Module 7
Raising Leaders and Discipling New Believers After Release
“Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:” — Colossians 1:28
Lesson
What You Will Learn
- Describe how Moses, Jesus, Paul, and Barnabas raised up others to lead
- Use the Hand-Off Ladder (Watch, Help, Lead, Launch) to develop a new facilitator
- Disciple a new believer after release with practical wisdom and healthy boundaries
- Connect a new believer to a local church and appropriate community help
Lesson Notes
Too Heavy to Carry Alone
Jethro told Moses, Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone (Exodus 18:18).
Paul's goal was to present every man perfect (mature) in Christ Jesus (Colossians 1:28). A healthy discipler works to make herself less necessary.
Barnabas gave Paul a chance when others were afraid (Acts 9:27) and gave John Mark a second chance (Acts 15:37–39). Years later Paul wrote, Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry (2 Timothy 4:11).
Choosing and Growing Faithful Leaders
Paul told Timothy to commit the message to faithful people (2 Timothy 2:2). Look for women who are faithful (they show up and keep their word), available (they have room to serve), and teachable (they receive correction and keep learning). Character matters more than talent.
Do not rush. Paul warned, Lay hands suddenly on no man (1 Timothy 5:22). A new believer needs time to grow before she leads (1 Timothy 3:6 warns against putting a novice in charge).
The Hand-Off Ladder is a simple way to raise a new facilitator:
- Watch: she watches you lead the whole meeting. Afterward, talk about why you did what you did.
- Help: she leads one part (for example, Look Back) while you lead the rest.
- Lead: she leads the whole meeting while you help and give encouraging feedback afterward.
- Launch: she starts her own group. You check in, pray for her, and then step back. Jesus did something similar with the Twelve (Mark 6:7, 30).
Discipling New Believers After Release
Release brings joy and pressure: housing, work, supervision, family, and old temptations. A new believer needs a patient, steady discipler. As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word (1 Peter 2:2): keep it simple.
- Meet in safe, public, approved places: a church, a coffee shop, a library, or by phone where appropriate.
- Check supervision conditions: probation or parole conditions sometimes limit contact with other people who have records. Before meeting with someone, each of you should check with your supervising officer if this could apply.
- Do not become her only help: you are not her case manager, lender, lawyer, or counselor. Do not lend or borrow money. Point her to her case manager and re-entry services: ____________________.
- Keep healthy boundaries: women disciple women; respect her freedom; never promise total secrecy.
Connecting Her to a Local Church
A discipler is a bridge, not a destination. Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles (Acts 9:27).
Help her find a Bible-teaching church that welcomes returning citizens and has healthy, accountable leadership. If you can, go with her the first time and introduce her to a women's leader. Watch for the warning signs of unhealthy authority from CMD 271 (control, isolation, secrecy, shame); she is free to seek another church.
Get help immediately for crisis: talk of suicide, self-harm, harming someone, abuse, or a medical emergency. Call 911 for an emergency, or call or text 988. Stay with her if it is safe, and never promise to keep it secret.
Key Terms
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Faithful, available, teachable | Three marks to look for in a new leader (2 Timothy 2:2) |
| Hand-Off Ladder | This course's four steps for raising a facilitator: Watch, Help, Lead, Launch |
| Novice | A new believer who needs time to grow before leading (1 Timothy 3:6) |
| Bridge, not destination | A discipler connects a new believer to Jesus and a local church rather than to herself |
In-Class Activities
Climb the Ladder
Read the composite: Keisha has attended your practice group for four meetings. She is always on time, asks good questions, and prays for others. She says she could never lead. (Keisha is a composite example.) Write what you would do at each step of the Hand-Off Ladder over the next six meetings, and two encouraging things you could say to her.
First Month Out
Read the composite: Lena trusted Jesus in a facility Bible study and was released last week. She lives in a transitional home, reports to a parole officer, has no car, and has never been to church outside. (Lena is a composite example.) Write a plan for the first four weeks: where and how you would connect (within any supervision limits), a simple passage for each week, one practical referral (by role), and how you will help her get to a local church.
Assignment: Final Project Draft: Hand-Off and Connection Plan
Draft the second section of Part Two of your final project (see the Final Project section).
- Hand-Off plan: how you will use Watch, Help, Lead, Launch to raise one new facilitator from your group.
- What makes a good next leader: three qualities you will look for and why.
- New believer after release: three practical guidelines (including supervision, meeting places, and money).
- Church connection: how you will help a new believer connect to a local church, and who you will refer to (by role) for practical needs and for crisis.
- Include Colossians 1:28 and Acts 9:27.
Graded with the Module Assignment Rubric.
Reflection Journal
Barnabas gave Paul and John Mark a chance when others would not. Who took a chance on you? Who might God be asking you to believe in, encourage, and help to lead?
Prayer focus: Ask God for eyes to see faithful, available, and teachable women, for patience to raise them up, and for humility to step back so that Christ is the center.
Weekly Reading & Devotions
Barnabas Took Him
When Saul first came to Jerusalem as a new believer, the disciples were afraid of him. But Barnabas took him, and brought him to the apostles (Acts 9:27). Later Barnabas gave John Mark a second chance, and years later Paul called Mark profitable to me for the ministry. God uses people who believe in others.
Raising a leader is a ladder: she watches you lead, then helps with one part, then leads while you help, then launches her own group while you check in and step back. Look for women who are faithful, available, and teachable, and do not rush a new believer into leadership.
When Lena was released, her discipler did not try to solve everything. (Lena is a composite example.) They each checked with their supervising officers first. They met at a church on Saturday mornings and read one short passage. When Lena needed a ride to work, her discipler pointed her to her case manager instead of lending money. On Lena's first Sunday, her discipler sat beside her and introduced her to the women's ministry leader.
You are a bridge, not a destination. Connect new believers to Jesus, to a healthy local church, and to the right help. In a crisis, call 911, or call or text 988, and never promise to keep it secret.
Think About It
- Who has been a Barnabas to you? ______________________
- Who might be ready to climb the Hand-Off Ladder? ______________________
- What boundary will protect you and a new believer after release? ______________________
Daily Devotions for Week 7
Not Alone
Thou wilt surely wear away, both thou, and this people that is with thee: for this thing is too heavy for thee; thou art not able to perform it thyself alone.— Exodus 18:18 (KJV)
No one is meant to carry ministry alone. Sharing the load is wise.
Reflect: What are you trying to carry alone?
Pray: Lord, show me whom to share the load with.
Do: Name one woman you could invite to help.
Present Every One
Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:— Colossians 1:28 (KJV)
The goal is maturity in Christ, not dependence on us.
Reflect: How can you help someone grow beyond needing you?
Pray: Lord, help me point others to You.
Do: Let someone else lead a small part of something today.
Profitable for the Ministry
Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.— 2 Timothy 4:11 (KJV)
Mark once left the work, yet God restored him to usefulness. Second chances are God's specialty.
Reflect: Who needs a second chance from you?
Pray: Lord, thank You for second chances.
Do: Encourage someone who has stumbled.
Newborn Babes
As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:— 1 Peter 2:2 (KJV)
New believers need simple, nourishing truth, not heavy loads.
Reflect: How can you keep things simple for a new believer?
Pray: Lord, make me gentle with new believers.
Do: Choose one simple passage to share with a newer believer.
Receive One Another
Wherefore receive ye one another, as Christ also received us to the glory of God.— Romans 15:7 (KJV)
Welcoming returning citizens into the church reflects how Christ welcomed us.
Reflect: How has Christ received you?
Pray: Lord, help me welcome others as You welcomed me.
Do: Write how you will help someone feel welcome at church.
Module Quiz
- 1.
In Exodus 18:18, Jethro told Moses the work was:
- 2.
The four steps of the Hand-Off Ladder are:
- 3.
When discipling a new believer after release, a healthy discipler:
- 4.
Probation or parole conditions may limit contact with other people who have records, so both women should check with their supervising officers when this could apply.
- 5.
What three qualities should a discipler look for in a new leader, according to this lesson?