Introduction

Jump-Start is a pre-discipleship workbook written to help brand new Christians take their first steps as followers of Jesus Christ. It is best to go over this material with an experienced Christian.

The recent emphasis among evangelicals on spiritual formation has influenced this manual. Hopefully this has enhanced its value as a tool to start new Christians down the path of spiritual growth in Christ and rich fellowship with other believers.

Jump-Start not only helps new believers get off to a good start in their Christian walk, but it also serves as a “trial balloon” for further discipleship. If the response to this material is good and if the relationship that develops is positive, then the next logical step would be to enter into an ongoing discipleship relationship. Ideally, a group of two or three people would make any continuing discipleship effort very rewarding.

About the Author

Jerry Reed (D.Miss) is the Milton B. Engebretson Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at North Park Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL. His passion for follow-up and discipling builds on his 22 years of experience in evangelism and church planting in Ecuador and Mexico. The author is indebted to his students for some of the themes of Jump-Start. Particular thanks must go to Daniel Demming for his encouragement, ideas, and editing.