GOSPEL-CENTERED NEIGHBORING | THE GREAT COMMISSION
WORD
BIG IDEA
BIG IDEA
- Jesus ends his ministry with The Great Commission, which is a call for all followers of Christ to share the good news of the Gospel with all nations.
- The call of The Great Commission is both “baptizing” and “teaching” which means that our job is to call people to be included in God’s covenant AND a following of Jesus’ commandments.
- The power of The Great Commission does not come from winsomeness, craftiness, or speaking skills, but from the fact that God is with us.
- The Great Commission extends to “the end of the age,” which is the church.
READ
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. 17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. 18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
WATCH/LISTEN
OLD SELF
Consider Jesus’ words here. Our command is to take Jesus' message to those around us that do not know it, share the news of the gospel with them, and then teach them how to live in accordance with Jesus' teaching.
NEW SELF
Interestingly enough, every single person that is in a church, or sitting in a living room during a Fellowship Group, is actually responding to Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all the nations.
WORLD
PRAYER
God the Spirit, have your way in us. Shine your light on the secret sins of our hearts. Equip us for tasks that are too large for us. Make us glad in what delights you. Intercede for us and open our eyes to rightly understand the Word of truth. Amen.
Consider Jesus’ words here. Our command is to take Jesus' message to those around us that do not know it, share the news of the gospel with them, and then teach them how to live in accordance with Jesus' teaching.
- After examining Jesus' words here, where do you find yourself? Where do you feel that you fit best?
- Are you skilled at bringing up and sharing the gospel with people around you?
- Do you know that you should be working on evangelism but do not feel skilled in it?
- Do you have some hesitations about sharing the gospel in general?
- Explain your own “Evangelistic Lifestyle.”
- When you consider Jesus' call, what feelings do you have? Is your first gut reaction to feel scared? Awkward? Inadequate? Risky? Forceful? Excited?
NEW SELF
Interestingly enough, every single person that is in a church, or sitting in a living room during a Fellowship Group, is actually responding to Jesus’ command to go and make disciples of all the nations.
- What is your story with The Great Commission? How did it bring you to where you are now?
- Considering the (hopefully positive) impact that The Great Commission has had on you, how do you imagine this same message moving through the city where you live?
- Is there anyone in your life right now that the Lord might be putting on your mind in regards to this?
WORLD
- Pray for the people mentioned above this week, ask God to guide you into a conversation with them where you could share the good news of Jesus.
- Remember that the good news and power within all the fear is that God is with us.
- Silently, reflect and pray about one step or thing you could do this week.
PRAYER
God the Spirit, have your way in us. Shine your light on the secret sins of our hearts. Equip us for tasks that are too large for us. Make us glad in what delights you. Intercede for us and open our eyes to rightly understand the Word of truth. Amen.