Key thought: Helping new converts and believers get rooted in Christ goes a long way in minimising losses in the harvest. New believers must be consolidated in their faith

What are some of the causes of the losses in the harvest? Matthew 13:20-22

• They have no root and so wither away
• They are choked by the cares of the world and deceitfulness of riches

Case studies

• The Rich Young man Matthew 19:21-22 
  • There are many that are sorrowful because they cannot let go of what they treasure most.
• Simon the magician Act 8:18-20  
  • There are some that have believed, but their mind-sets and worldview has not been renewed.
• Zacchaeus Luke 19:5, 8 
  • This is a good example of a new convert who has processed what it is to be transformed and demonstrates it thought wilful restitution.

The call to make disciples

It can be summarised as winning souls and discipling believers

In the G12 system, we have what is called the ladder of success which Win, Consolidate, Disciple and Send which summarises what making disciples is

Believers that have gone through consolidation are easy to disciple and become effective soul winners.

What is Consolidation?

It is a process of care, attention and continuous contact with the new believer starting from their conversion until they feel strong and cheerful about becoming a disciple of Jesus.

It is a process of helping new believers to ‘’carry their cross’’

Example of the consolidation of Paul the Apostle

• Ananias – After Paul’s encounter with the Lord, God sent Ananias to minister to him – this was some form of consolidation
• Barnabas – He played the role of both consolidating and discipling or mentoring Paul

Challenges in the consolidation process

• Fear - Acts 9:26 
• Hesitancy - Acts 9:13 
•  Impatience - Acts 15:38 

 Practical aspects of consolidation

• Get to know the new convert - verify the new believer's particulars – Jesus called Zaccheaus by name
• Pray for the new believer with genuine concern - Galatians 4:19 
• Arrange for a visit -“Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for I must stay at your house today.”
• Visitation is best done within the shortest possible period of time, in the G12 movement it is recommended that this should be done in the first 48 hours
• At the home visit, assess the new believer's needs
• Introduce the new believer to the community of believers - a cell group and get him or her started in the Life Class

Activities and topics to cover during consolidation

• Assurance of salvation
• New converts have to be taught to walk in confidence that that they are saved
• The development of spiritual disciplines
• Prayer, fasting, reading the word of God, meditation
• Deliverance from demonic oppression, addictions
• Believers cannot be possessed by demons but some can be oppressed if not properly rooted and discipled
• The baptism of the Holy Spirit