Making
Disciples
Colossians
2: 6-7
Jesus commanded us to make disciples of all nations. This is a process of spiritual growth that those of us who love lost people must master if our ministry is to last. Unfortunately, few Christians seem to understand what this means, especially those of us in leadership positions in God's church. The attrition rate of new believers is horrific. There are some very specific needs of a new baby in Christ, and if these needs go unmet the new Christian does not develop normally.
The first need of a new believer is assurance. He needs to know that he has truly been born again, and if you are to help him you need to know that also. I have seen many people make decisions to trust Christ but have no understanding of what the next step is or where to begin reading in their Bible. God says in 11 Corinthians 5:17, "Therefore, if any man is in Christ, he is a new creation, the old has gone, the new has come." In order to identify a new Christian, you must see in him a change of attitude toward sin. This does not mean that he now fully understands the doctrine of sin, sanctification or salvation, but he is open and teachable about his sin.
His basic attitude has changed. He sees Jesus in a favorable light (see 1 John 5:11-12) and is unfavorable toward sin (see 1 John 1:9). A study of the book of 1 John will help any new believer in this whole area of assurance.
Another need of this new believer in Christ is acceptance. He needs two things explained to him: love and acceptance. "We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the Gospel of God but our lives as well, because you have become so dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:8) The new believer needs to understand the basics of grace. Grace means that God loves you just like you are, but so much He doesn't want you to stay like you are. Just like a new baby, this new babe in Christ needs to be held and showered with love. The new believer needs to be talked to and see that God loves him/her and nothing will ever change that.
The third need of the new believer is that he needs protection. In a hospital nursery the nurses sterilize everything. They wear masks to protect the infants from germs and disease. These new believers need protection from cults and various attacks from the enemy (Satan) and from his old friends who will try to entice him back into his old patterns. (1 Peter 5:8)
Fourthly, he needs food. Little babies eat small amounts 5-6 times each day. Spiritual babies need the same. They need a regular diet of the Word of God. (1 Peter 2:2-3) You can give a new believer this food in two ways: teach him initially (spoon feed) and then encourage him to feed himself. Someone must sit down and show him/her where to begin in the Bible. Many want to begin in Revelation or Genesis, neither of which are the place to start. Encourage him/her to begin in 1 John and follow with the Gospels. Let him ask questions and learn to dig for some of his answers. Teach him how to have a consistent quiet-time for 15 - 30 minutes a day, including reading the Word and prayer. Unless you teach him that vital habit, he will be depending on others for his nourishment the rest of his life. God desires us to grow up and develop a strong relationship with Jesus and in turn help someone else.
The new believer needs training, needs fellowship, needs to learn how to pray, give his personal testimony, lordship of Christ, faith, obedience, will of God, Holy Spirit, witnessing, and the list goes on and on.
My question is: Are you making disciples or converts?
