The Lord said that we are to “make disciples.” As a pastor, I take that to mean that becoming a disciple does not “just happen.”

Planning, work, training, time and lots of patience are required.

One method I have used successfully with certain people over the years has been a one-on-one discipleship program.

My strategy has been to invite the new believer to commit about 90 minutes each week for seven weeks so that we can study the Bible together. I always try to find a time in the person's schedule that will fit us both and set it as our regular meeting time. But I also build some flexibility into these appointments, knowing that disruptions can occur in the new believer's schedule as well as in mine. So we discuss thoroughly the time commitment up front.

The curriculum that I have used over the years is “Now That I'm A Christian” by Charles “Chic” Shaver, and marketed by Beacon Hill Press. Each week we meet and work our way together through the Bible study for the week.

I also have found that many new converts are rather illiterate when it comes to the Bible. Often it's the first time in their lives to use a Bible, so they don't know the names of the books of the Bible or how to find them. So doing Bible study with a new convert is like feeding a child - it takes patience and love, because you can't rush it. And by all means it is important to say or do nothing that sounds condescending. I want to motivate them to become lasting believers.

The topics we study together include:

• What Happened To Me?
• Walking With God
• Learning From God
• Talking With God
• Sharing With God
• Sharing My Faith
• Filled With God's Spirit

Over the years, I've learned to expect an occasional disappointment, but I've also had some good successes with the people I've selected for one-on-one
discipleship - people who have become faithful church members.

Last update on 10/15/08
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