Where this command is found:
“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations . . . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.”
In Christ’s command to teach all nations to observe all things He has commanded us we have been given a great commission and a high calling! One of the main ways that Christ’s kingdom is expanded and the body of Christ is built is through making disciples. Like a crescendo to everything we have covered up to this point, we are commanded to take Christ’s commands that we have embraced in our own life and begin to teach them to others.
As believers, we were designed to multiply and it is through Biblical, Christ-centered discipleship that this multiplication happens. II Timothy 2:2 gives us a wonderful example of this discipleship process: “And the things that thou hast heard of me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also.” Paul is telling Timothy to teach others what he had been taught. Notice though how Paul specifically mentions teaching “faithful men.” As you learn to faithfully live out Jesus’ teachings in your heart and life through the power of the Holy Spirit, these teachings will fuel true discipleship ministry — from your dinner table, to your neighborhood, and to the ends of the earth.
This type of discipleship goes beyond merely meeting someone for coffee once a week and chatting about life. While building relationships is a key aspect of discipleship, truly discipling someone takes intentionality. It means purposefully seeking to point the person to grow in their personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ. It is about challenging them to continue in God’s Word and center their life around it. Discipleship includes teaching them through word and example to live out Christ’s commands through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.
Remember, the end goal is not to make people disciples of you. The end goal is to make them disciples of Christ so in your interactions keep pointing them to Him. Once they begin to walk as disciples of Christ for themselves, encourage them to start discipling someone else and this is how the multiplication will happen.
The idea of discipling someone else may at first seem daunting and somewhat intimidating. But don’t forget that after giving the Great Commission our Lord then gave the key for us to carry it out: “. . . lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20b). The Lord is with us and He will enable us to do what we could never do on our own. He will give us the power to carry out the Great Commission as we rely on Him. “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” (I Thessalonians 5:24).
As we come to the conclusion of this teaching series on the Commands of Christ, take time to prayerfully consider who it is that God may want you to disciple and encourage. Pray and ask Him to bring people into your life that you can invest in and then keep your eyes open for who He may bring across your path. Take the things you have learned and commit them to faithful men who can teach others also.
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As we come to the final command in this rich four-year journey through the words of Christ, we are brought to the heart of it all—making disciples. The Great Commission is not just a call to proclaim salvation, but an invitation to walk with others as they grow in their relationship with Jesus.
Are we actively living out the Great Commission in our own lives? What does it truly look like to treasure Christ’s commands and help others do the same?
Have we embraced Christ’s call not only to follow Him, but to help others do the same? Are we treasuring His commands in such a way that our lives overflow with the desire and ability to make disciples?
