Make disciples: Dismantling the excuses of the Great Commission
Following Jesus has never been merely about receiving a ticket to heaven; it is an invitation into a living, active partnership with Him. From the very beginning, Christ called ordinary people not just to believe in Him, but to learn from Him, become like Him, and join Him in His mission right where they are.
Whether you are at your desk, on a school campus, or in the middle of a routine grocery run, your daily life is your primary mission field. Making disciples doesn't require a formal pulpit, a specific personality type, or a theological degree. Instead, it flows naturally from a love for Christ and a simple, obedient willingness to share what He has done with the people right next to us.
If you've arrived here directly, you're welcome to start reading - each page stands on its own. Or begin at the series overview to follow the full journey in sequence.
Understanding Jesus' final commission
After His resurrection, Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them His final commission in Matthew 28:19–20, AMP,
"All authority (all power of absolute rule) in heaven and on earth has been given to Me. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually-regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age"
These were not His final suggestions or last words for a select group of leaders. They were the mission He entrusted to all His people.
Notice what Jesus actually commanded. He did not say:
- Build churches.
- Hold meetings.
- Win arguments.
- Collect converts.
He said, "Make disciples."
This is an important difference. Jesus' goal has always been people whose lives are transformed as they follow Him, not simply people who agree with certain beliefs or go to church on a Sunday morning.
Sometimes people assume the Great Commission was only for the apostles because Jesus was speaking directly to them. But look closely at what He told them to do: they were to make disciples and teach those disciples to obey everything He had commanded them. That includes the command to make disciples. In other words, each generation of disciples is to pass on the same mission to the next, including ours.
The Great Commission did not end with the apostles. It continues until Jesus returns.
Modern Christian culture often gets this completely wrong, confusing the gifts given to us by God for building up the church with the universal mandate to share the gospel. As Ephesians 4:11–12 states,
"And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the shepherds and teachers, to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ…"
While not every believer is an evangelist by office, every believer is commanded to be a witness.
Your daily mission field is right where God has placed you - your family, your workplace, your street, your classroom, or your local community.
God has positioned ordinary people around you who need to see and hear the good news through your faithful, everyday life.
At its core, this "work of the ministry" is the outworking of the Great Commission.
Church leadership is not meant to hoard ministry or perform it on behalf of passive spectators; rather, leaders exist to fuel, train, and launch every single Christian to make disciples, share the gospel, and build up the body of Christ in the world.
This can feel intimidating, especially if you think you need years of training before you can share your faith. Bible college is a wonderful gift, and careful study of God's Word is valuable and we always encouraged you to study the Word; but Jesus never said, "Go to Bible college, then tell your neighbour about Me." The first disciples did not begin with theological degrees. They began by following Jesus and telling others what they had seen and heard.
One of the clearest examples is the man Jesus delivered from a legion of demons (Mar 5:1–20). After being completely transformed, he wanted to travel with Jesus. Instead, Jesus sent him back with a simple instruction, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you." He did exactly that, sharing throughout the Decapolis what Jesus had done.
Early Christian writers and church tradition suggest that this region later became places where believers found refuge during the Jewish-Roman War, after many Christians fled Jerusalem before its destruction in 70 AD. While we cannot prove every single detail, the accounts reminds us of an important truth - we rarely see the full impact of simple obedience. Had that man delayed because he felt unqualified, countless people wouldn't have come to Christ, nor opened their doors to the believers escaping Jerusalem.
Disciple-making isn't about becoming an expert. It's about inviting others to follow Jesus alongside us as we ourselves are being transformed by Him. We don't wait until we've "arrived," but neither do we try to lead from a place of spiritual independence. As we remain in Christ, depend on the Holy Spirit, and continue growing in obedience, He equips us to strengthen others on the same journey.
God is not looking for perfect people. He is looking for willing disciples who trust Him enough to obey.
Making disciples, not merely converts
If the Great Commission is for every disciple, then we need to understand what Jesus actually meant by making disciples. A person can be converted to a set of beliefs without becoming a disciple. Someone may begin attending church, agree that Christianity is true, or even identify as a Christian. These are important steps, but Jesus called people to something deeper.
A disciple follows Jesus. A disciple learns from Him. A disciple grows in obedience, becomes more like Christ, and helps others do the same.
That is why the Great Commission does not end with people making a decision. Jesus says we are to teach people "to observe everything I have commanded you."
The goal is not simply that people know what Jesus taught, but that they increasingly live it.
Knowledge is valuable. We should love God's Word and grow in our understanding of it. But knowledge alone does not produce spiritual maturity. The Pharisees knew the Scriptures extremely well, yet all but two failed to recognize the very Messiah those Scriptures pointed to.
The New Testament consistently joins faith and obedience together. Obedience is not how we earn God's love or acceptance. We are saved by grace through faith. Rather, obedience is the fruit of a life that has been changed by the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, "If you [really] love Me, you will keep My commandments" (John 14:15).
The goal, then, is not producing Christians with impressive Bible knowledge who can win debates. The goal is men and women whose lives increasingly resemble Jesus - people who love God, love others, walk by the Spirit, and faithfully follow Christ in everyday life.
This also changes how we think about helping others grow. Disciple-making is not about having all the answers before you invest in someone else. It is about walking with people as you continue walking with Jesus yourself. You share what He is teaching you, encourage one another toward obedience, open God's Word together, pray together, and point one another back to Christ again and again. As we remain in Christ, depend on the Holy Spirit, and continue growing in obedience, He equips us to strengthen others on the same journey.
If making disciples means helping people follow Jesus, then the next question becomes very practical, what does that look like in ordinary, everyday life?
How every disciple lives on mission
When many Christians hear the word mission, they immediately think of overseas missionaries, pastors, or evangelists preaching to large crowds. While God certainly calls some people into those specific roles, the New Testament presents something much broader. Mission is not primarily a place you go - it is a way of living wherever Jesus has placed you. He calls us to live differently and being His ambassador to the people around you.
Before ascending to the Father, Jesus said, "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you will be My witnesses" (Act 1:8). A witness simply tells others what they have seen and experienced. That is the calling of every disciple. We are witnesses to the grace, mercy, and transforming power of Jesus Christ.
Living on mission begins with a change in perspective. Instead of asking, "Where should I go?" we begin asking, "Lord, who have You already placed in my life?"… and that question changes everything.
Your family is no longer just your family - they are people deeply loved by God.
Your neighbours are no longer strangers - they are people made in His image.
Your workplace, your school, your sporting club, your local café, and your community are not simply places you spend time. They are places where Jesus has already sent you. Mission becomes less about finding opportunities and more about recognising the opportunities that already exist.
Jesus called His followers the salt of the earth and the light of the world (Mat 5:13–16).
Salt influences whatever it touches.
Light shines wherever there is darkness.
Neither draws attention to itself; both quietly change their surroundings simply by being what they were created to be.
The same is true of disciples. As we walk closely with Jesus, His life begins to shape the way we speak, work, forgive, serve and love. People notice integrity where dishonesty is common, hope where others despair, peace in difficult circumstances, and genuine compassion without expecting anything in return.
The people around us are not interruptions to our day; they are often the very reason God placed us there. Every conversation, every act of kindness, every opportunity to listen, encourage, or pray can become an opportunity to reflect Christ.
Living on mission is not about adding another activity to your calendar. It is about faithfully following Jesus where you already are, trusting that He knows exactly why He has placed you among the people around you.
Depending on the Holy Spirit for power
The call to make disciples is far bigger than our own ability. Left to ourselves, we often feel inadequate, afraid, or unsure of what to say. Jesus knew that would be true, which is why He never intended His followers to carry out His mission in their own strength.
Before sending the disciples into the world, Jesus told them to wait for the promised Holy Spirit. Only then would they receive the power they needed to be His witnesses (Act 1:8). The mission of God has always depended on the presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
Jesus' reminder that apart from Him we can do nothing (Joh 15:5) protects us from two common mistakes. The first is fear that says, "I'm not capable." The second is self-confidence that says, "I've got this." Both miss the point. The Christian life was never meant to be lived independently of Christ. It is sustained by abiding in Him.
The Holy Spirit does far more than simply help us speak about Jesus. He first transforms us into people who increasingly reflect Christ. He convicts us when we wander, teaches us through God's Word, gives wisdom when we do not know what to say, leads us into truth, produces His fruit within us - love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Gal 5:22–23) - and gives courage when obedience feels costly. As those who belong to Christ, we are led by the Spirit (Rom 8:14).
Sometimes we fall into the trap of thinking that being quiet and "nice" is enough, convincing ourselves we don't need to share the gospel. But good deeds alone do not distinguish us. Without the message of Christ, we are no different from any other moral philosophy or works-based religion.
What sets Christianity apart is Jesus Christ - and the proclamation of what He has done. That's why the apostles didn't rely on their actions alone; they continually prayed for boldness to speak His name (Acts 4:29–31).
Signs follow the preaching of the Word, making the call to proclaim the gospel all the more important.
This is why disciple-making is never just about passing on information. People are not only listening to what we say; they are watching how we respond under pressure, how we forgive, how we love, how we trust God, and how we depend on Him. As the Spirit shapes our lives, the character of Christ becomes increasingly visible, and our witness becomes more authentic. The message we proclaim is supported by a life that is being transformed by the One we proclaim.
Walking with the Holy Spirit also means learning to listen and obey. Sometimes He prompts us to encourage a struggling friend, pray with someone who is hurting, offer forgiveness, show unexpected kindness, or speak about Jesus when the opportunity naturally arises. These moments often seem small, yet throughout Scripture God delights in using ordinary acts of faithful obedience to accomplish His extraordinary purposes.
This also removes unnecessary pressure. Our responsibility is not to change hearts - that belongs to God. We are not called to manufacture results, force conversations, or rely on clever arguments. Our responsibility is to remain close to Jesus, stay sensitive to the leading of His Spirit, and faithfully obey when He prompts us. He is the One who prepares hearts, opens doors, and brings lasting fruit.
The Christian life is not about trying harder for God. It is about walking with Him. As we abide in Christ and depend on the Holy Spirit day by day, the Holy Spirit changes us from the inside out and equips us to faithfully participate in the work Jesus has given us. The more we depend on Him, the more our lives begin to reflect the One we are following.
Continuing the ministry of Jesus today
Jesus did not simply call people to admire His ministry - He called them to participate in it. When Jesus called His first disciples, He did not merely invite them to believe certain truths about Him. He invited them to follow Him, learn from Him, and continue the work the Father had given Him to do.
Throughout the Gospels, we see what that ministry looked like. Jesus proclaimed the Kingdom of God, called people to repentance and faith, welcomed those who were rejected, cared for the broken, showed compassion to the suffering, prayed for the sick, confronted the powers of darkness, and revealed the Father's heart through both His words and His actions. His ministry was marked by both truth and love, faithful teaching and practical compassion.
When Jesus sent His disciples, He did not give them a different mission. He invited them to continue His. After His resurrection and ascension, Jesus did not abandon that mission. Instead, He entrusted it to His followers, promising that the Holy Spirit would empower them to continue His work in the world. The book of Acts shows exactly that.
Filled with the Holy Spirit, ordinary believers carried the message of Jesus wherever they went. They preached Christ, cared for those in need, prayed with boldness, saw lives transformed, planted churches, and remained faithful even when obedience was costly. The ministry of Jesus did not end when He returned to the Father - it continues through His people as they live under His lordship and in dependence upon His Spirit.
Every disciple will have not the same ministry or experiences, but the calling remains the same to all of us - to faithfully represent Jesus wherever He sends us - to fulfill the Great Commission every where we go.
This is not about building a personal ministry or trying to imitate Jesus through human effort. It is about remaining so close to Him that His compassion shapes our compassion, His priorities become our priorities, and His heart for people becomes our own. Our goal is to make Jesus known. Every act of love, every conversation about Christ, every prayer offered in faith, and every step of obedience points beyond ourselves to the King we follow.
As we grow to become more like Christ, our lives should increasingly reflect His character. We learn to notice the overlooked, to serve instead of seeking recognition, to pray rather than merely worry, to speak the truth with humility, to care for those who are suffering, and to trust God enough to obey even when we do not know the outcome. Rather than assuming nothing will happen, we begin to expect God to work and make ourselves available for Him to use however He chooses.
Disciple-making is not about becoming an expert. It is about inviting others to follow Jesus alongside us as we ourselves are being transformed by Him. We do not minister because we have mastered the Christian life, but because we are walking with the Master. As we learn from Christ, we help others learn from Him. As we experience His grace, we extend that same grace to others. The closer we walk with Him, the more naturally His life is reflected through ours.
Choosing faithfulness over fear-based avoidance
One of the biggest reasons many Christians never share their faith or invest in others is fear. We worry that we will say the wrong thing, be asked a question we cannot answer, be rejected, or somehow fail God. Yet much of that fear comes from carrying a responsibility that Jesus never gave us.
God has never asked us to save people. Only He can open blind eyes, soften hard hearts, forgive sins, and bring someone from death to life. Salvation belongs to the Lord.
Our responsibility is much simpler, though no less important, to be faithful and proclaim the Gospel. Jesus calls us to follow Him, to love people, to speak the truth, and to obey when He opens the door. The outcome is in His hands.
This truth runs throughout Scripture. In the parable of the sower (Mat 13), the same seed is scattered on different kinds of soil. The sower faithfully sows, but the condition of the soil determines the response. Likewise, Paul reminds the Corinthian church, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth" (1 Cor 3:6). Different people may play different parts in someone's journey, but it is always God who gives life.
When Jesus sent out the seventy two in Luke 10, He told them to faithfully proclaim that the Kingdom of God had come near. Some people welcomed them, while others rejected them. Their responsibility was never to control the response, but to remain faithful to the One who had sent them.
This should bring great freedom. We are not measured by how many people come to Christ, how many conversations we have, or how successful we appear. The world's mindset measures results. Jesus calls His disciples to measure faithfulness.
Faithfulness looks like obeying the prompting of the Holy Spirit, even when the outcome is uncertain. It looks like loving people without expecting anything in return, praying when someone is hurting, speaking about Jesus when the opportunity comes, and trusting God with everything that follows.
The Lord never asks us to produce fruit apart from Him. He simply asks us to remain in Him and faithfully walk where He leads. Every act of obedience is significant because God delights in using faithful disciples to accomplish His purposes, often in ways we will never fully see this side of eternity.
Pause for a reality check
Jesus never intended His disciples to admire His teaching from a distance. He calls us to follow Him with our whole lives. That means there are times when we should honestly stop, pray, and allow God's Word to examine our hearts. Spend a few moments to prayerfully consider these questions; and be honest with yourself:
- What fears, distractions, or excuses have I accepted that Jesus never gave me?
- Am I following Jesus closely enough that someone could learn what it means to follow Him by watching my life? Is my faith visible in the way I love, serve, forgive, and speak?
- Have I quietly assumed that being "nice and quiet" is enough, rather than speaking the truth of what Jesus has done?
- Who has God already placed in my life that I may have overlooked?
- Am I available when the Holy Spirit prompts me, or am I too busy to notice?
Do not rush through these questions. Sit with them before the Lord. Ask Him to search your heart, reveal anything that needs to change, and give you the grace to obey whatever He shows you.
Following Jesus has never been about pretending we have everything together. It is about responding to His voice with humble, willing hearts.
Perhaps as you read this page you realise you have become comfortable, distracted, or fearful. The answer is not to dwell on failure but to return to Christ. His invitation has not changed. Today, just as He did by the Sea of Galilee, Jesus still says, "Follow Me and make fishers of men." Every new day is another opportunity to say "yes" to Him, to walk in step with the Holy Spirit, and to faithfully participate in the work He has prepared for you.
Practical ways to live out the Great Commission out this week
Reading about discipleship is not the same as living it. James reminds us to be doers of the Word and not hearers only. This week, take one simple step of obedience.
The gospel is not primarily an invitation to receive benefits, but a call to follow the King. Jesus did not invite people to seek heaven, happiness, purpose, or comfort - He called them to repent, believe the good news, and follow Him. The apostles proclaimed that same gospel, announcing Jesus as the crucified, risen, and reigning Lord.
Try explaining the gospel in two or three sentences without mentioning blessings, comfort, happiness, going to heaven or finding purpose. Instead, answer these questions:
- Who is Jesus?
- What has He accomplished through His life, death, and resurrection?
- What response does He call people to?
- What promises does He give those who follow Him?
Then ask yourself one final question, "Does the gospel I naturally share call people to admire Jesus, or to surrender their lives to Him as Lord?"
Ask the Lord a simple question, "Who have You already placed in my life?" As you pray, write down the first person who comes to mind.
This week, invite them for a coffee, a meal, or a walk. Listen well. Ask how they are really doing. Share something Jesus has been teaching you through His Word. If it is appropriate, ask if you can pray with them.
Do not worry about having all the answers or saying everything perfectly. Your goal is not to impress anyone but to be faithful to Jesus.
One conversation may seem small, but throughout Scripture God delights in using simple acts of obedience. Leave the results in His hands and trust Him to work in ways you cannot yet see.
Making fishers of men
Every disciple is called to make disciples. But disciple-making does not begin with learning techniques or becoming an expert. It begins with following Jesus so closely that His life becomes visible in ours.
As we abide in Christ, the Holy Spirit transforms us from the inside out. He teaches us to obey, shapes us into the likeness of Jesus, and leads us into the very mission Christ has entrusted to His disciples. Mission is not something we add to our Christian life - it is part of what it means to follow the One who came to seek and save the lost.
Jesus is still calling ordinary men and women to follow Him, to make fishers of men. He is still transforming lives by His Spirit. He is still building His Kingdom through faithful disciples who love Him, obey Him, and make Him known.
The rest of this website exists to help you become that kind of disciple - not merely someone who knows about Jesus, but someone who walks with Him, becomes like Him, and helps others do the same. Making disciples flows naturally from becoming more like Christ yourself. The becoming Like Jesus section explores what that transformation looks like in practice; beginning with abiding in Christ.