Go and Make Disciples

WEEK 3: THE GREAT COMMISSION AND DISCIPLE-MAKING

Key Text

Matthew 28:18-20

"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations..."

Understanding the Great Commission

Main Verb

The central command is:

Make disciples

Everything else supports that command:

Going

Baptizing

Teaching

Definition of Disciple-Making

Helping someone:

Know Christ

Follow Christ

Become like Christ

Help others follow Christ

Jesus' Final Example

Acts 1:8

Jesus promised power through the Holy Spirit. Discipleship is not accomplished through human effort alone.

Marks of a Mature Disciple

Loves God

Matthew 22:37 “And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.”

Loves People

Matthew 22:39 “And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.”

Abides in Christ

John 15:5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing.”

Produces Fruit

John 15:8 “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.”

Makes Disciples

Matthew 28:19–20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.””

A Repeatable Discipleship Framework for Every Believer

The DISCIPLE Path

D – Develop relationship

Mark 3:14 “And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach”

I – Invite people to follow Jesus

John 1:39 “He said to them, “Come and you will see.” So they came and saw where he was staying, and they stayed with him that day, for it was about the tenth hour.”

S – Study Scripture together

Acts 17:11 “Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.”

C – Cultivate obedience

James 1:22 “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.”

I – Invest in life-on-life mentoring

1 Thessalonians 2:8 “So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us.”

P – Practice ministry together

Luke 9:1–6 “And he called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. And he said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money; and do not have two tunics. And whatever house you enter, stay there, and from there depart. And wherever they do not receive you, when you leave that town shake off the dust from your feet as a testimony against them.” And they departed and went through the villages, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere.”

L – Launch disciple-makers

2 Timothy 2:2 “and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also.”

E – Encourage continual growth

Colossians 1:28 “Him we proclaim, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all wisdom, that we may present everyone mature in Christ.”

The Goal of Discipleship

Not merely:

Church attendance

Bible knowledge

Religious activity

But transformation into Christ's likeness.

Romans 8:29

Believers are predestined to be conformed to the image of Christ.

Series Conclusion

A disciple is: A devoted follower of Jesus who is continually being transformed by Him and helping others do the same.

Jesus' model was simple: Come with Me → Learn from Me → Live like Me → Lead others to Me

This pattern began with Christ, was continued by the apostles, and remains the mission of every believer today.

Memory Verse for the Series

Luke 6:40

"A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher."

The goal of discipleship is not merely knowing Christ but becoming like Christ and helping others become like Him.