• Every Church Intentionally Investing in the Lives of New Believers and Equipping Them to Lead Others to Christ

    The first six weeks following a non-churched person’s first visit to a church is critical. This is when they are most receptive to the church and to the gospel. This receptivity gradually declines from there after. If no contact has been made between the church and the newcomer in six weeks, the newcomer will become indifferent to the church again.
    Here is a Five Step Follow-Up Plan to help keep the new believers active and involved in the church.

    1. VISIT

    They have shown interest in your church. Now it is time to get to know them. Upon your visit, it is meaningful to bring something with you when you visit:

    • Review Story to Tell material.
    • Pupil book from your Sunday School curriculum along with church newsletter
    • Gift basket- include mints, church information, tea and coffee, or other small gifts your church may have.

    2. ANSWERS & PRAYERS

    When you visit them, don’t just thank them for attending. Get acquainted and ask them if there is anything that you could pray for them about. Answer their questions about salvation and the church. Be prepared to give a current testimony of how the Lord is changing you.

    3.ENROLL

    Belonging to a Bible study class is a vital part of sharing the Gospel, and is a great chance to get new believers involved in church activities. When unsaved people join a Bible study, they have the opportunity to see first-hand what Christianity is like and study God’s word.

    Research gives us the following information:

    • A church will baptize one out of four hundred (1:400) lost people it tries to reach outside of its Sunday School or small group Bible study.
    • A church will baptize one of two (1:2) lost people it enrolls in Sunday School or small group Bible study.
    • Many people think that they have to be a church member to belong to a class, so be sure to ask them if they would like to join a Sunday School class or enroll their children. Enroll them on the spot. They do not have to attend first before they can enroll.

    4.MINISTER

    Always look for opportunities for your class to minister to the person visiting your Sunday School class or church. Perhaps they need prayer; they may have a loved one in the hospital you can visit, or you could offer to bring food for the family during a time of need.

    5.INVITE

    Invite visitors or new believers to your Bible study or Sunday School class. Give them information such as what time class starts, where the class is located, etc. Offer to meet them at one of the church’s main entrances and help them find classes for their kids, this is a great way to make them feel more comfortable.

    Research tells us that 82 percent of non-churched Americans will attend a small group or Sunday School class if asked. However, only 20 percent have ever been invited.

    Invite these new people to one or more of the following:

    • Small Group
    • Sunday School
    • A class fellowship
    • Start a new off-campus Bible study

    Sample “Follow Up” Plan

    It is very important to get visitors plugged into church activities like small groups or Sunday school. In these groups, they can ask questions, as well as, experience Christian living and see first-hand a changed life because of the Gospel. Below is a sample follow-up plan on how to encourage visitors to join a small group or Sunday school class. Continue reading...