The Great Commission

Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:16-20

Notes

After Resurrecting from the dead, Jesus gives his disciples a command to influence the world through his Love and discipleship. Matthew 28:19-20 states “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” We’ve been commissioned to bring Glory to GOD in the influences of our everyday lives. GOD did not just call Pastors or Missionaries to preach the gospel and make disciples.

He called ordinary men and women like ourselves to do this amazing work. Acts 4: 13 states “When they saw the courage of Peter and John and realized that they were unschooled, ordinary men, they were astonished and they took note that these men had been with Jesus”. The power the disciples had was because of the holy spirit living in them, but I believe as well the time spent with Jesus included training, equipping, and empowering them to continue work he was doing. They witnessed how he lived his life.

When I became a Christian, I went to church, read my bible, prayed, served, and gave financially. Two months into walking with the Lord, I met a guy who came alongside me and discipled me. I did not have a vision or plan to reach the people in my spheres of influence. I wonder if one of the biggest reasons people don’t disciple others is because they don’t know where to start? With my new mentor through prayer, bible reading, and life on life time with me, he helped me to see that GOD wanted to use my life to impact his Kingdom through discipling amongst the lost as well as those I would disciple in the future.

It was very difficult at first, none of the non Christians were interested in hearing the gospel or reading the bible. The Lord reminds us that the righteous shall walk by FAITH not by sight. As well as to LOVE, LOVE, LOVE, and LISTEN, LISTEN! This has helped a ton with the people in my life. Here are some stages that can help you get started in making disciples amongst non-Christians (lost).

End Result 1st

Help the individual you’re discipling see the bigger picture of being a lifelong disciple and disciple-maker. Seeing the picture of not only them but the future people that they invest in can disciple others.

(Luke 5:10/2 Tim 2:2/Matthew 9:36-38) ex. Lifelong disciple-maker among lost -live, work,play

Why is it so important to think of the end result 1st?

Stage 1 (Matthew 9:36-38)

The importance of building friendships with the people in your neighborhood, workplace, and where you do extracurricular activities. Also, are we earnestly praying for these individuals? Or do we just want to give them information about Jesus?

Jesus wanted to reach every nation, tribe, and tongue.

Why is it so important to start with the lost? (relationships)

How can you initiate meaningful relationships with individuals you want to disciple?

What could it look like weekly? (live, work, play)

Stage 2 (2 Corinthians 5:17)

Let’s say your family member or friend accepts Christ as their Savior. Praise GOD. Is this a person that would want to grow in Christ? This stage is an opportunity to ask questions to see if this individual would like a spiritual mentor to help to grow in their faith. Remember you don’t have to be a bible expert to disciple someone. Are you willing to start discipling?

What does it mean to be a “new creation” in Christ, and how can you help others understand this concept? Are we in control of this?

Stage 3 (Colossians 2:6-7)

This is the building roots stage. What are some spiritual disciplines that I can teach this individual to help them grow in Christ? Here are a few, teach them to read the bible on their own, prayer, Fellowship, Witnessing, serving others, etc. This will take time.

Why is it important to help a new Christian walk with GOD?

How much time could this take?

What are essential spiritual disciplines for helping them spiritually mature?

Stage 4 (Matthew 28:18-20)

I see that this individual is ready to disciple others. How can I equip, empower, and encourage them to repeat the process with someone else?

How can you equip and empower this individual to be a disciple-maker?

When should we send them out and give them responsibility?

How long could the disciple-making process take?

GO, MAKE, Baptize(the old life has gone the new life has come/dying of the old life and resurrecting of the new life) Teaching them to obey everything that was taught to you, and remember that the work Jesus has called us to do, he’s with us and we’re not alone.

–Thomas Baker