You have just helped someone become a new Christian, or have been given the responsibility to do the follow-up of a new Christian . . . so now what do you do?
First of all, you can be excited about this opportunity. Second, you need to be serious about this responsibility. Read Romans 5:11 again. You have the privilege of helping someone grow in his or her new relationship with your friends Jesus Christ. Here are some ways you can help a new Christian and Jesus grow closer. Remember, we all need FRIENDS:
Follow up with your new Christian friend by getting together regularly.
Get together within 48 hours after your friend receives Christ, and at least once a week during the next six weeks (Matthew 28:20).
Reinforce what Christ has done in your friend's life.
Do this by lookin at Scriptures that affirm God's commitment to Christians (John 14:20; Hebrews 13:5; Colossians 2:13-14; 1 John 5:13; Galations 5:25).
Involve your friend in a Bible-teaching church and/or youth group.
Take your friend with you and help answer any of his or her questions (Hebrews 10:24-25).
Exhibit Christ in you life through your actions and words.
You don't have to be perfect, just someone who wants to obey and please God (Colossians 3:17).
Nurture your friend's spiritual growth.
A new Christian is like a newborn baby who needs spiritual food and care (1 Peter 2:2-3).
Do things together.
Spending time together will give you opportunities to encourage your friend and put you faith into practice (acts 14:21-22).
Stand by your friend in both the good and bad times.
Your friend will fall down spiritually. Get ready to help im or her to get up and go again (Ephesians 4:11-16).
You have recently trusted Jesus Christ to be your Savior . . . so now what do you do?
Firts of all, you must know that through Christ you have become friends with God. Read Romans 5:11. Remember:
- You realized that your sin was keeping you from a relationship with God;
- You understood that Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sin and that he rose again from the dead;
- You prayed, asking Jesus to forgive your sins and be your Savior.
Next, please understand that you have begun an exciting and lasting friendship. As in any relationship, getting to know someone takes time--it doesn't just happen by itself.
You can grow closer to God just like you crow closer to people. God created you to have a relationship with him, to be his very own son or daughter. Now that you're his child and friend, he will patiently help you get to know him better and better.
Here are some ideas you can use to help you and God become close friends. Remember, all it takes is TIME:
Talk to God through prayer. Talk to God as if you were talking to a friend.
Investigate God's Word. Decide on a time and place to read your Bible each day.
Make it practical. One of the best ways to lear is by doing.
Express your thoughts. You know how important it is to show apreciation to a friend. As you finish your faily time with God, tell him thank you. Try to keep a personal journal. Simply write down your thoughts, your questions, and, most important of all, why you're thankful to God!
Taken from the Student's Life Application BIBLE - NLT, published by TYNDALE
