Today’s post comes to us from Steve Addison, author and church planting specialist. Steve has been a life-long student of movements that renew and expand the Christian faith. Steve began his research into Christian movements in the late 1980s while serving as a church planter in Melbourne, Australia. He carried that interest into his Doctor of Ministry with Fuller Seminary. He is the author of three books on movements and he leads MOVE, a mission agency dedicated to multiplying disciples and churches everywhere.

Forget the Engels Scale, the most responsive person on the planet is someone who has just seen the life of a friend or family member changed by the gospel.

That changes everything. That’s why Jesus sent the woman at the woman at the well back into her village. That’s why he sent the demoniac back to his home. He turned new believers into missionaries. Immediately. Immediately means within 48 hours of a person coming to Christ. That’s the 48 hour rule.

How do we do that? There are three things a new believer needs to know.

1. Why

Take out a coin that has the head of a king or queen on it. Explain that now Jesus is now their sovereign, their king. In Mark 1:17 he commands his first disciples to follow him. He is the ruler of our lives. But there are two sides to every coin. The flip side of following Jesus is that he promises to teach us to fish for people. Fishing for people is the job of every disciple.

You can’t split a coin. You can’t separate following Jesus from making disciples.

2. Who

Then ask, “Who do you know who needs to know Jesus?” Help them draw their “oikos” or people map. Pray with the new believer for their family and friends and asks who they could share with in the coming week.

3. How

Finally, the person needs to be able to share a simple gospel presentation wrapped in their story.

I’ve become a big fan of the Three Circles. It’s clear, simple and memorable.

To read the entire article, including more information about the Three Circles, click here.

Your partner in ministry,

Nelson

© Nelson Searcy. All Rights Reserved.

About Nelson Searcy

Nelson Searcy is an experienced church growth strategist, pastor, church planter and coach, consulting with churches around the world. As founder of Church Leader Insights and the Renegade Pastors Network, he has personally trained more than 3,500 church leaders in over 45 denominations through live events, seminars and monthly coaching. Nelson is also the Founding and Lead Pastor of The Journey Church, with locations across New York City and in Boca Raton, FL. Nelson and his church routinely appear on lists such as “The 50 Most Influential Churches” and “The 25 Most Innovative Leaders.” He is the author of over 100 church growth resources and 18+ books, including The Renegade Pastor: Abandoning Average in Your Life, Ministry and The Difference Maker: Using Your Everyday Life for Eternal Impact, and At the Cross with the People Who Were There. He and his wife, Kelley, have one son, Alexander.