For many Christians, baptism is the first step of obedience they take in a life of discipleship. How can churches help newly baptized believers grow in their faith? N.C. Baptist pastors share next steps.
Nearly 190 North Carolina Baptist churches have reported more than 1,740 baptisms during the recent Fill the Tank baptism emphasis this spring.
For many Christians, baptism is the first step of obedience they take in a life of discipleship. How can churches help newly baptized believers grow in their faith? What comes after the excitement and celebration of their baptism?
We asked N.C. Baptist pastors about the process their local church takes in walking people through baptism and the discipleship that follows. Collin Whitney, discipleship pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, N.C., Adrian Early, executive pastor at Grace Community Church in Marion, and Andrew Ivester, pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Durham, shared their insights.
Here are four ways to follow up with each individual and help them understand their next steps in following Jesus. However your church designs an initial discipleship process, ensure that everyone who recently has been baptized stays connected with someone in your church body who can continue to walk with them.
- Determine their biblical literacy.
Someone who has just been baptized might be a new Christian who needs “milk” (1 Corinthians 3:2). Someone else might be farther along in their faith journey and have an existing foundation in understanding the Bible. This person is ready for the meat of God’s Word. Knowing where someone stands helps church leaders or a mentor guide them toward either a discovery curriculum that introduces core doctrines of the faith and essential spiritual habits, or a small group environment that offers opportunities for deeper discussion and teaching.
Encourage newly baptized individuals to pray and fellowship with others. Every believer has a place to grow and serve, so the body grows and “builds itself up in love by the proper working of each individual part” (Ephesians 4:16). - Help them read and respond to the Bible.
Jesus teaches that wisdom involves listening to and obeying His words (Matthew 7:24). One of the best things you can do for new believers is help them learn to read the Bible for themselves. Sermons and small groups can certainly be beneficial, but they are no substitute for personal Bible reading. “One-to-One Bible Reading” by David Helm provides a solid framework for engaging with Scripture for everyone from new believers to seasoned saints. A pastor can delegate the one-to-one framework to other mature believers for ongoing mentorship.
Communing with God through His Word is essential for abiding in Christ, so prioritize teaching new believers to read the Bible. - Pair them up with a mature disciple-maker to walk through a follow-up curriculum.
Connect someone who has just been baptized with a mature believer in your church trained in a follow-up curriculum. This can be a weeks-long study that introduces and covers topics like prayer, salvation, the basics of the Bible or how to share your faith. This is also a great opportunity to raise up mature believers in your church to actively disciple younger brothers and sisters in the faith. These studies can also be done in group settings. - Help them share their faith.
Tools like the 15-Second Testimony and the 3 Circles method help people put words to their story and God’s story. As disciples mature and become more familiar with Scripture, encourage them to use prayer and specific Bible passages to naturally transition everyday conversations toward the gospel. Start small, trusting God will grow them over time. Even new believers with limited biblical knowledge or Christian background can effectively share what God has done in their lives and clearly communicate the gospel message. They simply need a little coaching.
Every local church may choose a different structure for where and how to train new believers. The setting and format can and should be well suited to your context. What matters is that the equipping is happening. For more discipleship resources, visit ncbaptist.org/ministries/evangelism-and-discipleship or contact Drew Dabbs, discipleship ministry strategist, by emailing ddabbs@ncbaptist.org.
EDITOR’S NOTE – Collin Whitney, discipleship pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Youngsville, N.C., Adrian Early, executive pastor at Grace Community Church in Marion, and Andrew Ivester, pastor at Faith Baptist Church in Durham contributed to this article.
