What is “The Great Commission” and How do You “Make Disciples”???

The term “Great Commission” was popularized by the English missionary Hudson Taylor in the 19th century and earlier by the theologian Justinian von Welz (1600s). It also appears in Christian catechisms and missionary writings in the 1600–1800s, but the widespread modern usage comes from the global missionary movement of the 1800s.

So the term isn’t in Scripture, but the command behind it absolutely is.

Why is it called the Great Commission?

Mission leaders began calling it “great” because:

• It’s the final marching orders of Jesus before the ascension (Matthew 28:18–20).

• It carries universal scope, “all nations.”

• It summarizes the mission of the Church in one sweeping mandate.

• It gives both authority and responsibility… Jesus’ authority to command, and our responsibility to listen.

“Commission” simply means being authorized and sent.

“Great” points to its scope, authority, and priority.

What does the Great Commission actually entail?

Straight from Matthew 28:18–20, plus the supporting passages in Luke, Mark, and Acts:

1. Go

Not passively waiting… intentional movement toward people inside, and outside, your culture.

2. Make disciples

Not converts, not followers of a brand… whole-life apprentices of Jesus.

3. Of all nations

Ethnē (ἔθνη) “nations” = people groups, cultures, ethnicities.

A mission that crosses boundaries and borders.

4. Baptize them

Public identification with Christ and entrance into the life of the Church.

5. Teach them to obey everything Jesus commanded

Discipleship isn’t just information transfer… it’s transformation.

6. Go with Jesus’ authority and presence

He gives the mandate (“All authority in heaven and on earth is given to Me…”)

Plus the guarantee (“I am with you always…”).

This is why the Church treats the Great Commission as the backbone of its mission:

Jesus authorizes the work, defines the work, and stays with His people as they do the work.

What is a disciple?

A disciple is a lifelong apprentice of Jesus.

Someone who shapes their whole life around knowing Him, following Him, and becoming like Him.

In Scripture, disciples aren’t spectators or casual believers.

They are people who:

• Follow Jesus (Mark 1:17)
• Learn from Jesus (Matthew 11:29)
• Obey Jesus (John 14:15)
• Imitate Jesus (1 John 2:6)
• Help others follow Him (Matthew 28:19–20)

In short:

Disciples follow Jesus and help others follow Jesus.

What are disciples supposed to do?

1. Take Jesus’ teachings seriously

Jesus didn’t call people to admire Him, He called them to obey Him.

“Teach them to obey everything I have commanded.” — Matthew 28:20

A disciple builds their life on Scripture; its ethics, worldview, and way of life.

2. Live transformed, not just informed

Real discipleship produces:

• New character (Galatians 5:22–23)

• New priorities (Matthew 6:33)

• New patterns (Romans 12:2)

This isn’t self-help. It’s Spirit-led formation.

3. Participate in the mission of Jesus

Every disciple is called into the mission—not just pastors.

• Share the gospel (2 Cor. 5:20)

• Serve others (Mark 10:45)

• Make more disciples (Matthew 28:19)

The early church grew because everybody lived like a missionary.

4. Practice community

Discipleship was never meant to be solo.

The NT describes the church as:

• A body (1 Cor. 12)

• A family (Gal. 6:10)

• A household (Eph. 2:19)

Real disciples walk with other disciples—encouraging, challenging, correcting, restoring.

5. Carry the cross (Luke 9:23)

Disciples embrace:

• Sacrifice

• Repentance

• Holiness

• Endurance

• Suffering for righteousness, when necessary.

Not because it earns salvation, but because it shapes us into Christ’s likeness.

How do you actually make disciples?

This is where a lot of ministries overcomplicate things.

Jesus gave a pattern that works anywhere:

1. Build relationships intentionally

Jesus didn’t disciple crowds. He discipled people.

Start with a small circle:

~ 1-on-1

~ 2–3 people groups

~ Small Bible groups

~ Online discipleship groups

Discipleship grows best in relational soil.

2. Teach Scripture clearly and consistently

Not just random verses, the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27).

Walk people through:

– What the text says

– What the text means

– How to apply it

– How to live it

People don’t grow by entertainment—they grow by truth.

3. Model the lifestyle

People imitate what you live, not just what you teach.

Paul said, “Imitate me as I imitate Christ.”

We disciple in two ways:

1. By example

2. By instruction

If your life isn’t reproducible, your discipleship won’t be either.

4. Give practical steps and accountability

Every disciple needs:

1. Clear next steps

2. Follow-up

3. Someone who notices if they drift

4. Someone who calls them higher

5. Someone who reminds them who they are in Christ

Discipleship without accountability is just conversation.

5. Teach them to disciple others

You don’t have a disciple when they grow… You have a disciple when they multiply.

This is Paul → Timothy → faithful men → others (2 Tim. 2:2).

This is how movements happen.

What does a mature disciple look like?

Not perfect, but growing

1. Conviction (knows what Scripture teaches)

2. Character (looks like Christ)

3. Competence (can explain, teach, and share the gospel)

4. Compassion (loves people the way Jesus does)

5. Commitment (faithful, steady, dependable)

This is the kind of training that builds churches, ministries, and generational spiritual legacy.

Like God intended 🙏✝️