The Importance of Follow-Through

Any golf or tennis coach teaches the importance of follow-through in your swing; what you do after the ball is struck. Follow-through determines the trajectory of the ball and whether or not it lands in the desired location.

Jesus stressed the importance of good follow-through at the end of the Sermon on the Mount when he contrasted the results of a wise and a foolish builder. The wise person’s dwelling overcame all the elements thrown at it and flourished. The foolish builder’s house, however, fell with a great crash. What was the difference between the two? Scripture tells us both builders heard the Word of God, but only the wise one put into practice what they heard — they followed through!

I have lists of former club kids I pray for on a weekly basis, many years after they graduated. It thrills me over time to pray for them as they move across the page from being a seeker, to a convert, to a disciple, to a leader, and finally to a world-changer. As I pray, the Spirit prompts me to reach out to various ones to see how they’re doing, or to send them a verse with a timely theme.

Praying over these lists has made one thing abundantly clear: the clubs I was only in for a year or two produced very little long-term fruit. I was not given sufficient time to “follow through” with those relationships. For some, I saw the first half of our mission statement realized (“introducing adolescents to Jesus Christ”), but the second half was left unfulfilled (“helping them grow in their faith”).

We in Young Life know well that the longer we’re able to walk with a kid, the better chance they have of forming a solid, growing relationship with Jesus — one that’s able to overcome the obstacles the world throws at them. We also know the average tenure of a volunteer leader is only two years, so how do we help all our leaders — staff included — experience not only much fruit, but the lasting fruit Jesus desires? How can we excel in follow-through?

Here is one idea … I call it 5-4-5 Discipleship. See what you think.

5-4-5 Discipleship – Good News for Every Kid!

“I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last.” — John 15:16

Why:

We know effective discipleship takes years, not months. So, whether someone is a leader for one year or 10, they’ll have an open door of influence in the lives of some of their “Young Life kids” for many years, perhaps even for life! What a privilege to visit kids in college or at their work, and witness their weddings and the baptisms of their children! It’s also a gift to be present relationally when hardship strikes.

How might it impact your relationships with kids if you saw them as friends for life?

“Young people need adults to accompany them through the key phases of their young lives. They need mentors who walk with them long term.” — Kevin Bohli, 20-year diocesan director of youth and family ministry, Arlington, Virginia

Rick, back left, with men he’s walked through life with since they were Young Life kids.

What:

Each leader is assigned five kids, especially graduating seniors, to intentionally follow up for (at least) five years (5-4-5). Here are a few investments leaders can make in the kids under their charge:

Follow-Up Check List

Getting Started, Make a Plan

Develop a prayer strategy
Form a spiritual growth plan
Plug into a church
Discern the next best camp or service experience for their continued growth
Help them prepare their testimony and encourage sharing it with friends and family
Observe their attendance at Campaigners meetings and club, and reach out to them if they become absent for a bit

Ongoing

Pray regularly for them, envisioning them a step beyond where they are at present
Check in periodically one-on-one
Encourage them to plug in to a meaningful fellowship or ministry post high school – certainly any appropriate Young Life roles!
Help them develop some covenant friendships that commit to support and encourage one another for the long haul
Equip and encourage them to be a witness to their friends
Host reunions during holidays

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the accountability for these leaders, especially if they stop officially leading but are still mentoring their five?

If and when a leader steps out of leadership, they fill out a form with the names of kids they’re following up with and the duration of their five-year commitment. The area director or committee alumni coordinator keeps these forms on file and asks for a quarterly report (just a quick email) letting us know what their contact has been and how their mentees are doing. These can be tracked in CMI as key alumni for further leadership and staff opportunities.
For areas/regions that have Campaigners meet by grade as opposed to collectively, how should leaders adapt the 5-4-5 plan when following a class all the way through?

Remember the average volunteer leader tenure is only about two years. So very few will follow a class through graduation then start with another class for four more years. Regardless, picking off five kids to follow up long-term, even if done twice, should not overwhelm. If a student or group of students need to be “handed off” to another leader, the team should be diligent to manage these handoffs well.
About how much time is expected for the follow-up of each of these five graduates?

The initial Getting Started suggestions may well begin months prior to graduation. Getting started will require a couple of face-to-face meetings while the leader and student build a follow-up plan together. After graduation, the leader is only expected to be checking in periodically, perhaps once every month or so.
What if a graduate does not reciprocate a leader’s attempts to stay connected?

Our task is to initiate and show our desire to spur their growth. If they reject this offer, then we should pray regularly for them and reach out on occasion to let them know they’re in our thoughts and prayers. “Lapsed Alumni” might even be a category in CMI.

Suggested Resources

By Rick Beckwith, Eastern Division Discipleship Coordinator