The Great Commission

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 the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.

— Matthew 28:18–20 (NET)

These are Jesus' final recorded words in Matthew's Gospel. Final words matter. When someone is dying or leaving, what they say last is what they want you to remember most.

Jesus didn't say "go make converts" (though conversion is the starting point), or "go get people to pray a prayer" (though that matters), or "go fill buildings on Sunday" (though corporate worship is essential). He said: "Go make disciples."

A disciple is someone who follows Jesus (not just believes facts about Him), obeys His commands (not just knows them), and reproduces (makes other disciples). This isn't optional. Every believer is called to make disciples — not just pastors, missionaries, or "super Christians." You.

Why Most Christians Don't Make Disciples

Studies show only one in five Christians says they're currently discipling someone, and only one in six has ever been personally discipled. Most Christians attend church, consume content (sermons, podcasts, books), but never actually invest in another person's spiritual growth. Why?

1. We've confused evangelism with discipleship. Evangelism is proclaiming the gospel to unbelievers. Discipleship is walking with believers as they learn to follow Jesus. Both matter, but they're not the same. You can lead someone to Christ and never disciple them — like giving birth to a baby and walking away. The child will die without care. Jesus commanded both: "make disciples" includes proclaiming the gospel AND teaching them to obey everything He commanded.

2. We think we're not qualified. The lie: "I'm too broken, too immature, too sinful to disciple someone." The truth: you don't need a theology degree or a spotless record. You just need to be one step ahead and willing to say, "Follow me as I follow Christ" (1 Corinthians 11:1) — with all your stumbling included. The Spirit is healing you — slowly, but truly. As He does, you help mend others. You're broken, but being healed. That's enough.

3. We don't know how. Most Christians have never seen discipleship modeled. They don't know what it looks like practically. Good news: it's simpler than you think. Though not easy.

4. It's costly. Discipleship requires time (you can't do it in 15-minute increments), vulnerability (you have to let them see your failures), patience (people grow slowly), and sacrifice (you give yourself away). Most Christians want the fruit without the cost. That's not how this works.