The Great Commission
Discuss It – Matthew 28:16-20
- Do you sense this gathering on the mountaintop is only with the eleven disciples or a larger crowd that included the eleven? (28:16)
- Upon seeing the resurrected Jesus, how did they respond? (28:17)
- If it was only a gathering of the eleven disciples, who were these doubters? (28:17) Compare this passage to John 20:27 where Jesus removes all doubt from Thomas and the others present.
- How important is the phrase, “all authority… has been given to me,” to be included in the Great Commission? (28:18)
- “All authority” over what? Over whom? How do you understand God’s sovereignty vs. human free-will?
- What is the main command in the first line of the Great Commission? (28:19-20) Hint: it’s not going, baptizing, or teaching. Those are participles supporting the main command).
- What does it mean to “make disciples”? (28:19)
- How important is the promise of Jesus’ presence until the end? (28:20)
Apply It
- What attitude do the people around you (family, coworkers, neighbors) have toward the resurrection of Jesus? (Belief? Unbelief? Mockery? Doubt? Curiosity?)
- What is your attitude toward the resurrection?
- What difference does the resurrection make in your everyday life? Does Paul help us in our understanding? (1 Corinthians 15:13-14)
- Is the Great Commission for all disciples (even us today) or for just the eleven, or maybe a special few called to missionary work?
- How can the “all authority” phrase help us carry out the Great Commission?
- How can you carry out the Great Commission in your life?
- How are you involved in Making disciples? (Teaching? Mentoring?)
- How comforting is it to know that you are never alone; that Jesus is always with us?
- What teaching of Jesus do you need to obey more completely?