Today, Blake Appleby and I had a conversation about the importance of next steps in student ministry. How do we help students understand salvation? How do we explain baptism? What happens after baptism to grow?

I use a few resources to help make next steps as clear as possible:

1. Once a student makes a commitment to Jesus, we ask them to meet us at the connect table in the back of the room. - We have students fill out connect cards with their info and what decision they make. - We give them a free Bible (We use the "5" minute Bible or the Simple Truth Bible) as a help for them to start reading the Bible. - We include a baptism brochure in the Bible. It includes questions and scripture explaining the purpose of baptism. It is simple to explain the basics of baptism on the spot.

2. The week after the decision, we contact them and encourage them to be baptized. We always seek to talk to the parents to help the family in the process. Remember, parents are the primary spiritual influence in a student's life.

3. We connect them to their small group leader to be mentored and build relationships with other students. Growth happens the best with caring adults who mentor them.

This is definitely not a definitive explanation of next steps, but it is a start. This is just the beginning of the process of helping students follow Christ.

What steps do you have to help students follow Christ?