our student process

I'm not sure what we do is the right thing, but we try to do four things immediately:

1. Make personal contact with the student through letter and phone call (see sample letter below).

2. Get them plugged into a small group with a caring adult volunteer leader who will "disciple" them.

3. Get them a Bible (often times, it's the One Minute Bible so they can learn to develop the habit of reading God's Word in small portions).

4. Get them through our new believers curriculum (you can see this on our web-site under Discipleship: "Fresh Start").

This curriculum can be taught in a class, gone through individually or in a small group. The sections include:

• Lesson 1 Get a Glimpse! Embrace the significance of being a child of God
• Lesson 2 Get a Grasp! Understand what God has done
• Lesson 3 Get a Grasp! (part 2) Be confident you'll always be a Christian
• Lesson 4 Get some Grace! Rest securely in God's arms
• Lesson 5 Get rid of Guilt! Don't let your past ruin your future
• Lesson 6 Get a Group! Connect with other Christians
• Lesson 7 Get to God! Learn to talk with God
• Lesson 8 Get a Grip! Trust God when bad things happen
• Lesson 9 Get to Grow! Develop new, healthy habits
• Lesson 10 Get to Give! Congratulations, you're gifted.

(As with all of our curriculum, it comes with electronic files so you can alter it and personalize it to fit the needs your youth ministry).
[Here's a sample letter we send out]

Dear Joe,

Congratulations, on making a commitment to Jesus Christ. Last weekend, when I took a spiritual survey you wrote a “C” on your card—which meant—“Iwant to make a commitment to Jesus Christ today." Iwanted to write you a letter and let you know that I am thrilled you want to live God’s wayand have a personal relationship with Him!

I also wanted to write you and let you know a few things that I believe will help you grow in your spiritual journey.

As a student ministry, we will do whatever we can to help you grow in your relationship with God. Anything! From meetings, books, conversations, e-mails, anything. Just ask.Also, we have adults and student leaders who have walked with Jesus for a long time waiting to come alongside you and help you grow.
I would encourage you to attend Class 101 this weekend. It’s from 1:30-3:30 and it’s in room 306. It is an introductory class that will explain all about the church, our student ministry, and what it means to have a relationship with God.
We have a booklet that we'd like to give you called, Fresh Start with God and it will help you get some questions answered and find out what the Bible says about you, your new life with God, and what it means to be a Christian. You can either go through this booklet on your own or someone will go through it with you.
I’d love to encourage you to get involved with asmall group. There’s several to choose from and our small groups are really the backbone of our student ministry. Can I help you find the right one? I’d be happy to!
Please feel free to call or write and either myself or one of our other leaders will get back to youimmediately. I've found that all new believershave some questions. Please ask away and we'll try to guide you in the right direction. I will be calling you in the next couple of days to see if I can get you a Bible and answer any questions.