Follow-up Guide

Follow-up is a marathon, not a sprint, but is the only way to help new believers fully integrate into your community. Ideally, follow up takes about three weeks, with more investment in the first week, less the second, and a little on week three.

The day after a friend becomes a new believer at your large group, small group, or other event, send a text message to check-in and set up a meeting for later.

During the first week of follow up you will want to meet with the new believer. Ask, "how has your week been going?" Debrief their decision and answer questions they have. Then bring them to your small group and debrief the experience afterwards.

The second week, check in with the new believer again, via text/call. Bring them along to small group and help them connect to other members of the group (or the group leader if it isn't you.)

The last week, continue to connect them with other members of the small group and encourage them to share their story.

When you are debriefing with a new believer, consider asking these questions along with some of your own:

  1. What did (standing, raising your hand, filling out the card) mean to you?
  2. Who will you share your decision with?
  3. How do you want to grow in your faith?

In Small Groups

Having successful follow up out of a small group call to faith is 30% of what you do leading up to the call to faith, 20% of what you do at the call to faith, and 50% of what you do after the call to faith.  Below are some suggested steps to help you stward the great fruit the Lord brings.

Before the Call to Faith

  1. Invite non-Christian friends to attend your small group.

  2. Help other members of your small group to invite their non-Christian friends.

  3. The week before challenge your small group to commit to following up with their friends for the next two weeks.

  4. Gather materials like response cards, pens, snacks, extra Bible Study materials, etc.

During the Call to Faith

  1. After the Small Group, gather your regular members to review the follow up overview together and pray.  

  2. Give each small group member the response cards of their friends.

After the Call to Faith

  1. Each member should follow up with their friends

  2. The small group members should invite new believers to join small group.

In Large Groups

Having successful follow up out of a large group call to faith is 30% of what you do leading up to the call to faith, 20% of what you do at the call to faith, and 50% of what you do after the call to faith.  Below are some suggested steps to help you stward the great fruit the Lord brings.

Before the Call to Faith

  1. Invite non-Christian friends to attend your large group.

  2. Gather a group of Christian students who will commit to following up for the next three weeks.

  3. Gather materials like response cards, pens, baskets for gathering response cards, etc.

  4. Bring a computer to input information

During the Call to Faith

  1. If you’re able, tell the new believers that a chapter member/leader will be following up with them.

  2. Gather the Follow up team to input data and decide who should follow up with each new believer.

  3. Review the follow up overview together and pray.

After the Call to Faith

  1. Each member of the Follow up team should work to meet with their group of new believers.

  2. The follow up team should invite new believers to join small groups or a new believer group.

Calls to Faith