Meeting guide · command 85

The Great Commission

Under Jesus' authority, go to all peoples, make disciples, baptize them, and teach them to obey everything He commanded.

Read

Read the complete passage aloud.

Primary passage

Matthew 28:16–20

16 But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. 17 When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted. 18 Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

World English Bible

Mark

Mark 16:14–20

14 Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table; and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen. 15 He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned. 17 These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.” 19 So then the Lord, after he had spoken to them, was received up into heaven and sat down at the right hand of God. 20 They went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word by the signs that followed. Amen.

World English Bible

The risen Jesus meets worshiping and doubting disciples, declares universal authority, sends them to the nations, and promises His continuing presence.

Discuss

Listen carefully to what Jesus says.

  1. What does Jesus command?
  2. What does this passage reveal about Him?
  3. Where do we resist this command?
  4. What is difficult or unclear?
  5. How do going, baptizing, teaching obedience, all nations, Jesus' authority, and His presence define disciple-making together?

Practice

Choose one specific act of obedience.

Identify one person or community beyond your present circle and take the next relational step toward sharing Jesus, teaching obedience, or supporting faithful cross-cultural mission.

Return

Come back and discuss what happened.

Whom did you move toward, and what next step in disciple-making became clear?

Close together

Pray. Then prepare to teach.

Pray

Risen Jesus, send us under your authority. Make us faithful witnesses and disciple-makers among all peoples, confident that you are with us.

Teach

Keep the commission centered on making disciples who obey Jesus, not merely gaining decisions; note the well-known textual questions surrounding Mark 16:9-20.