“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
of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have
commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Matthew 28:18
(Baptism) is about helping people who want to learn to be
like Jesus to be immersed into the characteristics and relationships of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. It is about relating deeply with Father, Son and Holy Spirit such that their
characteristics get imbibed into our very being. The fruit of
the Spirit becomes increasingly evident in our lives….this
kind of discipleship goes way beyond learning and passing
on Christian doctrines and being involved in Christian activities. It requires time and due process to identify the Old
Self so that we can put that aside intentionally (Ephesians
4:22-24).”
Teach
We also make disciples by teaching others to obey everything Jesus commanded. We not only point people to God’s
Word but also to the practical application through obedience in all of our lives. We always want to move people
from head knowledge to heart knowledge. If I believe what
the Bible says, how does that change the way I live today?
We show others how to “let the word of Christ dwell in you
richly…” (Colossians 3:16). We come alongside to encourage
and instruct in God’s Truth.
When asked what the greatest commandment was, Jesus
replied, “’Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with
all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and
greatest commandment. And the second is like it, ‘Love your
neighbor as yourself.’” (Matthew 22:37-39)
This brings us full circle! If we truly love our Lord with all
our heart, soul and mind and we love our neighbors as our-
selves, we will do exactly what Jesus is commanding. We
will go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in
the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
and teaching them to obey everything Jesus commanded.
But the best part is last.
As we fulfill the very command of our Lord, He has promised, “And surely I am with you always, to the very end of
the age.”
Resources
Simple Bible Studies are available at NBS2go.com (Neighborhood Bible Studies to Go). Or you can get a Neighborhood
Bible Study resource packet through women’s ministry.
Blessed2Bless Prayer Gatherings bring women together for
fellowship, testimonies and to pray for those stepping out in
faith. Join us on May 9 (Monday) from 9:30 – 11:00am and
May 26 (Thursday), 7:00 – 8:30pm.
For a packet you can go through with a new believer or
to get connected with a discipleship group, contact Jim
Stortz ([email protected]), Susan Sorensen (ssorensen@
calvarygr.org), or Jakob Jackson ([email protected]).
By Susan Sorensen
Pastoral Staff, Women’s Ministry
Susan has been married to Scott for 28 years and they have two sons. As a result of her cancer journey, Susan
co-authored Praying Through Cancer, a devotional book that has brought many women to the throne of Grace
where they have received courage to face their greatest fears.
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