Your Unbelieving Friend Just Heard the Gospel, Now What?

So you sent the Easter Sunday sermon link to your non-Christian friend, family member, or neighbor. They watched the singing, heard the Bible readings, and listened to the sermon. Now what?

The most effective evangelism and discipleship includes follow-up. In other words, we don’t grenade the gospel into people’s lives and then leave them alone to sort it all out. Christ actually calls us beyond evangelism into discipling. Discipling includes telling people the gospel, but also teaching them to obey everything Christ has commanded us (Matt. 28:19). To do this effectively, we must be willing to share our lives -- not just our links -- with people

So let’s say your friends and family just heard Sunday’s message about Jesus' resurrection. They heard several reasons why it’s true that Jesus is alive. They heard that they could be reconciled to God, have their sins forgiven, and escape death if they trust him. What do they need now? How can you follow up?

First of all, pray. If you’re not already, start praying for those people every day. God loves to show his power in response to our petitions. 

Second of all, enlist a few other people to pray with you. Tell some others from church about who you're praying for, and ask if they would pray with you. 

Third, reach out again soon. I don’t want to be too specific here, because every relationship is different and we don’t want to promote cookie-cutter techniques. But what if you shot them a text asking whether they agreed with the sermon? Or asked if they’d be willing to come to church with you next time the doors are open? What if you shared next Sunday’s sermon or sent them a gospel tract?

My family put together an Easter basket with candy, a note, Greg Gilbert’s book What is the Gospel?, and, of course, some toilet paper! Today I followed up and was encouraged to hear that the couple said they’d start reading the book together - pray for fruit! Whatever you do, don’t leave them hanging. Make follow-up contact.

Fourth, think strategically about how to create an ongoing discussion around Christ. The idea is that you don’t want this to be an Easter-only thing. Again, everyone must seek the Lord’s wisdom as to how this works in the relationships you have. It’s worth considering. Perhaps you offer to read through the gospel of Mark. Maybe you ask how you can pray for them, and then plan to follow up with them in a few weeks or months. Would they be willing to attend a Bible study? Think through ways that might elongate this conversation about Christ.

Fifth, rest in God’s sovereignty. He is accomplishing his purposes. Though we desire to do all we can for the sake of the elect (2 Tim. 2:10), we also rest in the promise that those who are his “will listen to his voice” (Jn. 10:16). Let’s be faithful to continue bringing the gospel into all our relationships, praying for God’s mighty hand to save.