New convert instruction

[Ferd]

Originally Posted by Praxeas

The problem I have with this, and all extended "new converts" classes is it's often taught in place of Sunday school with the rest of the church, which separates them from the larger body. To me that alienates them from the body which is why a lot of people become part of a church in part. It lasts a long long time

I believe "new converts" teaching should not last very long so as to integrate them into the body.

Second they SHOULD be learning necessary truths anyways in the regular Sunday school meeting.

I think part of New Converts training should be a long term relationship between the new convert and an elder or some seasoned saint after an initial 2 or 3 convert lessons. Maybe a once a week bible study and fellowship with a seasoned saint or couple

I guess im conflicted on this point Prax. I know that way back in the 70s my dad and our pastor at the time, met because, while the church was having great revival, we were retaining barely 10% of the new people that came to into the church.

They put together a plan, dad started teaching new converts class on sunday morning (In our Fathers House) and the numbers shifted to well above 60% retention.

Those numbers were repeated in the 80s here in Dallas.


Now I can say that we have recently seen a large influx of new people here, but instead of Sunday morning classes the Pastor decided to hold a special class on Monday evenings.

SS was tried but for whatever reason, we just didnt have good participation at that time. I think times are very different.

However, his monday night class was very well attended and we have seen very strong retention from those that have progressed thru that class.

I teach the Adult SS class and those people have been part of my class to so they are getting what you suggest here.


either way, I think it is important to get new people well versed in the things that are important, and to get them plugged in to the church itself.

On that second point, we work hard to "plug people in". Whatever is happening in the church, we try to bring new people into the areas of service that will bring them a sense of fulfillment and belonging and ownership.

all of that has to work together. You may be right about not doing the new converts teaching during SS time, but I dont think it should be a quick short experience. I think it can be more extended. I think you just need to figure out what works within the culture of the church and the area you are in.

[renee819]

I just ordered, “The Tale of Three Kings.” Where can I get, “Our Fathers House.?”

Without any study materials, I would start with Adam, and show why we must be born again, then quickly move on to the History of the Church and why Jesus came. And emphasize that after a person is born again, they are the Temple of the Living God.

[angelafmy]

I would focus on the need to pray, read the word, fellowship and church attendance.



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[Michael The Disciple]

Jesus program for a newly baptized convert:

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20

Start with the sermon on the mount?

[votivesoul]

Each new convert comes with a different need. A young man in his teens is going to be facing different circumstances than a 40 something single mother of five.

So I think the discipleship should be tailored to the needs of the person. I believe that with much prayer and sensitivity to the voice of the Lord and the leading of the Spirit, a teacher and mentor will never mistake what each new convert needs in the beginning of their walk.

With that being said, I almost always take new converts that I mentor through a study of the Bible first. Get them interested and indoctrinated into the Word Itself. Some call it Bibleology. From there I go into Theology proper, i.e. the nature of God. Then Christology, and onward from there.

I almost always put orthodoxy ahead of orthopraxy when discipling.