Living It Out, Ready to Go
Month 11: Living It Out · 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
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, to proclaim the virtues of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light.”— 1 Peter 2:9 (BSB)
📖 Bible-in-a-Year (optional)
Today's reading: Ezekiel 16-18
Reading the whole Bible in a year — do this when you have extra time. (Around Day 330 of 365 — God reminds us that each person answers for their own choices.)The Heart of It
Here are some of the very last words Jesus spoke on earth. They are like marching orders for everyone who loves Him. He said, "go and make disciples of all nations" (). Notice how He starts. He says, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Me." Before He sends us anywhere, He reminds us who is in charge. We don't go out nervous and alone. We go out for the King who runs the whole universe. And we don't go to win arguments or score points. We go to make disciples. We help people become learners and followers of Jesus. They are baptized into His family and taught to obey everything He said.
This whole month has been about living it out. We've learned to be excellent at work like Daniel. We work heartily like Joseph. We do justly like Micah. We become an example of good works like Timothy. Today ties it all together. A changed life is the beginning of the mission, not the end of it. But here's the best part, the very last line. Jesus says, "surely I am with you always, even to the end of the age" (v. 20). Jesus never says "Go, and good luck." He says "Go, and I am with you." Maybe you're talking to a friend at school. Maybe you're helping a neighbor. Maybe you're simply being kind when it's hard. You are never on mission by yourself. The King who sends you walks beside you, every single step.
Around the Table
Jesus' last big job for us is to tell others about Him. And He promises to always be with us!
Let's do it: March in place and chant, "Jesus is with me, let's go tell!" Then name one friend you could tell about Jesus.
"Make disciples" means helping people become followers of Jesus, not just hearers. And Jesus promises to be with us the whole time.
Let's talk: What's one thing we learned this month that we could actually start doing tomorrow?
The Great Commission begins with Jesus' authority and ends with His promise to be with us. From start to finish, the whole mission rests on Him. Making disciples includes teaching them "to obey all that I have commanded you." That's a lifelong process, not a one-time talk.
Let's go deeper: What's the difference between getting someone to agree with you and helping them actually follow Jesus?
💬 Conversation Starter
If our family had a "mission badge" like astronauts or explorers, what would it say on it?— Hint: Jesus already gave us our mission, and His name is on it!
🛡️ Defending the Faith
Sometimes someone asks, "How can you be sure Jesus really wants you to tell others?" We can point to His own final command and His promise to be with us. We don't share the good news because we're pushy. We share it because the One with "all authority" asked us to. And we do it with gentleness and respect (). We trust Him to be present in every conversation.
For Dad · Go Deeper
This closes a month built on a single conviction. The most persuasive apologetic is a life that has actually changed. Skeptics can dismiss your arguments. But a household marked by integrity, hard work, mercy, and joy is a standing piece of evidence that the gospel is true. Notice that the Commission was given to disciples who still doubted (). Jesus sends imperfect people, which is good news for tired dads. Your job is not to raise children who merely know facts about God. It's to raise disciples who are making disciples. Ask yourself this. Is mission something my family talks about, or something we are actually doing? At the door, in the neighborhood, with the people God has already placed in our path? Go, because He is with you.
Draws on: Sean McDowell, So the Next Generation Will Know.
Let's Pray Together
"Lord Jesus, You have all authority, and You have sent us to make disciples. Make our family ready to go. Make us bold, kind, and full of Your Spirit. Thank You that You are with us always. In Your name, amen."
Jesus sends me out, but never alone. He goes with me all the way.