Follow up Instruction Sheet

Follow Up Instruction Sheet

It’s very important that for every student that fills out a questionnaire we must seek to get back in touch with them in the next 24 to 48 hours because historically we’ve lost people to Satan, the world and the flesh (1 John 2:15-16 & John 10:10a). Be aware that the Follow-Up process can take up to 6-8 weeks!

 After generating contacts (questionnaires students filled out) spend the next 24 hours praying over students who expressed interest in anything.

 You want to have initial contact with everyone that fills out a questionnaire within the first 48 hours. That could be an e-mail or even a voicemail. This shows them that you are serious about getting back in touch with them. But don’t stop there…

 You eventually want to call each person, talk to them on the phone, and set up an appointment. Be sure to get face-to-face with the most interested students first. o Those who express interest in the gospel are top priority o Those interested in bible study are next o Then those who check “maybe” comes next

As you know, students are busy and one phone call may not be enough. If you call and someone is not there, you can leave a message similar to this: “Hi this is ______with The Impact Movement. I’m calling about the survey that you filled out when you received the bag with the free Bible and CD in it. I’m sorry I missed you, but I will try to reach you at another time.”

You can choose to leave your own phone number on the message, but do not expect them to call you back. They probably won’t. You need to continue to call until you reach them. If they indicated that they are interested, you need to work off of that assumption until they tell you otherwise. Persistence pays off!

 We want to sit down and share the “Passage” with everyone regardless of what their experience has been…it’s a good way to explain what we are about…the Gospel! o Just because someone has said they go to church, don’t necessarily assume their have placed their faith in Christ. o You can ask these two questions to help transition to the gospel: 1. If you were to die today, how sure are you that you would go to heaven (on a scale of 0 – 100%)? 2. If you were to die and you were standing before God and He asked, “Why should I let you into heaven?” what would you say?

These questions help to reveal what (or who) an individual is trusting in for the forgiveness of their sins. By going through the “Passage” with each individual you meet with, you’re ensuring that they are getting to hear the gospel clearly and you’re able to address their questions and misconceptions about Christianity.

o After walking them through the “Passage”, you will want to offer to take them through the “Satisfied” booklet as well. The “Satisfied” booklet explains the role of the Holy Spirit, who gives us the power to live the Christian life. However, because it may take a half-hour or more to go through the “Passage”, you may want to set up another time to go through the “Satisfied” booklet with them if they are under a time crunch. Seek to meet with them the following day or later on that week.

 Get “face to face” with as many people as possible because you’re the one representing Impact. o For those who aren’t ready to receive Christ or rededicate their lives continue to cultivate those relationships by inviting them to future socials, large group meeting, etc. Assume that they are interested unless they have told you otherwise. Note: Just because they aren’t ready today doesn’t mean they won’t be ready tomorrow!

 We prefer you follow-up each person individually but if you’re the only one, you may want to use the “Follow Up” group format for multiple students: o Sit down with each person and walk them through the above materials (The Passage & Satisfied booklets). o If your time is limited, bring individuals into a “Follow-Up” group setting using the “The Journey” bible study series . Limit each group to 10 people in order for group members to build community and connection with each other. If a positive contact doesn’t want to come to the group, but they are very interested then be sure to meet with them one-on-one. o With each group of 10 people – seek to meet with them over a meal or just hang out with them to get to know them outside of the Follow-Up group setting to build and cultivate a friendship. You never know…someone from this group may be the future leader of your Impact chapter.

 Following up students individually or in groups is an “All Hands on Deck” priority for a 6-8 week period. This means that everyone involved in your Impact chapter needs to be focused on this. Other things that can be done while new students are being followed up: o Social events – be sure to use comment cards to catch new students to follow-up. o Weekly meeting with an evangelistic focus – be sure to use comment cards to catch new people to follow up from this event. o Note: The first 6-weeks of the fall semester is the most critical time to do evangelism by distributing Impact kits and creating venues for new students to check out Impact. ALWAYS use comment cards w/ an opportunity for new students to write down their name, dorm, and email and phone number to follow them up. Your future leaders could walk through the door of each freshmen class!!!!! o Content to follow-up individuals or in a group are “The Journey” series. Have your coach email these to you.

Note: Weekly meetings (unless it has an evangelistic focus) and Bible studies for returning students are to be postponed until every new student is followed up in that first 6-8 week window!

 Once you’re done taking new students through the above follow-up series, you will have come across some students that are FAT – faithful, available and teachable. You will want to meet with each of these students individually and challenge them to discipleship. Coming soon will be a “Discipleship Manual” that will give you a step- by-step approach to discipling (helping another person grow).

You will need to use discernment, though, with who you choose to spend a lot of time with in a discipleship relationship. You do have a responsibility to take all new believers and young Christians through “The Journey”, but you are not responsible to personally disciple everyone on an on-going basis that wants to meet with you personally week after week. Your time is valuable and you want to be investing your time in future leaders who are committed to living out the Impact mission and vision! Look for those faithful, available and teachable people to build into as future leaders.

 For any newer student that wants to continue in a Bible study together, you can take them through “The Master’s Life” series. Returning students can study lessons from “The Grill.”

 Eventually, you want to get to the point where every active member of your Impact chapter has gone through, at minimum, the “Passage”, “Satisfied”, “The Journey” series, and the Masters Life series.

Refer to the documents entitled “Connecting the Dots” and “Leading a Movement – 6 Weeks that Count” for a fuller understanding of the whole process of follow-up.