Follow-up: an integral part of witnessing - Acts 15v22-41

What happened in the church at Antioch underpin the need for following up the fruit of our obedience to tell others about Christ.  In that case, some came from Jerusalem to preach “additions” to the condition for salvation which led to the delegation to the headquarters for clarification.
It is important that built into the programme of evangelization (bringing people to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ), is the plan for following them up to nurture them to maturity.

How did the church of old do this:
i.    Teaching from the word: v35.
The initial converts devoted themselves to the apostles teaching (Acts 2v42), Paul and Barnabas spent time teaching the church in Antioch. Acts 11v26.  The goal of teaching is to expose the new believers to deeper understanding of their relationship with their new Lord and Master.  Teaching is designed to build up the believers.
ii.    Fellowship v32
The visit of Judas and Silas to the Antioch church included time “to share with the fellowship, to encourage and strengthen the brothers”.  This might focus on encouragement to develop habits that would enhance and deepen their relationship with the Lord and with one another - e. g: an encouragement to have a regular quiet time with the Lord and to encourage them to get involved in activities that would build up such fellowships.
iii.    Caring (v36)
Visitation with a view to knowing how the brothers were doing.  That was how Barnabas was sent to Antioch in chapter 11.  Paul said let us visit and see how they are doing.  Caring extends to even letter writing as was done by the apostles not to talk of all the epistles of Paul.  It is said that any child abandoned at birth has a very slim chance of normal development but those nurtured within the context of love would develop normally to maturity.  How apt it is for babies in Christ - the fruit of witnessing. So much attention should be given to follow-up as to evangelism.
Father, equip me with the maturity and sensitivities to follow-up babies in Christ that I come across.  AMEN.