Matthew 28 (NLT)
18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Jesus’s charge to his disciples is to love people into loving people.
Here are some questions for discussion:
1. Jesus calls us to “teach everything I have commanded you.” His commands include forgiveness, justice, healing, compassion, and love—for God, for ourselves, for our communities, and even for our enemies. How does this expand our understanding of discipleship from a focus on personal piety to a vision of wholeness in relationships, communities, and creation itself? Which of these teachings feels especially healing to you in this season? Which do you find yourself resisting, and what might that resistance reveal about places where God’s wholeness is still taking root in your life?
2. Jesus commissioned the disciples just as they were—some worshiping, others still doubting (Matt 28:17). What does this reveal about the way He values and calls us, even when our faith feels unfinished or uncertain? How might this free you to bring your whole self—your questions, struggles, and scars—into His mission? In what ways is your own ongoing journey toward wholeness in Christ itself part of the witness you offer to the world?
3. As we go to make disciples and spread the word, the name of God carries weight and shapes the impact of our words and witness. How can the name of God help people understand what we are saying? How might our words and actions hinder people from coming to see God clearly? What might it mean to take God’s name in vain (Ex. 20:7)?
If you’d like to dig a little deeper, consider the following:
1. The Great Commission in Matthew 28:18–20 is not so much about launching something brand new as it is about stepping into what Jesus is already doing under His authority: “All authority has been given to me.” What changes when we see mission as participation rather than performance? How might this view release us from striving and instead draw us into partnership with Him? Where do you notice Jesus already working to bring healing and wholeness in your community—and what would it look like for you to join Him there?
2. When Jesus commanded His followers to “make disciples of all nations,” it called the Jewish disciples to step far beyond the security of their cultural identity and traditions. In what ways might this have stretched and reshaped their worldview? How does this challenge mirror the experiences of believers today who are called to step into unfamiliar cultures or communities? Since “all nations” reveals that no one lies outside God’s vision for wholeness, what boundaries—whether cultural, social, racial, or economic—do we still find hardest to cross?
3. Jesus assures us, “I am with you always.” His presence itself brings healing and restoration. How does His ongoing presence equip the disciples to embody wholeness rather than simply speak about it? In what ways might this promise give us courage to enter into broken places we would otherwise avoid? How can the way we show up and remain present with others become a living reflection of Christ’s healing presence in their lives?
4. Why do you think Jesus chose to include baptism—a rich and symbolic act—in the call to make disciples? In what ways does baptism embody wholeness, expressing our welcome into God’s family, our cleansing and renewal, and our restoration into a new community?
5. Considering our being baptized in the name of Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit as the triune nature of God. How might being baptized in the law, the love, and the spirit shape our approach to the Great Commission?
For further contemplation, consider these prompts:
1. God’s name, reputation, and authority in our hearts helps shape and define our deeds. Both actively and passively, what do you do to help keep His name in your heart as you walk through your day?
2. While we can easily see how reassuring it is that Jesus is with us till the end of the age, it can also be a reminder that in all we do He is with us. As others watch and witness our movements, will they too see Jesus with us always?