Jesus Gives the Great Commission
Month 10: Telling the Good News · 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: Proverbs 20-22
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Wise sayings to train a heart that walks with God.)The Heart of It
Picture the scene. Jesus is alive again after the cross. He climbs a mountain in Galilee to meet His friends. He has beaten death, the most powerful enemy there is. Now He gives them their orders. He doesn't say, "Go relax." He doesn't say, "Keep this a secret." He says, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations." A disciple is a learner who follows Jesus and becomes like Him. Jesus wants people from every country, every language, and every family to know and follow Him. This is the big mission. We call it the Great Commission, and it is still going on today. When you tell a friend about Jesus, you are part of the very same job He gave on that mountain.
Notice that Jesus does not send His friends out alone. He does not send them empty-handed. First He says, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth." He is the King over everything, so He has the right to send us. And at the very end He promises, "Lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." We do not have to be brave on our own. We do not have to be smart enough on our own. The King who conquered the grave goes with every disciple who obeys Him. That is why a child can share the good news without fear. You carry a message from the most powerful Person in the universe, and He never leaves your side.
Around the Table
Jesus told His friends to go tell EVERYBODY about Him. And He promised to always be with them.
Let's do it: March in place and say, "Jesus said GO! And He goes with me!"
A "disciple" is someone who follows Jesus and learns to be like Him. Jesus wants disciples from every country on earth.
Let's talk: Who is one person you know who has never really heard about Jesus?
Jesus grounds the mission in His authority. He says, "All authority has been given to Me." He also grounds it in His presence. He says, "I am with you always." The command is wrapped on both sides by His power.
Let's go deeper: How does knowing Jesus has all authority change how nervous you feel about telling others?
💬 Conversation Starter
If you could send good news to any country in the world, where would you send it? And why there?
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Some say Christianity was made up by a few followers in one small place. But Jesus' command went to "all the nations." Within a few centuries the message had spread across the whole Roman world. It went fast and far, even when believers were punished for it. A movement that grows like that, started by fishermen, points to something true and powerful behind it ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
The Great Commission is not a suggestion for "missionary types." It is a command from the risen King to every follower. That includes the discipling you do at this very table. Notice the main verb is "make disciples." The words "go," "baptizing," and "teaching" describe how. Your home is a disciple-making workshop, and your children are your first and nearest "nation." Before you call them to a global mission, model a personal one. Let them see you praying for a lost neighbor, inviting someone to church, reading Scripture as if it is true. Kids rarely catch a mission their fathers merely talk about. They catch one they watch lived.
Draws on: Sean McDowell, So the Next Generation Will Know.
Let's Pray Together
"Jesus, You are King over heaven and earth. You have given us a great mission. Make our family disciples who help others follow You. Thank You that You are with us always. In Jesus' name, amen."
The King who beat death sends me to tell others. And He goes with me everywhere.