I had an opportunity to attend the annual banquet for the Roscommon County Jail Ministries this week. It was a great turnout and a great opportunity for fellowship and worship. The Lion’s Den did a great job serving these donors and volunteers as well as hosting a great worship time with music. Of the speakers, Undersheriff Ben Lowe shared a message which he summed up with the statement “If you have been called to salvation as a follower of Jesus then you have been called to participate in The Great Commission”. This statement should have resonated with every single Christian in that room because being a Christian is not just about repentance, belief and church attendance. It comes with a mission of responsibility.
When Jesus gave the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20, He wasn’t offering a suggestion; He was giving a command to all who follow Him. The commission wasn’t exclusive to the apostles or church leaders but was meant for every believer. If you have chosen to follow Christ, you’ve also been called to make disciples. This calling transcends the boundaries of Sunday morning worship. It extends into our homes, workplaces, and daily interactions with the world around us.
Yet, many Christians struggle with understanding what it truly means to live out the Great Commission. Is it only about evangelism? Does it require a specific ministry role or going on a mission trip? How can we live out this call in everyday life? To fully grasp this mission, we need to start by understanding the heart of the Great Commission and how it applies to each of us.
At the core of the Great Commission is a call to follow Jesus. Following Jesus is not a passive act; it’s a dynamic, daily decision. It requires more than simply attending church or identifying as a Christian. It’s about becoming a disciple of Christ and actively participating in His work on earth. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus says to Peter and Andrew, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” This was more than an invitation; it was a call to join Jesus in His mission. It’s the same invitation He extends to all of us today.
But what does it mean to “fish for people”? It’s a metaphor for evangelism, yes, but it also encompasses discipleship. It’s not just about bringing someone to Christ; it’s about helping them grow in their relationship with Him. We are called to share the gospel, but also to walk alongside others as they grow in faith. This is the essence of making disciples—guiding others to follow Jesus and helping them to do the same for others.
For many believers, the idea of making disciples feels intimidating. It can feel like something reserved for pastors or missionaries, but that’s not the case. Discipleship is something every Christian is called to, and it begins in the everyday moments of life. It doesn’t require a formal ministry role or theological degree. It starts in your home, your workplace, and your community.
One of the most important aspects of discipleship is recognizing that it’s a process. It’s not about one single conversation or act. It’s a lifelong journey, both for the one discipling and the one being discipled. Jesus spent three years walking with His disciples, teaching them, and modeling a life of obedience to God. In the same way, we are called to walk alongside others, teaching them and modeling what it means to follow Jesus.
This can happen in the most ordinary moments. It might be a conversation with a coworker who is going through a difficult time. It could be a discussion with a friend about the meaning of life or a gentle word of encouragement to a family member who has drifted from the faith. These are all opportunities to plant seeds of faith, to point others to Jesus, and to help them grow in their relationship with Him.
Discipleship also means living out your faith authentically. People are watching how you live, especially those who do not yet know Christ. Your actions, your attitude, and the way you treat others can be a powerful testimony of the gospel. In Matthew 5:16, Jesus tells His followers, “Let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” Living out the Great Commission means letting your light shine in everyday interactions, showing others the love of Christ through your words and actions.
But living out the Great Commission isn’t just about how you interact with others. It’s also about how you rely on the Holy Spirit in your own life. In Acts 1:8, Jesus promises, “You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” The power to live out the Great Commission comes from the Holy Spirit. It’s not something we can do on our own. We need the Holy Spirit’s guidance and strength to be effective witnesses for Christ.
Prayer is a vital part of living out the Great Commission. Before you can effectively make disciples, you need to be in constant communication with God, seeking His will and guidance. Pray for the people in your life who don’t know Jesus. Pray for opportunities to share the gospel and for the wisdom to know how to approach each conversation. Ask the Holy Spirit to open hearts and minds to the truth of the gospel.
Fear is one of the greatest barriers to living out the Great Commission. Many Christians hesitate to share their faith because they are afraid of rejection or of not knowing what to say. But God has not called us to be afraid. In 2 Timothy 1:7, we are reminded that “God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.” The courage to share the gospel comes from knowing that it is God’s power at work, not ours. We are simply vessels through which God’s message flows.
Sometimes, living out the Great Commission means being willing to have hard conversations. It’s easy to share the gospel with someone who is already open to it, but what about the coworker who is hostile toward religion or the family member who has turned away from the church? These are the moments when we need to trust God the most. We may not see the immediate results, but we can trust that God is working in ways we cannot see.
The Great Commission also calls us to step outside of our comfort zones. It’s easy to live out our faith within the walls of the church, but Jesus didn’t call us to stay in one place. He commanded us to go into all the world and make disciples. This means reaching out to people who may be different from us—people who may not look, act, or think the way we do. It means being willing to engage with people who are outside of our usual circles, whether that’s through community outreach, mission trips, or simply starting a conversation with someone new.
One of the most important things to remember is that living out the Great Commission is a team effort. You are not alone in this mission. The body of Christ is made up of many members, each with their own unique gifts and callings. Some are called to evangelize, some to teach, some to encourage, and some to serve. All of these roles are necessary for making disciples. As Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 3:6-7, “I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.” We each play a part in God’s plan, but it is God who ultimately brings about growth.
Another critical aspect of the Great Commission is equipping others to carry on the mission. Jesus didn’t just make disciples—He empowered them to go and make more disciples. He taught them, but He also sent them out to teach others. In the same way, we are called not only to share the gospel but to equip others to do the same. This means mentoring new believers, helping them grow in their faith, and teaching them how to share the gospel with others. Discipleship is a multiplying process. As we disciple others, they too become disciple-makers, spreading the gospel further and further.
Living out the Great Commission is not just a task or a duty; it is a privilege. It is an opportunity to partner with God in His mission to redeem the world. When we live out our calling to follow Jesus, we participate in something far greater than ourselves. We become part of a story that God has been writing since the beginning of time—a story of redemption, grace, and transformation.
If you have chosen to follow Jesus, you have been called to more than just attending church on Sunday morning. You have been called to participate in the Great Commission, to make disciples of all nations, starting with the people around you. It may feel intimidating at times, but remember that you are not alone. God has equipped you with His Spirit, His Word, and His people to carry out this mission. Step out in faith, trust in His power, and embrace the calling to live the Great Commission every day.