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It is great to be disciple of Jesus, and our joy becomes more complete when we help some one to be a disciple.
In this lesson, we will learn a very vital though many time neglected area as we go out to evangelize the world. I.e. “The Importance of Follow-ups”
Brothers and Sisters we see life around us is so fast and in midst of that, so many times as disciples we get trapped in our Christian life for things to change quickly. Though things can change quickly if we equip ourselves & go an extra mile to follow
up.
1. Follow up to refresh
2 Peter 1:12-13
12 So I will always remind you of these things, even though you know them and are firmly established in the truth you now have.
13 I think it is right to refresh your memory as long as I live in the tent of this body,
Here we see peter addressing to the disciples saying that I will always remind you these things, though he knew that they know and are holding firm. Truly Peter’s attitude was not just nagging as just was to irritate but he wanted to refresh the memories.
- Why was he doing that? Because he understood that everyday there are so many things that go in our mind
and some time it is hard to remember everything.
But when we remind or follow-up those things again & again it is there, it doesn’t go off. Our mind is like sand on the sea shore, a person walk there are foot prints, but when the wave comes slowly the footprint are gone, but on the other hand if we keep on walking, no matter what wave comes the footprint will be there.
So its important to go and remind the person so he/she will not forget, but will have in their memory.
Share: How some one followed up in you to remind you.
2. Follow up to reconstruct
Acts 9:10-19
10 In Damascus there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, "Ananias!" "Yes, Lord," he answered.
11 The Lord told him, "Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.
12 In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight."
13 "Lord," Ananias answered, "I have heard many reports about this man and all the harm he has done to your saints in Jerusalem.
14 And he has come here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on your name."
15 But the Lord said to Ananias, "Go! This man is my chosen instrument to carry my name before the Gentiles and their kings and before the people of Israel.
16 I will show him how much he must suffer for my name."
17 Then Ananias went to the house and entered it. Placing his hands on Saul, he said, "Brother Saul, the Lord--Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you were coming here--has sent me so that you may see again and be filled with the Holy Spirit."
18 Immediately, something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, and he could see again. He got up and was baptized,
19 and after taking some food, he regained his strength. Saul spent several days with the disciples in Damascus.
Here we see that Paul was on the way to Damascus, met Jesus, was blinded and Ananias was sent to do a follow-up and restore Paul’s sight. But Ananias was a bit scared of Paul and Jesus has to be firm with Ananias telling him to “go”.
We see that here is the time for the Reconstructer Saul by helping him to see and bringing him to the Kingdom of God. Thus being changing the whole life.
Often when we invite a person we ask few question & we invite or give a card, take contact and then we come. Maybe that small conversation was opening, but to build up a person to come to Church or meeting we need to go to his house meet him, his family. May be Friends, know him as a person. Give him/her a solid foundation of Relationship.
3. Follow up to revive
John 21:1-3,15-17
1 Afterward Jesus appeared again to his disciples, by the Sea of Tiberias. It happened this way:
2 Simon Peter, Thomas (called Didymus), Nathanael from Cana in Galilee, the sons of Zebedee, and two other disciples were together.
3 "I'm going out to fish," Simon Peter told them, and they said, "We'll go with you." So they went out and got into the boat, but that night they caught nothing.
15 When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" "Yes, Lord," he said, "you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my lambs."
16 Again Jesus said, "Simon son of John, do you truly love me?" He answered, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Take care of my sheep."
17 The third time he said to him, "Simon son of John, do you love me?" Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, "Do you love me?" He said, "Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you." Jesus said, "Feed my sheep.
In the passage it tells that Jesus appeared to disciples again. Likely he appeared to them before, told them that I’m alive, let’s do God’s work for what I’ve chosen you.
But Jesus saw they were little defocused and went back to fishing. So he again followed them up to revive their spirit, their dreams back to life.
So many time we can do the same thing as we go meet people reconstructing them, building them up and helping them to have their dreams, life revive showing that how God can change things.
V 15-17 It talks about that Jesus asked a same question to Peter thrice and Bible talks that the third time Peter was hurt.
Many time we can do the same thing though people might think why you are asking me again and again.
Jesus did so that Peter could understand and should not fall short of saying, “Yes”.
So, Brothers and sisters if you want refresh, re construct & revive the souls, what are you waiting for? Go and do your follow-ups.
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