Go. Make. Disciples. (Matthew 28:18-20)
Know, Grow, Connect, Go.
Go. We call this the Great Commission. It implies movement, action, engaging others.
Jesus spent 3.5 years (42 months) in ministry alongside his disciples. These weren’t casual believers. They were (math-ē-tēs) disciples: Followers who studied their Master and shaped their lives around His.
He now tells them: Go. Multiply.
I heard Sharon Miller from Bright City Church say something that stuck with me. She spoke on the topic, “Becoming a Sending Church.” She said, “Ships are safe in harbor. But that’s not what ships are for.”
Let me ask you: What are ships built for? (What’s their real purpose?)
When you look at the Great Commission, notice what Jesus doesn’t say. He doesn’t say fill cathedrals; draw crowds for performances; herd people like cattle.
He says: Go. Make. Disciples.
So, how do you think disciples are made? What’s the difference between attracting a crowd and making a disciple? How did Jesus model this during His ministry?
Discipleship looks like spending time together. Building each other up. Helping others discover their gifts. Serving alongside one another, and then sending them out.
Healthy churches don’t just gather believers. They make disciples who are sent to make more disciples.
In the body, healthy cells multiply. Each cell copies its DNA, then divides: the body heals and life grows. It’s natural. It’s designed to work that way.
What is called when one group of cells multiplies out of control without regard for the body?
Now, what would it look like if our church multiplied like healthy living cells?
Where might Jesus be calling you to “go”? (And what small steps could that look like this week?)
If multiplication is the goal, what should we be focusing on today?
I love that Jesus promised He would be with us “always, until the end of the age.” What a great comfort.
Discussion
- What are ships built for? (What’s their real purpose?)
- So, how do you think disciples are made? What’s the difference between attracting a crowd and making a disciple?
- What is called when one group of cells multiplies out of control without regard for the body? Now, what would it look like if our church multiplied like healthy living cells?
- Where might Jesus be calling you to “go”? (And what small steps could that look like this week?)
Wait for What? (Acts 1:1-14)
Now let’s look at verse 4. We read earlier in Matthew 28 that Jesus commissioned them to “go.” But here, he “ordered them not to depart.” What?
He says “wait.” Wait? You just told me to go. Now you say to wait? Wait for what?
What are they waiting for? (verse 8) Power to do what?
Power to go. To go where? “To the end of the earth.”
Isn’t it incredible? Jesus promised to be with us “till the end of the age…” and “to the ends of the earth.”
Why do you think Jesus told them to wait instead of going right away? (What does this reveal about our need for God’s power, not just our effort?)
If Jesus had already commissioned them, why wasn’t that enough? (What does this show us about the difference between calling and equipping?)
How might rushing ahead without the Spirit look in our own lives today? (Are there places where we’re “going” without “waiting”?)
What does it mean that the Spirit gives power, not just knowledge, not just instructions? (How is spiritual power different from human effort?)
Jesus says the Spirit will make them witnesses. Not salespeople. Not soldiers. Witnesses.
What does this say about our role?
Where is your “end of the earth”? (What places, people, or opportunities has God placed in front of you that feel far, hard, intimidating, but you’re called to bring the Good News there?)
Notice in verse 13. After the Ascension, they went back to the upper room (from the Last Supper). The 11 remaining apostles, plus who? The women, Mary and Jesus’ brothers. With one accord, they agreed in prayer and devoted themselves to prayer. What do you suppose they were praying for?
Discussion
- What are they waiting for? (verse 8) Power to do what?
- Why do you think Jesus told them to wait instead of going right away? (What does this reveal about our need for God’s power, not just our effort?)
- How might rushing ahead without the Spirit look in our own lives today? (Are there places where we’re “going” without “waiting”?)
- Where is your “end of the earth”?
This Power Rests With You (Acts 2:1-21, 36-41)
It is Pentecost, 50 days after Passover. Pentecost always falls on Sunday, the first day of the week. In Hebrew, it’s Shavuot (Feast of Weeks, celebrating firstfruits of the wheat harvest… a bigger, fuller harvest).
What words or images jump out to you in verses 1-4? Why do you think God showed up in such a dramatic way? If you had been there, how do you suppose you might have reacted? How did this event get the attention of the crowd who were assembled in the city for the Feast of Weeks?
In verses 5-13, Why do you think God had them speak in all these languages? Why not Hebrew? What does this moment tell us about God’s heart for all people and nations?
In verses 14-21, the sound captured the crowd’s attention, and Peter preached (most likely from the rooftop). How is the audience of unbelievers here different from the small group in the upper room?
What does this teach us about the difference between evangelism and disciplemaking?
Peter quotes the prophet Joel. According to Joel, who now receives the Spirit? (verses 17-18)
What does this teach us about who is qualified to build up, encourage and console others?
Let’s unpack that word prophesy. 1 Cor 14:3 says: “The one who prophesies speaks to people for their upbuilding and encouragement and consolation.”
It’s not always predicting the future, it’s mostly the act of edifying others. Upbuilding. Encouragement. Consolation. What you are doing right here, right now. This power rests with you …to make disciples.
How might we be limiting God’s work today by assuming he only uses certain kinds of people?
In verse 36, Peter wraps up his dramatic sermon to devout Jews of all the nations, who had just heard the gospel spoken in their own languages. Notice he doesn’t manipulate the crowd. He doesn’t work them into an emotional frenzy. He simply speaks the truth about Jesus; and the Holy Spirit does the heart work. Our role is faithfulness, not forcefulness. God doesn’t need our hype. He needs our humility. (Zech 4:6).
Have you ever been cut to the heart by God’s word?
So they ask, “What shall we do?” Peter answers simply, Repent. Be baptized. Receive the Spirit (just like these).
How is this still the call to us today?
Discussion
- In verses 5-13, Why do you think God had them speak in all these languages? Why not Hebrew?
- What does this teach us about the difference between evangelism and disciplemaking?
- What does this teach us about who is qualified to build up, encourage and console others?
- How might we be limiting God’s work today by assuming he only uses certain kinds of people?
Something to Sit With
3,000 were added to their number that day. From a small upper room… 3,000 on Pentecost Sunday.
What next? Did they squeeze 3,000 in the upper room the following Sunday? What did they do?
If we want to grow the Kingdom, we’ve got to pray for God’s direction, the Spirit’s power, and go to the ends of the earth.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Great Commission and where is it found in the Bible?
The Great Commission is Jesus’ final command to His disciples, found in Matthew 28:18-20. He tells them to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded.” The driving verb is “make disciples.” Going, baptizing, and teaching support that central mission.
Why did Jesus tell the disciples to wait before carrying out the Great Commission?
In Acts 1:4-5, Jesus told the disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of the Holy Spirit. Calling without equipping is incomplete. The disciples needed power from on high to be effective witnesses.
Waiting was not passivity. It was active obedience and dependence on God.
What happened at Pentecost in Acts 2?
Pentecost was the day the Holy Spirit came upon the believers in Jerusalem. There were signs of wind and fire, and the disciples spoke in languages they had never learned. Peter preached, and about 3,000 people believed and were baptized. The early church then devoted itself to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer.
What is the difference between evangelism and discipleship?
Evangelism reaches the crowd with the good news of Jesus. Discipleship reaches the individual through shared life, teaching, and growth. Both are essential and complementary. Pentecost produced both: 3,000 heard the gospel, and then those 3,000 entered into the daily rhythms of discipleship described in Acts 2:42-47.
What does it mean to be a witness for Christ?
A witness tells what they have seen and heard. It’s different from a sales pitch or a rehearsed argument.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus said the Spirit would make the disciples His witnesses. That same calling extends to every believer. Speaking life, encouragement, and truth to the people around you is the everyday work of witness.
Scripture quotations are from the ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway.