"FOLLOW-UP: FACTORS AFFECTING FOLLOW-UP"

INTRODUCTION
  1. In a study on "Follow-up: Definition & Importance", personal follow-up was part of an overall effort to ground new believers in Christ...
  2. Seeking to encourage engagement in this area of service in the Lord's work
    1. For there is great joy when we engage in such work - 3Jn 4
  3. There are several factors that will affect any effort in personal follow-up...
    1. Understanding these factors will help one know more about what is involved in such efforts
    2. It may also help us understand why so few people ever engage in it

[For example, one factor affecting personal follow-up is...]

  1. OUR OWN RELATIONSHIP WITH THE LORD
    1. FOLLOW-UP INVOLVES THE IDEA OF "LIFE TRANSFERENCE"...
      1. Life transference - the transferring of things in your life to the life of the new Christian
      2. In other words, the sharing of a lifestyle with the new believer
      3. Such as Paul did with the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:8
    2. OUR WALK WITH THE LORD MUST BE WORTHY OF IMITATION...
      1. Otherwise, the new believer is not likely to take us seriously
      2. Consider the example of Paul
        1. In his conduct with the Thessalonians - 1Th 2:10
        2. So he write as he did to the Philippians - Php 4:9
      3. We should not view Paul as an exception; all mature Christians are to worthy of imitation - cf. Php 3:17
    3. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY MANY ARE NOT INVOLVED IN FOLLOW-UP...
      1. Perhaps knowing they are not good role models or mentors for "life transference"
      2. If such is the case with us...
        1. Then we better get busy growing spiritually
        2. If we are not able to help save others, we will unlikely save ourselves! - cf. 1Ti 4:16

        [Another factor affecting personal follow-up is...]

  2. OUR WILLINGNESS TO MAKE A COMMITMENT
    1. PERSONAL FOLLOW-UP IS TIME-CONSUMING...
      1. The needs of a new believer are often similar to that of a baby (feeding, bonding, protecting)
      2. When life's busy schedule presses down, priorities will have to be made
      3. Only the truly committed person will spend the time necessary to follow-up
      4. Paul illustrates the kind of commitment needed - Ac 20:20,31; 1Th 2:9-12
    2. THIS MAY EXPLAIN WHY SO FEW ENGAGE IN FOLLOW-UP...
      1. Commitment is a difficult concept for many people
      2. Lack of commitment is seen in many areas: work, marriage, family, church
      3. Many lack commitment to save themselves, let alone being of much use to save others!
    3. ARE WE ABLE TO MAKE THE COMMITMENT...?
      1. Do we believe in the importance of personal follow-up?
      2. Are we willing to devote the time necessary to encourage new disciples?
      3. Can we rethink our present activities and discontinue those which interfere?

      [Even when we are convinced of the need, and are willing to make the commitment, we must be aware of other factors affecting personal follow-up, such as...]

  3. OUR WILLINGNESS TO CONCENTRATE OUR EFFORTS
    1. IT IS TEMPTING TO WORK WITH TOO MANY AT ONE TIME...
      1. Because of what others may expect of us ("You should not be working with just a select few.")
      2. Because of what may be our own vain glory ("Numbers impress brethren more than quality, so I better work with many.")
    2. GOOD FOLLOW-UP REQUIRES CONCENTRATED FOCUS...
      1. That can be obtained only by working with a few at a time
      2. While multitudes followed Him, Jesus focused on his select disciples during His ministry
      3. Paul told Timothy to work with 'faithful' men - 2Ti 2:2
      4. "A decision that our ministry will be intensive, rather than extensive, will change our whole life. Quality begets quantity. It takes vision to train one man to reach the mass." - Waylon Moore
    3. DO WE HAVE THE VISION TO FOCUS OUR EFFORTS...?
      1. Certainly we should be open to encouraging all our brethren
      2. But prime time and peak energy should be directed toward a select few until they are able to follow-up on others as well

      [Also important as a factor affecting personal follow-up is...]

  4. OUR WILLINGNESS TO GO THE DURATION
    1. DEVELOPING DISCIPLES CAN BE A LENGTHY PROCESS...
      1. The illustration of 'spiritual multiplication' in our previous study revealed that it takes nearly six years for noticeable growth to occur
      2. Even Jesus spent three years in developing His disciples
      3. Paul was in relative obscurity for ten years before he began his missionary journeys
    2. WILLINGNESS TO GO THE DURATION REQUIRES...
      1. Vision - the same vision Jesus had - Mt 13:31-32; cf. Isa 60:22
      2. Patience - willing to allow time for spiritual growth, and for spiritual multiplication to occur
    3. COULD THIS EXPLAIN WHY SOME DO NOT PERSIST IN THIS WORK...?
      1. We are a society motivated by "get rich quick" schemes, fed by "fast food" restaurants
      2. We want salvation in four or five easy steps and at little cost
      3. We must be willing to endure like Jeremiah, who labored for fifty years with little to show for his labors

      [Indeed, the fruit of our labors in follow-up may sometimes not show up until after we are gone! But with faith and vision, we will not grow weary (Ga 6:9). A fifth factor affecting follow-up is...]

  5. OUR WILLINGNESS TO TEACH AND TRAIN
    1. TEACHING OF GOD'S WORD IS REQUIRED...
      1. As Paul instructed Timothy - 2Ti 2:2
      2. Accompanied by our example (which we saw earlier in 'life transference')
      3. Yet it is the Word which ultimately produces spiritual growth and change - 1Pe 1:23; 2:2
    2. THIS REQUIRES BEING A FAITHFUL STUDENT AS WELL..
      1. As Paul instructed Timothy - 1Ti 4:15-16
      2. Not only for our own spiritual growth, but to set the example for others - 1Ti 4:12
    3. COULD THIS EXPLAIN THE LACK OF GROWTH IN SOME CONVERTS...?
      1. What kind of students of God's Word do they see in us?
      2. Is our attendance in Bible study erratic? Do we come unprepared to share?
      3. Are we willing to take the time to study with them in person?

      [Finally, another factor affecting follow-up pertains to...]

  6. OUR SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT
    1. THE ROLE OF A SPIRITUAL ENVIRONMENT FOR A NEW CHRISTIAN...
      1. It plays a large part in his or her spiritual growth
      2. A lukewarm or cold church environment can be devastating to the growth of a new believer
      3. It can hinder or hurt the efforts of the faithful few trying to nurture new Christians
    2. EFFECTIVE FOLLOW-UP MAY FIRST REQUIRE CLEANUP...
      1. Working first with those who poor examples will only undermine future efforts
      2. Spending time and effort to ensure the local congregation will be a safe haven for new Christians
    3. COULD THIS EXPLAIN THE LACK OF GROWTH IN SOME CONVERTS...?
      1. A faithful few may be trying to follow-up with new Christians or new members
      2. But are their efforts impacted negatively by the poor examples being set by others?
CONCLUSION
  1. The work of personal follow-up is no easy task...
    1. Which may explain it is so greatly neglected
    2. Which is why Christians are so desperately need to accept the challenge
  2. For those willing to accept the task of personal follow-up...
    1. They will help the church 'multiply' - Ac 9:31
    2. They will experience 'no greater joy' - 3Jn 4

And they will become imitators of the household of Stephanas: "they have devoted themselves to the ministry of the saints." (1Co 16:15) What a wonderful compliment...!