In Acts 14, we read about Paul and Barnabas returning to visit the new believers they had preached to. The process of preaching, planting, and watering the gospel led to the formation of churches. Paul and Barnabas returned to these believers to strengthen their faith, confirming their souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and reminding them of the hardships they would face as Christians.
They give us a pattern to follow on biblical follow up!
First, let’s look at how these churches were established. Paul and Barnabas went from city to city, preaching the gospel and planting churches. In Acts 13, they began their first missionary journey, preaching in cities like Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They shared the good news of Jesus Christ, and many people believed and were saved. This planting and watering of the gospel created groups of believers who needed guidance and support to grow in their faith.
When we teach a Sunday school class, go soul winning, run a bus route, work in rest homes, or engage in prison ministry, we share the same responsibility to “return again” to those we have reached. Acts 15:36 says, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.”
Some might think this is a job for full-time ministers only, but Paul worked to support himself by making tents while serving the Lord. Although he received support, he also worked a job. We all have a calling to go into the world and preach the gospel, baptizing and teaching, as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission. Follow-up is not just the pastor’s job; it’s every Christian’s job. Sadly, too many Christian’s believe if they share the gospel, they have done their job. But this just isn’t the case. Sharing the gospel is just the beginning of helping souls come to know Christ.
It’s our obligation to “see how they are doing” or check up on those we have reached. Staying connected is crucial. If we lack fruit that remains, it’s probably because we lack proper follow-up.
The book of Acts gives us three steps to follow up in Acts 14:22:
Returned Again: How to Do Follow-Up
In Acts 14:21-22, we read about Paul and Barnabas returning to visit the new believers they had preached to. The process of preaching, planting, and watering the gospel led to the formation of churches. Paul and Barnabas returned to these believers to strengthen their faith, confirming their souls, exhorting them to continue in the faith, and reminding them of the hardships they would face as Christians.
First, let’s look at how these churches were established. Paul and Barnabas went from city to city, preaching the gospel and planting churches. In Acts 13, they began their first missionary journey, preaching in cities like Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe. They shared the good news of Jesus Christ, and many people believed and were saved. This planting and watering of the gospel created groups of believers who needed guidance and support to grow in their faith.
When we teach a Sunday school class, go soul winning, run a bus route, work in rest homes, or engage in prison ministry, we share the same responsibility to “return again” to those we have reached. Acts 15:36 says, “And some days after Paul said unto Barnabas, Let us go again and visit our brethren in every city where we have preached the word of the Lord, and see how they do.”
Some might think this is a job for full-time ministers only, but Paul worked to support himself by making tents while serving the Lord. Although he received support, he also worked a job. We all have a calling to go into the world and preach the gospel, baptizing and teaching, as Jesus commanded in the Great Commission. Follow-up is not just the pastor’s job; it’s every Christian’s job.
It’s our obligation to “see how they are doing” or check up on those we have reached. Staying connected is crucial. If we lack fruit that remains, it’s probably because we lack proper follow-up.
The book of Acts gives us three steps to follow up in Acts 14:22:
Acts 14:22 Confirming the souls of the disciples, and exhorting them to continue in the faith, and that we must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God.
1. Confirming Souls
Paul and Barnabas confirmed the souls of the disciples, strengthening their faith and fortifying them against the challenges they faced. They didn’t confirm their physical health or material possessions, but their souls—their hearts and the graces of the Spirit within them. Paul described this as “giving not the gospel only, but also our own souls” (1 Thessalonians 2:8).
– Personal Visits:
Just as Paul and Barnabas returned to visit the new believers, we should make an effort to visit those we have reached. Whether it’s a visit to their home, meeting for coffee, or any kind of personal interaction goes a long way in strengthening their faith.
– Bible Studies:
Organize regular Bible studies with the new believers. This helps to confirm their understanding of the gospel and provides a platform for them to ask questions and grow in their faith. We do this on Thursday nights through our discipleship programs. If you have never been through this course, you should ask your Sunday school teacher to take you through it and your goal should be to teach others also have you have completed it.
-Prayer Support:
Make it a habit to pray with and for the new believers. Encourage them to share their prayer requests and follow up on these requests to show that you care about their spiritual and personal well-being.
2. Exhorting to Continue
Next, we must exhort the new believers to continue in the faith. Encouragement goes a long way. Simple phrases like “You are doing a good job” and “I’m proud of you” can greatly uplift someone. Today, we have many ways to encourage people: calls, texts, FaceTime, Zoom, direct messages, and letters. We can literally encourage people from all over the world.
– Regular Check-Ins:
Schedule regular check-ins with the new believers. It’s best if you have an alarm that reminds you to make sure it happens. This can be a weekly phone call, text, or video chat to see how they are doing and offer words of encouragement.
– Encouragement Cards:
Send out encouragement cards or letters. A handwritten note can have a powerful impact and serve as a tangible reminder that you care.
-Celebrate Milestones:
Acknowledge and celebrate spiritual milestones such as baptisms, completing discipleship, going soul winning, or even personal achievements in their lives. This not only encourages them but also reinforces the importance of their spiritual journey and your care for them.
3. Reminding of Hardships
Lastly, we must remind them that the Christian life is not easy. On the way to heaven, we face many challenges—opposition, health issues, drama, financial problems, job loss, and the death of loved ones. The road to heaven is bumpy, but the good news is that we know where we are going and who we are trusting. We have a peace we didn’t have before, and we must remind these new Christians of this. It can’t just be all sunshine and candy.
– Sharing Personal Testimonies:
Share your own experiences with hardships and how your faith helped you navigate through them. This makes the Christian walk more relatable and offers practical insights into dealing with struggles.
– Scripture for Strength:
Provide them with Bible verses that offer comfort and strength during tough times. If you can’t think of verses to help comfort others, that means you haven’t learned to seek the Lord for comfort yourself. Ask Him and He will guide you!
– Support:
Encourage them to build a strong support system within the church. Introduce your fellow believer to others who are further along their journey. Get them plugged into different places with peers that can help them along this journey when hard times come.
-Practical Help:
Sometimes, practical help is needed alongside spiritual encouragement. Assist them in finding resources or solutions for their problems, whether it’s financial advice, job search assistance, or counseling services. Show them you care by helping and supporting them.
– Realistic Expectations:
Help them set realistic expectations about their journey. Emphasize that while following Christ brings immense joy and peace, it doesn’t exempt us from life’s difficulties. Preparing them for this reality helps them to stay grounded in their faith during challenging times. Help them to make the choice to be faithful in the good times so when bad times come, which they will, they have already made up their mind how to respond.
By following these steps, we can ensure that the seeds we plant grow into strong, lasting fruit for God. Confirming souls, exhorting to continue, and reminding of hardships are essential components of effective follow-up, ensuring that our efforts in spreading the gospel result in enduring and resilient faith among new believers.
