The Great Commission and the Church
So what comes to your mind when you think about Jesusʼ command to make disciples of all nations? Many read these words as if they were meant to inspire pastors or missionaries on their way out to the mission field. But have you ever considered that maybe Jesusʼ command is meant for you?
As we read the rest of the New Testament, we see Godʼs people working together in obedience to Jesusʼ command. They reached out to the people around them, calling them to obediently follow Jesus. The disciples went about making disciples, teaching them to obey
everything that Jesus had commanded and baptizing them. Some of them even moved to different areas or traveled around so that they could tell more people. They took Jesusʼ words seriously—and literally.
Reading through the New Testament, itʼs not surprising to read that Jesusʼ followers were focused on making disciples—it makes sense in light of Jesusʼ ministry and the Great Commission. The surprise comes when we look at our churches today in light of Jesusʼ command
to make disciples. Why is it that we see so little disciple making taking place in the church today? Do we really believe that Jesus told His early followers to make disciples but wants the 21st century church to do something different? None of us would claim to believe this, but somehow we have created a church culture where the paid ministers do the “ministry,” and the rest of us show up, put some money in the plate, and leave feeling inspired or “fed.” We have moved so far away
from Jesusʼ command that many Christians donʼt have a frame of reference for what disciple making looks like.
2. Compare your church experience with Jesusʼcommand to make disciples. Would you say that your church is characterized by disciple making? Why or why not?
For the most part I'd say my church life has not been characterized by making disciples. You don't really hear the word Disciple too often as a description of someone who is a "Christian" Only for the past few years would I use that term for myself or "follower" The church has really separated herself from the world, the dirty and the broken instead of being right there with them, loving and making disciples. During the Reformation vocation and worship were closely tied, we see this in the Scriptures as well. Being a student, your job, and athlete is a mission field where we can make disciples, but we don't always see that as such.
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