Mentoring a new believer is one of the most rewarding things you can do as a follower of Christ. But most Christians never do it!
But if you're here, you're thinking about becoming a disciple-maker, a mentor for new disciples. Congrats! You're getting ready to obey the Great Commission!
But you're probably feeling a bit uncertain as to how to go forward. Today, I'm going to share 10 tips on mentoring new Christians from 20 years of pastoring. Also included are several videos where I share more details and in-depth advice, and demo some of the tools that I have created and use for mentoring young believers.
1. Start with Prayer
Before diving into lessons or teachings, start with prayer. Ask God to give you wisdom as a mentor and pray for your disciple's growth. New believers are learning to hear from God, so model this by praying for them.
"If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God" (James 1:5, ESV).
2. Focus on Relational Discipleship
Discipleship happens best in relationships, not just in classes or study books. Jesus didn't just preach sermons to His disciples—He walked with them daily, sharing His life. Make time for one-on-one meetings or casual coffee chats.
A good mentoring relationship is more walk with me than sit and listen.
3. Keep it Simple
In the early days of mentoring, it's easy to overload a new believer with information. Keep the focus on a few key habits—Bible reading/engagement, simple prayer, and obedience. The NewStart Discipleship Journal is a perfect tool for this, giving a 50-day plan with bite-sized Bible readings, videos, and space for journaling.
Here's a video demo of how it works for mentoring new Christians:
4. Teach Them to Obey, Not Just Know
Jesus didn’t say, "Teach them everything I taught." He said, "Teach them to obey everything I’ve commanded" (Matthew 28:20, ESV). Information without obedience produces Pharisees, not disciples. Focus on helping your disciple apply the Bible practically to their life.
Ask questions like, "What is Jesus calling you to today? What would it look like to obey Him?" For more questions.
Pro Tip: The Obedience Challenge offers a 90-day program to guide new believers into a life of obeying Jesus, one command at a time.
5. Be Transparent About Your Journey
Done properly, sharing creates hope. Sharing victories creates hope... but so does sharing struggles! Your disciple needs to know that you’re not perfect, and that's okay. They also need to know that normal people like them can win. This transparency builds trust and makes them feel comfortable opening up.
6. Create a Clear Pathway
Discipleship can feel overwhelming without direction. The beauty of the NewStart Discipleship Pathway is that it provides clear next steps. For example, after completing the NewStart Journal, move them into the Obedience Challenge or the Baptism Challenge depending on their next need.
7. Use Scripture as Your Foundation
Always bring the conversation back to Scripture. Whether you're discussing personal struggles or theological questions, teach your disciple how to find wisdom from God’s Word. A structured reading plan like the NewStart Journal helps guide them through key passages.
8. Celebrate Small Wins
Discipleship is about progress, not perfection. Celebrate each step they take—whether it’s completing a Bible reading plan or sharing their faith for the first time. Small victories build momentum.
Pull quote: “Celebrate progress over perfection—it’s about taking the next step in following Jesus.”
9. Encourage Spiritual Habits
Help your disciple build daily spiritual habits. Encourage them to pray, read Scripture, and seek accountability regularly. Disciplines like these are the foundation for long-term spiritual growth. The Obedience Challenge integrates daily habits into their life, including Bible reading and prayer.
10. Prepare to Let Go
A successful mentor will eventually work themselves out of a job. One day, your disciple will disciple others. Prepare them from the beginning to share what they’re learning with others. Multiplication, not just addition, is the goal of discipleship.
As Paul wrote, "What you have heard from me... entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also" (2 Timothy 2:2, ESV).
Mentoring new disciples doesn’t have to be complex. With these 10 tips, you can confidently guide new believers on their journey with Jesus—whether you’re a pastor or someone empowered to lead through the NewStart Discipleship tools. The mission is too important to "wing it." You need a plan, and NewStart Discipleship offers a pathway to make disciples who multiply.
Now, go out there and start making disciples!
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