Book: Christian Discipleship 101 - Chapter 10: The Great Commission
- Dr. Layne McDonald
- 1 day ago
- 7 min read
"Then Jesus came to them and said, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'" : Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)
When we talk about the "Great Commission," we often think of stadium crusades, deep-jungle missions, or high-profile evangelists with microphones and spotlights. We tend to relegate this command to the "professionals": the ones with the degrees, the titles, or the unique "gift of gab." But if we look closely at the words of Jesus on that Galilean hillside, we find something far more personal, far more urgent, and far more accessible than a professionalized ministry model.
The Great Commission is not a suggestion for the spiritual elite; it is the fundamental job description for every person who claims the name of Christ. Whether you are leading a Christian leadership Bible study, engaged in parenting with biblical truth, or simply trying to navigate the complexities of a secular workplace, this command defines your "why." In this chapter, we are going to deconstruct Matthew 28:18-20 and turn it into a practical, daily blueprint for a life of impact.
The Foundation: Why We Can Go Without Fear
Most people start reading the Great Commission at the word "Go." But if you start at the "Go," you’ve already missed the power. Jesus begins with a declaration of status: "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me."
In the context of a Christian worldview, this is the ultimate "high-stakes" claim. If Jesus has all authority, then no government, no cultural trend, no boss, and no personal fear holds the final word over your life. This is the foundation of our witness. We don't go out to "win" a world that is lost; we go out to announce a King who has already won.
Understanding the "All" in Authority
When Jesus says "all authority," He isn't being hyperbolic. He is claiming jurisdiction over the physical and the spiritual. In our Assemblies of God heritage, we understand this to mean that the same power that raised Christ from the dead is the authority under which we serve today.
When you sit down at a lunch table with a coworker who is struggling with anxiety, or when you are teaching your children parenting with biblical truth principles during a difficult tantrum, you are operating under the authority of Christ. You aren't just giving "good advice." You are representing the King of Kings. This shifts the pressure from your performance to His position.
The Mandate: "As You Are Going"
The core command in the Greek text of Matthew 28 is actually not "Go." The central verb is "Make Disciples." The word for "Go" is a participle that is better translated as "As you are going" or "In your going."
This is a game-changer for the average believer. It means that the Great Commission doesn't necessarily require a plane ticket to a foreign land (though for some it does). For most of us, it means that as we go to the grocery store, as we go to the gym, as we go to the office, and as we go to the PTA meeting, we are on a mission to make disciples.
What Does it Mean to "Make a Disciple"?
Making a disciple is more than getting someone to say a prayer or check a box. It is the process of helping someone move from being a stranger to God to being a follower of Jesus who reproduces that same life in others.
In the realm of Christian leadership, making disciples means investing in people. It means:
Identification: Helping them see their need for Christ.
Instruction: Teaching them what Jesus commanded (not just what we think is right).
Imitation: Showing them what a life of faith looks like in shoe leather.
If you are looking for Christian worldview books that actually change lives, you have to look for the ones that move people toward this kind of relational investment. Discipleship is a "long-game" endeavor. It requires patience, grace, and a willingness to be interrupted by people’s problems.
The Method: Baptizing and Teaching
Jesus gives us two specific markers for the discipleship process: Baptizing and Teaching.
The Public Declaration: Baptizing
Baptism is the public "stake in the ground." It is the moment a new believer identifies with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus. In our Pentecostal tradition, we see baptism as a vital act of obedience and a testimony to the community. When we help someone move toward baptism, we are helping them "go public" with their faith. It’s the difference between a secret admirer of Jesus and a committed follower.
The Lifelong Process: Teaching Obedience
Notice that Jesus didn't say "teaching them to know everything." He said "teaching them to obey everything." Information without transformation is just academic exercise. The goal of our Bible study and our mentoring is not to make people smarter; it’s to make them more like Christ.
This is where many of us get stuck. We think we have to be "Bible scholars" before we can help someone else. But you don't need a Ph.D. to teach someone what you’ve already learned to obey. If you’ve learned how to forgive, you can teach someone else how to forgive. If you’ve learned how to pray, you can teach someone else how to pray.
The Power: The Promise of the Presence
The Great Commission ends with the most beautiful promise in Scripture: "And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
Why did Jesus wait until the end of the command to say this? Because the promise of His presence is specifically tied to the mission of His people. When we step out of our comfort zones to share our faith or mentor a new believer, we experience a dimension of God's presence that we can never find while sitting comfortably in a pew.
The Holy Spirit: Our Witness Partner
We cannot talk about the Great Commission without talking about the Holy Spirit. In Acts 1:8, Jesus says, "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses..."
The Holy Spirit is not just for our personal "blessing" or "goosebumps." He is the engine of evangelism. He is the One who:
Convicts the hearts of those we speak to.
Reminds us of the Scripture we need in the moment.
Empowers our words so they carry weight beyond our own intelligence.
Comforts us when we face rejection.
If you feel "unqualified" for the Great Commission, congratulations: you are the perfect candidate. The Holy Spirit loves to work through weak vessels so that the glory remains with God.
Overcoming the Fear of "What Will People Think?"
Let's get real for a moment. The biggest hurdle to the Great Commission isn't a lack of knowledge; it’s fear. We fear rejection, we fear looking "weird," and we fear that we won't have the answers to difficult questions.
Here is how you dismantle that fear:
Lower the Bar: You don't have to give a 45-minute sermon. Just share one way God has helped you this week.
Ask Questions: Instead of trying to "convert" someone, try to "understand" them. Ask, "What is your spiritual background?" or "How can I pray for you?"
Trust the Seed: Your job is to plant. God’s job is the harvest. If you share and they aren't interested, you didn't "fail." You were faithful.
Whether you are working through Christian parenting resources to guide your kids or leading a team at work, the principles of the Great Commission apply. It is about living with eternal purpose in the middle of everyday pressure.
Reflection and Study Guide
Personal Reflection:
How does the reality of Jesus having "all authority" change the way you view your most difficult relationship or situation right now?
Look at your calendar for the next 48 hours. Where are you "going"? Who are the people you will naturally encounter in those spaces?
On a scale of 1-10, how much does the fear of man stop you from sharing your faith? What is one small step you can take to lower that fear?
Group Discussion:
Discuss the difference between "teaching someone to know" and "teaching someone to obey." Why is obedience the goal of discipleship?
How have you seen the Holy Spirit work in a conversation where you felt inadequate or nervous?
What are some practical ways your small group can "make disciples" together in your local community?
Action Step: This week, ask the Holy Spirit for one "open door" conversation. Don't force it. Just listen and wait. When the opportunity comes, share a simple 2-minute version of what Jesus is doing in your life right now.
Prayer: Lord, I thank You that I don't go in my own strength. Thank You that You have all authority over my life, my family, and my city. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit today. Give me eyes to see the people around me who are hurting and searching. Give me the courage to 'go' as I live my daily life. Help me to be a disciple who makes disciples, all for Your glory. Amen.
Layne McDonald, Ph.D., is the Founder and Director of Layne McDonald. He is a dedicated researcher, author, and teacher specializing in Christian discipleship, leadership, and worldview. With a focus on biblical truth and practical application, Dr. McDonald’s work is designed to help readers grow in faith, understand Scripture deeply, and lead with wisdom and grace in a modern cultural context.
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