Jesus Gives the Great Commission
Month 12: On Mission & Finishing Well · Bible Story
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 28:16-20
16 Meanwhile, the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain Jesus had designated. 17 When they saw Him, they worshiped Him, but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. 19 Therefore 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 and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
Memory Verse
“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey all that I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age.””— Matthew 28:19-20 (BSB)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: 2 Corinthians 1–4
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 331 of 365 — Paul's open heart, comfort in trouble, and the treasure in jars of clay.)The Heart of It
The risen Jesus gathered His friends on a mountain in Galilee. Before He returned to His Father, He gave them their marching orders. He didn't begin with what they had to do. He began with who He is. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth" (). The King of everything was speaking. And out of that authority came one great assignment. "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." Notice it isn't "make admirers" or "make crowds." It's disciples. Learners who follow Jesus for life, marked out by baptism, and taught to obey everything He said. This is the family business of the whole church. And now it becomes our family's business too.
What's beautiful is how the command is wrapped in a promise. It opens with all authority, and it closes with all presence. "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Jesus doesn't send His people out alone to figure it out. He goes with them. We don't make disciples to earn His love. We make disciples because we are already loved, and He is already with us. Some of those first followers still "doubted" (verse 17), yet Jesus sent them anyway. That should comfort every ordinary, sometimes-wobbly family. The mission doesn't depend on how strong we feel. It depends on how strong our King is.
Around the Table
Before Jesus went up to heaven, He gave His friends a big job. Tell everyone about Him! And He promised, "I am with you always."
Let's do it: Wave like you're telling a friend good news. Then hug yourself and say, "Jesus is always with me!"
Jesus said "make disciples," not just "make fans." A disciple is someone who follows Jesus and learns to obey Him every day.
Let's talk: What's the difference between cheering for a team and actually playing on it?
The Great Commission is held up by two promises. "All authority" comes first (v.18). "I am with you always" comes last (v.20). The command in the middle rests on the promise at both ends.
Let's go deeper: The King of heaven has all authority and is always with you. So what is one thing that still makes you nervous about telling others? How does His promise meet that fear?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's the best news you've ever gotten? Who was the first person you wanted to tell, and why?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
We know this command is real history, not legend, because the men who heard it lived and died on it. Doubting, skeptical followers (v.17) became world-changing missionaries. That kind of turnaround only makes sense if the One commanding them had truly risen, and truly held "all authority."
For Dad · Go Deeper
It's easy to read the Great Commission as a program for missionaries "over there." But the very first place Jesus aims it is closest to home, into the next generation. Discipleship is teaching people "to observe all things that I have commanded you." And your children are the disciples most entrusted to your care. The pressure lifts when you notice the order. Jesus speaks His authority and His presence over the task before He ever hands it to you. You are not the source. You are a man who is sent, and never sent alone. So lead tonight, not as a CEO launching an initiative, but as a father walking with his kids toward a King who is already with you all.
Draws on: Tony Evans, Kingdom Disciples.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, You have all authority, and You are with us always. Make our family true disciples who follow You. Use us to help others follow You too. We can't do this alone, so please go with us. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus didn't just give us a job. He gave us Himself: "I am with you always."