Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare, Mentor's Guide, MG08

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E V A N G E L I S M A N D S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E

Underscoring the importance of investment in new believers is fundamental for a biblical understanding of evangelism. In one sense, after we present the Good News with power and clarity, and our hearers repent and believe in the risen Lord, we have only then just begun our spiritual responsibility in Christ. The goal, even for evangelists, must be that these new converts are immediately placed in a setting where they can be taught the basics of the Christian faith and receive the requisite care necessary to protect them from predators and provide for their ongoing nourishment and development.

The focus here is on understanding the way in which the apostles actually responded to new converts in their efforts to ground them in the faith. The books in the bibliographical section are quite helpful to explore in this regard, and I reprint them here for your easy reference:

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Cosgrove, Francis M. Jr. Essentials of Discipleship . Dallas: Roper Press, 1988.

Eims, Leroy. The Lost Art of Disciplemaking . Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1984.

Ortiz, Juan Carlos. Disciple . Carol Stream, Ill: Creation House, 1982.

Phillips, Keith. The Making of a Disciple . Old Tappan, NJ: Fleming H. Revell Co., 1981. Wagner, Peter. Your Spiritual Gifts Can Help Your Church Grow . Ventura, CA: Regal Books, 1979. The attempt to recognize and follow apostolic practices of follow-up is both noble and difficult. Like breathing, the apostolic burden to nurture young newborns in the faith was never scripted or patterned. It came naturally to them: 1 Thess. 2.7-8 - But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. [8] So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the Gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.