Following Up Bible Study Interests


 

Every interest or request for Bible studies is a precious person who is reaching out for spiritual friendship and Biblical guidance. Here are some very important do’s and don’t’s in responding. Click on the links for brief tutorials. To find more interests click here.

  1. Get Your Resources Ready.
    • DON’T assume you have the Bible study guides without personally checking.
    • DO keep lessons in bulk in the church lobby so they are easily accessible to all. We recommend the basic Amazing Facts Study Guides (Lessons 1-14) that can be ordered in bulk directly from Amazing Facts at 916-434-3880.
    • DO order extra lessons so you don’t have a shortage.
    • DO order Children’s Bible study guides (from Amazing Facts, Voice of Prophecy, It Is Written or other) for those who might request them.
  2. Respond Quickly.
    • DON’T leave the interest cards on your desk or shelf where they will be overlooked or lost.
    • DON’T turn the interests over to someone who can’t or won’t follow up within a week or two.
    • DO respond to the interest cards in two weeks or less so they don’t grow cold.
  3. Respond Personally.
    • DON’T send lessons by mail.
    • DON’T call before you go.
    • DO block out time in your schedule to go personally.
  4. Mobilize Others.
    • DON’T try to make all the visits yourself. Here’s one way to mobilize more people in giving or helping with Bible Studies.
    • DO take people with you personally to get them started.
    • DO send people out two by two to respond to requests.
  5. Focus on Doorstep Visits first.
    • DON’T try to get “in-home” studies at first.
    • DO drop off two lessons each week at the doorstep. Give an extra set of lessons they can share with a friend. Smile and pray briefly with the people. Speak words of encouragement. Here’s what to say at the door.
  6. Stay with interests for 8 weeks.
    • DON’T drop off the first lessons and ask them to contact you when they have done the lessons.
    • DO commit to dropping off lessons each week for eight weeks whether or not they do the lessons. This allows for a relationship to develop at the doorstep. Here’s how the 8 week plan works. Sooner or later they often invite you in to talk about what they are learning in their personal study. When they have completed any lessons review the quiz with them and answer any questions.
    • DO leave the two lessons at the door even if the person is not home. Write a short kind note on the lessons.
  7. Evaluate the level of interest at the end of the 8 weeks.
    • DON’T try to decide the level of interest on the first few visits.
    • DO evaluate the interest at the end of the eight weeks. At the end of the eight weeks all will fit into one of three categories…
      1. Ready to follow Jesus in every area of life, embrace all Bible truth and unite with Jesus’ final movement. Needs to be cleared and finalized for baptism.
      2. Growing but not yet fully surrendered. Needs to be integrated into a group to keep growing toward a decision for baptism and uniting with the Adventist movement.
      3. Low or no interest. Encourage the people to study the lessons and leave your phone number. Invite them to weekly Bible studies for all ages at (your church) at (Sabbath School times). Have a prayer of encouragement.
May the Lord raise up wise workers for His harvest!