In the United States, 90% of pastors identify Easter as their highest-attended service of the year (Baptist Press). Churches invest heavily in promotion, preparing additional services and organizing volunteer teams. Stadiums are rented, and some churches hold as many as 21 services to celebrate the resurrection of Christ.
There’s great joy in the celebration, and the Gospel is boldly proclaimed — but what happens the day after Easter, especially for those who are moved or respond in faith?
From Event to Movement: A Story of Intentional Follow-Up
One year during the Easter season, I had the opportunity to train 20 committed church members to immediately follow up with those who responded to the message of Christ. The goal wasn’t just to make phone call but to sit down face-to-face, over coffee or in person, and help these individuals take their next steps in following Jesus.
Of those 20 volunteers, 10 connected with new believers (first-time respondents). Each of these ten guides walked alongside their new believers through four foundational discipleship lessons. These lessons were designed to:
- Confirm the assurance of salvation.
- Help them begin reading the Bible and praying daily (using the Book of John as a guide).
- Teach them how to follow Jesus as Savior and Lord.
- Encourage them to share their faith and personal testimony.
Within three to four months, we witnessed three generations of disciples — new believers reaching out to others who in turn began discipling their own circles. These believers came from various backgrounds and communities, proving again that lost people know lost people, and that new believers often have a natural reach into unreached networks.
“New wine needs new wineskins.”
For spiritual growth to take root, we need fresh structures that nurture, equip and encourage believers to grow and multiply.
Other Church Strategies for Post-Easter Growth
Many churches have implemented simple but powerful tools to continue discipleship beyond Easter Sunday, including:
- Launching 6–8-week small group series for new believers to join.
- Creating new classes or even entire services focused on early spiritual growth.
- Training members to walk with new believers one-on-one.
These strategies recognize that the Gospel does not return void and that the day after Easter may hold the greatest opportunity for harvest if the church is ready to respond.
One Week of One-Verse Discipleship
An effective tool for engaging new believers after Easter is the One-Verse Discipleship model. This seven-day devotional series guides them through key truths of the Gospel and the Christian life.
Day-by-Day Scripture Focus
- Day 1 – John 1:12
“Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.”
(Context: John 1:1–14) - Day 2 – 1 John 5:13
“I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”
(Context: 1 John 5:11–13) - Day 3 – 2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
(Context: 2 Cor. 5:17–21) - Day 4 – Galatians 2:20
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me…” - Day 5 – Luke 9:23
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.” - Day 6 – John 15:5
“I am the vine; you are the branches… apart from me you can do nothing.”
(Context: John 15:1–16) - Day 7 – Acts 2:42
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer”
(Context: Acts 2:42–47)
The Mission: Cast Vision Early
From Day 1, the disciple-maker should share this commission as a vision for every believer:
Matthew 28:19–20
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you…”
Daily Discipleship Process
Each day, meet with the new believer (in person or virtually) and walk through the following reflective questions:
- How has God led you to share and live out His truths?
- What challenges have you faced in living out your faith?
- What can I pray for you?
- What is God saying to you today? (Use the scripture of the day)
Then, dig deeper into the verse using the S.P.E.C.K.A. method:
- Sin to confess
- Promise to claim
- Example to follow
- Command to obey
- Knowledge of God revealed
- Application to my life today
Conclusion
Easter is not just a single day of celebration—it is a God moment with the potential to spark Kingdom growth. But the church must be ready to act the day after. With intentional follow-up, structured discipleship, and Spirit-led relationships, we can help turn Easter responses into lifelong journeys of faith for the glory of God.
All Scripture is from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
State Missionary Brian Harper serves as lead church planting strategist at the Alabama Baptist State Board of Missions. He may be contacted at 1-800-264-1225, ext. 2332, or (334) 613-2332, bharper@alsbom.org.
by