer get a good start in the Christian life and grow toward maturity.
First, a young Christian needs a scriptural basis for his salvation. Just "feeling" saved is unreliable assurance. His decision for Christ may be sincere, but to progress in his Christian life he needs to see that his salvation does not rest on his feelings or on what he has done—but on what Jesus Christ has done and promised.
ASSURANCE OF SALVATION
What is the assurance of I John 5:13; and on what does it depend?
What are the three promises of John 5:24?
Compare the two verses above with John 3:16, I John 5:11,12 and Revelation 3:20. Which one would you choose to help a new believer to assurance? Why?
After helping a person receive Christ as Saviour, rather than tell him "Now you're saved," or "Now you have forgiveness and eternal life," let him tell you. Test his assurance by asking him if the Lord has answered his prayer, or if he has eternal life. If he is not yet sure, go back over the assurance verse you have been looking at; continue to go over it until the Holy Spirit gives him light and faith.
Review Chapter 3 of Book 1 which has other Scripture on assurance of salvation.
WHAT IS FOLLOW-UP?
How does Paul describe his ministry in teaching the Thessalonians to live the Christian life? (I Thess. 2:7,8)
In I Thessalonians 2:11
How did Paul treat them?
What three things did he do to help their spiritual progress?
In this verse, does it appear that he helped them in groups, individually, or both?
What were Paul's goals for his spiritual children?
I Thess. 2:12
Col. 2:7
WHY FOLLOW UP?
When Jesus Christ gave His followers the Great Commission to reach the world with the Gospel (Matt. 28:18-20), what else did He command? (verse 20)
In Colossians 1:28
To accomplish his goal Paul warned and taught everyone he could about Jesus Christ.
What was his goal?
Follow-up is spiritual pediatrics—giving continuous help to a young believer to stimulate healthy growth toward Christian maturity and usefulness. Webster: "A system of following a first step with additional action."
Why was Paul concerned about following up those he had reached? (I Thess. 3:5)
Why did Paul feel especially responsible for the Corinthians? (I Cor. 4:15) Select correct answer.
In addition to seeing people become Christians, what gave John great joy? (III John 4)
What is one way to contribute to reaching the world? (II Tim. 2:2)
List the four generations of Christians in this verse.
This verse describes spiritual multiplication—not only reaching a person for Christ, but also teaching and helping him to the place where he can reach others who can in turn do the same.
HOW TO HELP ANOTHER GROW
Paul used four methods of follow-up:
Writing a letter
Prayer
A personal visit
Sending a colaborer
Which of these methods do the following verses describe?
II Tim. 1:3
Acts 15:36
I Cor. 4:14
I Cor. 4:17
"As you well know, we dealt with you one by one, as a father deals with his children …"
—I Thessalonians 2:11*
What would you encourage a new believer to do with God's Word? (Col. 3:16a)
*New English Bible, Oxford and Cambridge University Presses
To start a person in Scripture memory and at the same time help establish his assurance of salvation, use the Beginning With Christ packet.
In what other areas would you instruct and establish him?
Phil. 4:6
John 15:10
Mark 5:19
Luke 9:23
Heb. 10:25
What did Paul and his companions do to help those who had recently believed in Jesus Christ?
Acts 14:21,22
Acts 18:11
What did Paul and his colaborers pray for their converts?
Col. 4:12
Gal. 4:19
SETTING THE PACE
What could Paul say about himself?
I Thess. 2:10
Phil. 4:9
What could he confidently ask the Corinthians to do? (I Cor. 11:1)
What are some things in which Paul set the pace?
I Cor. 10:33
Acts 20:33,35
In I Timothy 4:12
To whom are we to be examples?
In what areas?
"I'd rather see a sermon than hear one any day;
I'd rather one should walk with me, than merely tell the way …
And the best of all the preachers are the men who live their creeds,
For to see good put in action is what everybody needs."
—Edgar A. Guest
In what else are we to be examples to other Christians? (Tit. 2:7,8)
If you don't yet have one, make a list of those you've been privileged to lead to Christ. Begin to pray for them, and consider what you can do to stimulate their growth. Should they be visited, telephoned, written? Would Book 1 of Studies in Christian Living, or a Beginning with Christ memory packet help them? Should you take one of them with you to witness or to call on another who is a young Christian?
Briefly summarize what the Lord would have you do to help one of them.