New convert instruction

[Esaias]

What is the program that should be followed in teaching new converts?

What subjects, in what order, and how best to integrate their instruction with the general teaching of the established church?

[KWSS1976]

Well I speak from experience and its not run over to Acts 2:38 in the first bible study....lol.

[n david]

Well I speak from experience and its not run over to Acts 2:38 in the first bible study....lol.
Since these are new converts, I would agree.

[navygoat1998]

Since these are new converts, I would agree.

http://tacomaupc.org/image/marvelous.gif :heeheehee

[Ferd]

ok, im going to get contraversial .

Im serious about this....

From an Acorn to an Oak
by Loren Yadon.

[KWSS1976]

I think a good New Convert instruction would start with eairly christian church history and go from there.

[Esaias]

ok, im going to get contraversial .

Im serious about this....

From an Acorn to an Oak
by Loren Yadon.

I looked online but I could not find a table of contents for it to see what subjects, in what order, are taught.

[seekerman]

What is the program that should be followed in teaching new converts?

What subjects, in what order, and how best to integrate their instruction with the general teaching of the established church?

Does the UPC still use the "Search For Truth" teaching aid?

[Originalist]

First, use the Law to bring the knowledge of sin to make sure they are really converted.

Then the parable of the sower.

Finally, Romans chapters 6-8.

Romans 6-8 deals with every major aspect of the salvation experience (the cross, justification, Law vs Grace, walking in the Spirit, repentance, water baptism, and Holy Ghost baptism. Plus they'll be getting a lesson on how to systematically study scripture.)

[Ferd]

I looked online but I could not find a table of contents for it to see what subjects, in what order, are taught.

Im pretty sure that POA uses it. I know they did at least until a few years ago.

you might check with their bookstore. Even as a reference it is very good stuff.

[Ferd]

I looked online but I could not find a table of contents for it to see what subjects, in what order, are taught.

I dont know if you can find it. not sure if it is still out there buy I remember my dad using In Our Fathers House for new converts.

the church tripled retention of new converts once he started using that.

[houston]

...repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment...

[Esaias]

...repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God, Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment...

I would consider that to be 'pre-conversion' instruction, at least in their basics.

I'm talking after conversion, after being baptised, after being admitted to the church.

How do they get discipled? What's the plan?

[Praxeas]

I would focus on the need to pray, read the word, fellowship and church attendance.

Teach them how to pray and how to study the word...

Oh and a good book every new Christian should read? "A Tale of 3 Kings" by Edwards

http://www.amazon.com/Tale-three-Kings-Study-Brokenness/dp/0842369082

[houston]

I would consider that to be 'pre-conversion' instruction, at least in their basics. I'm talking after conversion, after being baptised, after being admitted to the church. How do they get discipled? What's the plan?oh, that...

[Abiding Now]

I would focus on the need to pray, read the word, fellowship and church attendance.

Teach them how to pray and how to study the word...

Oh and a good book every new Christian should read? "A Tale of 3 Kings" by Edwards

http://www.amazon.com/Tale-three-Kings-Study-Brokenness/dp/0842369082

Amen.

I really enjoyed "A Tale of Three Kings" and feel like it is Edwards best.

[Abiding Now]

I dont know if you can find it. not sure if it is still out there buy I remember my dad using In Our Fathers House for new converts.

the church tripled retention of new converts once he started using that.

"In My Father's House" is solid Bible instruction that would be good for anyone, new or seasoned saint.

jmho

[Praxeas]

"In My Father's House" is solid Bible instruction that would be good for anyone, new or seasoned saint.

jmho
The problem I have with this, and all extended "new converts" classes is it's often taught in place of Sunday school with the rest of the church, which separates them from the larger body. To me that alienates them from the body which is why a lot of people become part of a church in part. It lasts a long long time

I believe "new converts" teaching should not last very long so as to integrate them into the body.

Second they SHOULD be learning necessary truths anyways in the regular Sunday school meeting.

I think part of New Converts training should be a long term relationship between the new convert and an elder or some seasoned saint after an initial 2 or 3 convert lessons. Maybe a once a week bible study and fellowship with a seasoned saint or couple

[Abiding Now]

The problem I have with this, and all extended "new converts" classes is it's often taught in place of Sunday school with the rest of the church, which separates them from the larger body. To me that alienates them from the body which is why a lot of people become part of a church in part. It lasts a long long time

I believe "new converts" teaching should not last very long so as to integrate them into the body.

Second they SHOULD be learning necessary truths anyways in the regular Sunday school meeting.

I think part of New Converts training should be a long term relationship between the new convert and an elder or some seasoned saint after an initial 2 or 3 convert lessons. Maybe a once a week bible study and fellowship with a seasoned saint or couple

I have seen new convert classes taught on a different night, during a regular service (but separate) in the fellowship hall, but what really seemed to work best was just teach the whole church during a midweek service.

It renewed the basic doctrine with the saints and helped the new convert to not feel stressed out or like they were "under the gun".

[Praxeas]

I have seen new convert classes taught on a different night, during a regular service (but separate) in the fellowship hall, but what really seemed to work best was just teach the whole church during a midweek service.

It renewed the basic doctrine with the saints and helped the new convert to not feel stressed out or like they were "under the gun".
That is impossible to do here unfortunately. Since we often have several new converts and their work schedules are nuts, most people only have Sunday

BTW I believe that method might be better but that would have to happen monthly since churches often always have a new convert or more

[Ferd]

The problem I have with this, and all extended "new converts" classes is it's often taught in place of Sunday school with the rest of the church, which separates them from the larger body. To me that alienates them from the body which is why a lot of people become part of a church in part. It lasts a long long time

I believe "new converts" teaching should not last very long so as to integrate them into the body.

Second they SHOULD be learning necessary truths anyways in the regular Sunday school meeting.

I think part of New Converts training should be a long term relationship between the new convert and an elder or some seasoned saint after an initial 2 or 3 convert lessons. Maybe a once a week bible study and fellowship with a seasoned saint or couple

I guess im conflicted on this point Prax. I know that way back in the 70s my dad and our pastor at the time, met because, while the church was having great revival, we were retaining barely 10% of the new people that came to into the church.

They put together a plan, dad started teaching new converts class on sunday morning (In our Fathers House) and the numbers shifted to well above 60% retention.

Those numbers were repeated in the 80s here in Dallas.


Now I can say that we have recently seen a large influx of new people here, but instead of Sunday morning classes the Pastor decided to hold a special class on Monday evenings.

SS was tried but for whatever reason, we just didnt have good participation at that time. I think times are very different.

However, his monday night class was very well attended and we have seen very strong retention from those that have progressed thru that class.

I teach the Adult SS class and those people have been part of my class to so they are getting what you suggest here.


either way, I think it is important to get new people well versed in the things that are important, and to get them plugged in to the church itself.

On that second point, we work hard to "plug people in". Whatever is happening in the church, we try to bring new people into the areas of service that will bring them a sense of fulfillment and belonging and ownership.

all of that has to work together. You may be right about not doing the new converts teaching during SS time, but I dont think it should be a quick short experience. I think it can be more extended. I think you just need to figure out what works within the culture of the church and the area you are in.

[renee819]

I just ordered, “The Tale of Three Kings.” Where can I get, “Our Fathers House.?”

Without any study materials, I would start with Adam, and show why we must be born again, then quickly move on to the History of the Church and why Jesus came. And emphasize that after a person is born again, they are the Temple of the Living God.

[angelafmy]

I would focus on the need to pray, read the word, fellowship and church attendance.



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[Michael The Disciple]

Jesus program for a newly baptized convert:

18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matt 28:18-20

Start with the sermon on the mount?

[votivesoul]

Each new convert comes with a different need. A young man in his teens is going to be facing different circumstances than a 40 something single mother of five.

So I think the discipleship should be tailored to the needs of the person. I believe that with much prayer and sensitivity to the voice of the Lord and the leading of the Spirit, a teacher and mentor will never mistake what each new convert needs in the beginning of their walk.

With that being said, I almost always take new converts that I mentor through a study of the Bible first. Get them interested and indoctrinated into the Word Itself. Some call it Bibleology. From there I go into Theology proper, i.e. the nature of God. Then Christology, and onward from there.

I almost always put orthodoxy ahead of orthopraxy when discipling.