Bible Study Topic: WHAT DOES MATTHEW 28:17-20 MEAN?
For those of you may not be aware of this, Matthew 28: 18-20 is commonly referred to as The Great Commission. There are a number of perspectives on why people think of this as the great commission; but everyone agrees that it is Great! (Discuss why this is considered great.)
I was once told by someone who would wind up being a friend and brother, that the Great Commission was not for today (expound). It seems like today, the first thing many churches want to do with a New Convert is give them something to DO in the church. But it seems to me that the word is showing us something different:
- “. . . go and make DISCIPLES of all nations“ (v.19) – We need to take note of several points here:
- Jesus is talking to disciples. Jesus is letting His disciples know that they are to go and replicate themselves; this help to keep believers on their toes.
- “GO” doesn’t necessarily mean that every Disciple/Follower of Jesus is to go out on the mission field. The Lord may send you to a local church, a fellowship, a ministry, etc. Make sure that if the Lord sends you somewhere that you do not leave until He says so (expound).
- Jesus didn’t tell His disciples to go and get “Members” or to go and “Make” members, Jesus said to go and make others like yourselves; and do not discriminate, but go to every race, culture, nationality, etc. This lets our local churches know that their doors should be open to everyone (expound).
- “BAPTIZING them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.“ (v.19) – It appears that after they have accepted the Lord and have become Disciples of Jesus, the first order of business is to baptize them (expound).
- “And TEACHING THEM TO OBEY everything I have commanded you. “ (v.20) – The next order of business is to teach them the Lord’s ways and how follow them (expound).