In the fall of 1995, Hot Hearts was a growing movement of youth rallies throughout Texas and Arkansas, led by networks of local youth pastors committed to seeing students come to Christ. A group of these leaders called us at Student Discipleship and asked to meet.
These Christian youth leaders were planning for the next year of conferences and expected thousands of students to attend, with hundreds making one of three major commitments: to trust Christ for the first time, to recommit their lives to Him after falling away for a time, or to surrender to ministry. The vision was a counseling and follow-up piece that was more youth savvy than current available resources, targeting these three decisions. But, they also wanted a unique spin on the usual counseling pamphlet: something the student could take home and use to begin to grow in their relationship with Christ. We wrote down all their ideas and agreed to develop and produce this idea, knowing this would be an exciting and valuable resource.
By the first Hot Hearts conference in January of 1996, LifeChange was released. Born out of the expressed need of youth pastors, the original 48-page booklet is now 56 pages and has sold well over 1 million copies. It's been used all over the world by most evangelical denominations. Continually updated and redesigned, this booklet is used weekly to walk students—and adults—through their commitments at the point of decision, as well as support their discipleship within that crucial first month.
Here’s how it works: Whether the person is led through the book by another Christian or is handed the book and uses the instructions, their decision is first identified. Then they walk through the Q&A pages to better understand their commitment. Next, the person has 4 weeks of daily quiet time devotions and 4 self-taught Bible studies dealing with family, friends, doubt, and lifestyle changes. LifeChange also touches on baptism, accountability, addiction, and local church involvement. Plus, it’s loaded with Scripture—all this within a just a few full-color pages. An optional decision card is available for the church or ministry to get necessary info on the person making the decision.
Many churches across denominational lines use LifeChange as their go-to resource for anyone pre-teen and above making a decision in their ministries. While the booklet has clear instructions and is easy-to-use, it is best for both connection and accountability if someone is following up and checking on those who have made an important spiritual decision.
If you’re looking for a cornerstone piece to help the disciples placed in your care get started on a strong relationship with Christ, LifeChange provides exactly that for the first month of their new walk with Christ or re-engagement into a Christian lifestyle. It truly is a concise and practical decision follow-up tool.
Next month, we’ll talk about and introduce the second phase in discipling new believers and an exciting new resource that can become an on-going ministry in your church. Until then, let your life be about changing lives through the power of Christ!