Teen Follow-Up and Discipleship

I will feed my flock, and I will cause them to lie down, saith the Lord GOD. Ezekiel 34:15

The shepherd is not satisfied until the sheep are both nourished and settled.  A vital part of growing a healthy teen ministry is to follow up with every teen and to disciple as many teens as possible in your youth ministry.

 The Vision

• To Ensure that Follow-Up is done with Every Teen (Leader’s Responsibility)
• To Endeavor to provide Discipleship to Every Teen (Learner’s Responsibility)

The Follow-Up Plan

• Create a Teen Ministry Email for a shared, safe and accountable contact
• Create a Teen Ministry Social Media accounts
• Obtain Current Members and Visitor information on Registration Cards
  • Today’s Date, Name, Address, Cell Phone, Email, Guardian names and phone numbers
  • Birthdays are good to track for members but its creepy for visitors
• Develop a Follow-Up Strategy
  • Visitor letter to be sent out by Tuesday
  • Personal visit to be done by Saturday
  • Decide how many follow up letters and visits to do
• Create Standard Follow-Up letters for all visitors
  • Prospect Visitors
  • Out of Town Visitors
  • Other Church Visitors
• Make Personal Visits
• Track Visitor Contacts
• Connect on Social Media
• Connect current teen members with new visitors and prospects

The Discipleship Plan

• To Disciple is to train in the Disciplines of a System
• The level of discipleship is determined by the Desire of the Student
• Biblical Discipleship is the deliberate transfer of knowledge and training in the ways of Christian living

Corporate Discipleship

• Jesus discipled the Twelve both together and individually
• Active church participation is Irreplaceable for any Christian to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Healthy sheep are always in the heard!
• There is the “Follow Me” discipleship of being a consistent Spiritual leader
• There is the “Serve with Me” discipleship which provides multiple opportunities for both group and individual development
• Have an high level overview of what doctrines and truths you will both teach, train and model to them in the time they are in your youth ministry

Individual Discipleship

• Daily devotions are Indispensable for a Christian to become a true disciple of Jesus Christ. Dynamic daily devotions of prayer and bible Study go way beyond just checking off chapters and saying obligatory prayers!
• Teach and Train teens on how to have a Powerful Prayer life and a Bountiful Bible Time
• Provide Teen Devotional materials like the Play Book
• Look for Teachable Moments to impart Truth and Life Lessons
• Be prepared to Mentor and Disciple those who seek to grow to higher levels also be aware that Higher Levels bring Bigger Devils
• Personal discipleship is an investment of Time and Resources
• Personal and direct communication is vital to fostering an atmosphere of discipleship

Robert Pophal
Senior Pastor | Rose Park Baptist Church of Holland, Michigan
http://www.roseparkbaptistchurch.com/