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The Great Commission

Think...

What does it mean to “make disciples”?

Who are we meant to make disciples of?

What was the promise that came with this commission?

Jesus spent three years not only preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, but living it. Through healing the sick, loving the marginalised, correcting the hypocrites, teaching people how to live and representing His Father, Jesus demonstrated the good news of His transformational kingdom. Then He was crucified and buried before performing the greatest miracle of all – His own resurrection. This was the pinnacle of His work on earth, providing a way for all people everywhere to join His kingdom.

Before leaving earth, Jesus passed the baton to His disciples, saying, “Now it’s your turn. I’m leaving, and it’s your job to carry on My mission on the earth.” What was that mission?

First, they were to make disciples of all nations. The word “nations” doesn’t just mean geopolitical areas, but actually “people groups.” All people groups of the world were to be discipled. Loren Cunningham, the founder of YWAM, describes discipleship as “the process of leading a person to transformation according to the standards of the Bible.”

Romans 12:2 shows us that transformation is renewal of the mind – changing the way we think. So to disciple a person or a people group, we must help them change not just their behaviour but the way they think about everything. The new way of thinking should line up with what is taught in the word of God.

Second, they were to be baptized. A very early use of the Greek word for “baptize” was found in an ancient recipe for pickles. The pickles were to be “baptized.” Think about a cucumber turning into a pickle. Once it’s a pickle, can it ever be returned to its previous state of a cucumber? Of course not! And that’s what Jesus wanted for all people groups – a permanent transformation.

Lastly, they were to teach all people groups to observe all that Jesus commanded. This one is pretty straightforward. They were to pass on the teachings of Jesus. And Jesus promised to be with them always – even though He disappeared into heaven straight after He said it! Though the disciples would no longer live, eat and travel with Jesus, His comforting presence would still be with them as they carried out His commission.

Jesus’ charge to His disciples shows us the big picture of missions. We must lead people to salvation, but we must also go beyond that to help people be transformed in the very way that they think about everything. The Great Commission is not just making converts, but making disciples. This can be done through cross-cultural missions or through influencing a person or an area of society in your hometown.

What has God called you to do?

Apply...

Can you identify any areas in your own thinking that need renewal and transformation to align more with Biblical truth?

Identify a way of thinking in your own society that leads to destruction. What is a Biblical truth that speaks to this way of thinking and how could you live it out?

*source material and quotes from “The Book That Transforms Nations” by Loren Cunningham