Go and Make Disciples
Month 10: Telling the Good News · Memory Verse
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)memorize this week
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Proverbs 23-25
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (More wisdom for daily living and a steady heart.)The Heart of It
Let's slow down and walk through our memory verse. It has four little action words packed inside. The first is go. Jesus expects His people to move toward others. We don't wait for everyone to come to church. The second is make disciples. The goal is not just to win an argument or get someone to say a quick prayer. The goal is to help them truly follow Jesus for life. The third is baptizing them. When someone believes, they get baptized to show the whole world they belong to Jesus now. We believe in baptizing people who can choose to believe for themselves. That is why we call it believer's baptism. The fourth is teaching them to observe all things. Disciples keep learning to obey what Jesus said. It is a beautiful plan. We tell, we win, we mark, and we grow.
The verse begins with Jesus' power. He says, "All authority has been given to Me." The verse ends with Jesus' promise. He says, "I am with you always." That is no accident. Memorizing those two ends does something to your heart. It reminds you that the mission is not too big, and you are not on your own. When the words live in your memory, the Holy Spirit can bring them to mind right when you need courage. He can do it on the bus, at school, or at a sleepover. A verse hidden in your heart today becomes boldness in your mouth tomorrow.
Around the Table
Our verse has a word that means "GO!" Jesus wants us to go and tell people the happy news about Him.
Let's do it: Say the first three words together: "Go therefore and..." Then add one more word each time you say it.
Find the four action words in the verse: go, make disciples, baptizing, teaching. Each one is a step in helping someone follow Jesus.
Let's talk: Which step do you think is the hardest, and why?
The command opens with Jesus' authority and closes with His lasting presence. Power and promise are wrapped around the mission.
Let's go deeper: Try saying the whole verse from memory. Which phrase do you most need to remember when you feel afraid to speak up?
💬 Conversation Starter
What's something you've memorized so well you could say it in your sleep? Now imagine knowing Jesus' mission that well!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
The earliest Christians baptized brand-new believers right away (). They baptized them "in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit." That is three Persons, one God. The phrase came from Jesus' own mouth. It shows the Trinity was not invented later. It was there from the start ().
For Dad · Go Deeper
Memory work is not busywork. It is loading the heart with ammunition the Spirit can fire later. Jesus Himself answered temptation by quoting Scripture He had stored away (). When you help your children memorize the Great Commission, you are not just teaching a verse. You are forming a missional identity word by word. Make it a game, not a grind. Say it in the car, sing it, act it out, and reward effort over perfection. And do it alongside them. A father who memorizes Scripture in front of his kids preaches a louder sermon than one who only assigns it.
Draws on: Natasha Crain, Keeping Your Kids on God's Side.
Let's Pray Together
"Father, help us hide Your words in our hearts. Then we will be ready to go, make disciples, and follow Jesus. Thank You that He has all authority. Thank You that He is always with us. In Jesus' name, amen."
When Jesus' words live in my memory, His courage shows up in my mouth.