Go and Make Disciples
Month 12: Risen & Sending · Family Worship
Today's Scripture
Read together: Matthew 28:18-20
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)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Revelation 4-6
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 360 of 365 — heaven worships the Lamb who was slain.)The Heart of It
This is the heartbeat of the whole year. The Great Commission. Jesus opens with a claim no ordinary teacher could make. "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." Then, because He owns all authority, He sends us out. The command at the center is just two words. "Make disciples." The going, the baptizing, and the teaching all hang off that one goal. A disciple isn't just someone who prays a prayer once. A disciple is a learner who follows Jesus. A disciple gets baptized as a public "yes" to Him. And a disciple is taught "to observe all things" Jesus commanded. We're not making fans. We're not making members. We're making followers, all the way down.
And look how He ends. "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." The same Jesus who has all authority promises to stay with ordinary, sent-out people. That is everything. We don't go out to the nations on our own steam. We go with the living Lord beside us, by His Spirit. This is what "A Daily Disciple" has been about all year. Not raising religious kids. Raising followers of Jesus who will one day help others follow Him too. Disciples who make disciples. The mission starts at your table, and it reaches "all the nations."
Around the Table
Jesus said, "Go tell everybody about Me — and I will always be with you!" He is with us right now.
Let's do it: Whisper to each other, "Jesus is with me always!" Then say it loud and happy.
A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, gets baptized, and learns to do what He says — then helps someone else follow too.
Let's talk: Who could you help take one step closer to Jesus this week?
"Make disciples" is the main command. Going, baptizing, and teaching all show us how. And Jesus gives the reason too: all authority has been given to Him.
Let's go deeper: If Jesus has all authority and promises to be with you, what fear about telling others does that answer?
💬 Conversation Starter
If our family could "go" to one place anywhere in the world to tell people about Jesus, where would we go? And why there?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
When someone says… "Religion is just a private thing. Keep it to yourself." You can answer kindly. Every worldview wants to be shared. Schools share what they believe. So do scientists. So do advertisers. They all "spread the word" about what they think is true and good. So think about Jesus. If He truly rose, and He has authority over heaven and earth, then that's not just a private opinion. It's the best news there is. And love can't keep good news quiet (). We don't share it to win arguments. We share it because we really believe it's true, and we want others to have it too. And we always share it "with gentleness and respect" ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
The grammar of the Great Commission is worth slowing down on. In the Greek, "make disciples" is the only command. "Going," "baptizing," and "teaching" are participles that fill it out. The point isn't merely to get decisions. It's to form lifelong learners who obey "all things." That has a humbling lesson for the Christian father. You cannot teach your children to observe what you yourself are not learning to observe. Your home is the first and most natural mission field you will ever have. And the Commission spans the generations. We make disciples who, in time, make disciples. Take heart in the bookends. Jesus has all authority. And Jesus is with you always. You are not sent alone.
Draws on: Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, You have all authority. And You send us out with Your promise to stay near. Make our family true disciples who help others follow You. Give us courage and love to go. In Jesus' name, amen."
Jesus has all authority, and He is with me always. So I can go and help others follow Him.