Making Disciples

I love having the church (myself too) be challenged to take steps of faith to acknowledge our responsibility to join in the fulfilling of the Great Commission. For me, that happened recently as what I am doing with my discipleship group rubbed up against our church missions conference. Jesus' message is clear:

“Go into all the world and preach the good news to everyone.” (Mark 16:15 NLT)

I get excited as I think about what I can do differently or in addition to what I am already doing that can usher in the outcome that Jesus talks about in Matthew 24:14 "This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” Lord what can I do to make it happen in my lifetime?

As they grow in their understanding of what it means to be a Christ follower and a disciple, I want them to also think strategically about the Great Commission.
Here are some ways you can challenge those you disciple:
1. Are they praying for the lost around them?
2. Are they investing in the Great Commission? Help them find a mission or a missionary that they can invest their money and prayers.
3. Are they prepared to go into dark places with the light of the gospel?

Your role in their life is critical. God has called us to either plant or water in the soil of these special people. He makes it clear that He alone causes the growth, but we have an important role. We have created some additional resources to help your students think about their role in helping to fulfill the Great Commission.

In closing, Matthew 9 talks about Jesus going and talking to people about the Kingdom (and their need to know the Savior of the Kingdom). In a very illustrative passage we see Jesus’ heart for the lost. He is deeply moved by their need – harassed and helpless. He saw they lacked leadership and direction – we have the gospel and the ability to go and lead them. But His call to the disciples was one of prayer – ask the Lord of the harvest to thrust out laborers into the fields. The reason for the prayer is that the fields were plentiful and the workers few. The word plentiful is not abundant as in so much wheat that you can’t store it all; it is more about the field is ready to be harvested. There is urgency to our work. God has ordained that people are open to the gospel NOW and they are ready for you and me to go! It may not be around the world, it might be inside your own home or across the street. Better yet, you might want to go to the closest school and see how you might be able to bring Christ to the plentiful harvest!

P.S. - The link to a page that can help you in your role of discipling others to be Great commission worker!