The person that leads a new convert, deceived professor, or recovered backslider to the Lord is responsible to disciple that person. First, you want to lead the seeker into a true conversion. Here is what the Bible teaches on true conversion.
You should work to lead the convert into seeing the importance of the first commandment – which is to love God with all their heart, soul, mind, and strength (Mar 12:30). The first commandment is about obedience (Rom 6:16), carefulness (Mat 26:41; 2Cor 7:11), love of God’s commandments (Joh 14:15, 21; 1Cor 7:19; 1Joh 2:3, 4; 3:24; 5:2, 3; 2Joh 1:6; Rev 14:12; 22:14), love of prayer (Mat 6:6, Mat 26:41, Luk 6:28; Luk 19:46, Rom 12:12; Eph 6:18; Phi 4:6; Jam 5:16; 1Pet 4:7 ), love of reading of the Word (2Tim 3:16,17), and study (2Tim 2:15), good works (Tit 2:14; 3:8, 14; Heb 10:24), fear of displeasing God (2Cor 7:1; Heb 12:28; 1Pet 2:17), loving his appearing (2Tim 4:8; 2Pet 3:11; 1Joh 3:3), and private and public worship (Joh 4:23, 24) and praise (Rom 15:11; Heb 13:15; Rev 19:5).
Next, the convert needs to learn how to live the second commandment (Mar 12:31), that we love our neighbor as ourselves. We are to teach them that as they have opportunity, they are to do good to all people, but especially to the household of faith (Gal 6:10; 1Pet 2:17). They need to be involved in each other’s lives, and to exhort each other daily (Heb 3:13; Jud 1:3) unto good works (Tit 2:14; 3:8, 14; Heb 10:24).
They are to be taught to have their feet shod with (Rom 10:15; Eph 6:15) the preparation to share the good news. This not only helps others, but also emphasizes the need to put on the whole armor of God – that they may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil (Eph 6:11).
In the Lord’s harvest field, the grain is plenteous and white to harvest (Joh 4:35), and qualified laborers truly are few (Mat 9:37). New converts are to be taught early the joys of working for Jesus in the sharing of the gospel.
When you have new converts, you should go over the unbiblical doctrines (Tit 2:7) that they need to be careful to avoid. Then, you need to teach the new convert how to conduct themselves in their home life and at their work place. They need to be taught to live a simple life that is free from the bondage of debt. This way, they can have time to labor in leading souls to Christ.
It takes diligence to disciple a new convert and to see them established in the faith, but the rewards are great and eternal. May this article be an exhortation to you to make sure that you are in a spiritual condition where the Lord can use you in this. If you are already in such a condition, you could start looking for a soul to disciple.
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