Week 3 check-in
Following Jesus with his people

Your role

This week moves from private practice to shared life, and that is where you can help most. You likely know your church better than they do. Introduce them to people, explain how things work, and sit with them on Sunday if you can. Encourage them to be baptized, and for questions about communion, point them to a pastor.

Plan for about an hour, or meet after a church gathering you attend together.

Before you meet

• Pray for your friend by name, and for any relationship they mentioned that needs forgiveness or repair.
• Read Acts 2:41-47 and Hebrews 10:19-25 yourself. Belonging and mutual encouragement carry the week.
• Find out who they should talk to at your church about baptism, groups, and serving, so you can make a real introduction.

Open the conversation

Start with the booklet’s three things:

• One discovery. Something they learned about Jesus or his people.
• One question. Something they are unsure about.
• One prayer need. Something they want you to pray about.

Day 21 asks them to discuss one next step in church connection, baptism, or service, and to talk about what has helped their daily Bible reading and prayer. Leave room for both.

Questions to ask

Choose two or three.

• Which part of the shared life in Acts 2 feels most missing from your week? (Day 15)
• Have you asked a pastor about being baptized? What is holding you back, if anything? (Day 16)
• Is there an apology you need to make, or a hurt you need help bringing to God? (Day 17)
• Do you tend to feel unnecessary in the church, or like you need no one? (Day 19)

What to listen for

Hesitation about church. Some new believers have been hurt by churches, feel like outsiders, or simply do not know anyone. Do not argue. Offer to go with them, introduce them to one or two people, and help them find a group where they can be known.

Hesitation about baptism. Day 16 and chapter 8 ask every new believer to be baptized now, even if they were baptized at an earlier time in their life. If they hesitate, listen for why: embarrassment, family expectations, or a sense that an earlier baptism should be enough. Gently point them back to Jesus’ command (Matthew 28:18-20) and remind them that being baptized again does no harm. Encourage them to ask a pastor this week, and offer to go with them. If their church is unwilling, help them find one that will walk with them in obeying Jesus.

Forgiveness and safety. Day 17 asks about apologizing and about hurts they have received. Encourage specific apologies without excuses where it is appropriate. But if they describe abuse, danger, or a relationship where a direct conversation would be unsafe, do not push reconciliation. Involve a pastor promptly.

Serving too little or too much. Some will hold back because they feel they have nothing to offer. Others will throw themselves into serving to prove something. Day 19 names both. Help them find one suitable place to help while they keep receiving teaching and care.

Communion questions. Day 20 asks them to learn how your church observes the Lord’s Supper. Explain what you know, and point them to a pastor for anything you are unsure about.

Pray together

Invite them to pray, then pray for their next step with the church. If they named someone they need to forgive or apologize to, pray for that relationship together. Day 21 asks them to thank someone who has helped them follow Jesus. If that is you, receive it graciously.

Before you leave

• Set your final check-in for around day 30. The booklet also suggests a conversation around day 28, so a short text or call that week helps.
• Make one concrete introduction this week: a pastor, a group leader, or someone who serves where they might fit.
• Do not add homework. The booklet is enough.

This week’s readings