Maximizing a New Believer’s Influence
Have you ever heard the saying, “Birds of a feather flock together?”
William Turner pinned this very interesting quote back in 1545. It means that those who share similar interests or values hang out together. This is interesting. When you think about believers in Christ, they many times hang out together. And those that are unchurched or lost also seemed to hang out together. Who knows the lost in a community? No doubt Christians can associate with those that are not believers. But non-Christians and new believers in Christ seemingly know more lost people.
How do we maximize a new believer’s influence with their lost and unchurched friends?
1. Have you ever considered doing a spiritual birthday celebration for new believers? When a person comes to faith, it is a great time to celebrate their new birth in Christ. When you have had several new commitments to Christ for salvation consider asking the new converts to invite friends and family to a spiritual birthday celebration. This could be done on a weeknight or on the weekend. You might consider having the new believer share an in-person testimony or a video testimony of how they came to faith in Christ.
2. At the celebration, give the new believer a Bible and some info on how to study scripture. Have cake, ice cream, and even balloons. Then the pastor or spiritual leader can share a simple gospel presentation and encourage those in attendance to pray and put their faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Some use a decision card that is placed on the table for everyone to fill out. Then those that have prayed with the pastor and have accepted Jesus Christ into their life as their Lord and Savior can signify their decision on the card. Others may even be interested in a new church home. Not only will this help with new prospects but also helps reaching new believers in Christ.
3. Another opportunity to maximize a new believer’s influence is to have the new believer go with the pastor or spiritual friend to visit family and close friends to share what has happened in the life of this new believer. Being intentional, share the gospel and give the family member or friend the opportunity to pray and put their faith in Christ. If the person you’re witnessing to is resistant you can invite them to church to see the new convert participate in believer’s baptism.
4. A baptismal celebration is always a great way for a new believer to maximize his or her influence on unchurched family and friends. When friends and family come to celebrate this new birth in Christ through baptism the gospel should always be clearly explained so those in attendance can clearly understand what must happen in a person’s life to have a personal relationship with Christ.
I have always felt the window of opportunity for a new believer to make a spiritual impact in the lives of family and friends is never greater than in the first few months of their new birth experience. Because this is a very important time in the life of the new believer, we need to be creative in helping the new Christian influence those around them with the gospel.
For more information on No Sweat Evangelism, go to nosweatevangelism.com. The Georgia Baptist Mission Board has an Evangelism Consultant in your specific region that can help you in leading your church members to follow Jesus and work in His harvest fields. For more information, please contact the Evangelism team of the Georgia Baptist Mission Board and schedule a consultation. You can also join the conversation on Facebook!
Published September 21, 2021