Go and Make Disciples of All Nations

Lesson 35

GO AND MAKE DISCIPLES OF ALL NATIONS

Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 1:6-14 Key Verse: 28:19

“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.”

1. Read Matthew 28:16-18. When the eleven disciples saw Jesus in Galilee, how did they respond? What does this show about their spiritual level? What authority does Risen Jesus have? (18, Jn 5:26-27, 17:2, 1Co 15:24, Col 2:9-10) What does this mean to the disciples? (Mt 10:1, Lk 10:18- 19, 2Co 13:10, Rev 2:26-27)

16Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 26For as the Father has life in himself, so he has granted the Son to have life in himself. 27And he has given him authority to judge because he is the Son of Man. "Father, the time has come. Glorify your Son, that your Son may glorify you. For you granted him authority over all people that he might give eternal life to all those you have given him. <1Co 15:24> Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 9For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, 10and you have been given fullness in Christ, who is the head over every power and authority. He called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out evil spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. 18He replied, "I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. <2Co 13:10> This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down. him who overcomes and does my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations— 27'He will rule them with an iron scepter; he will dash them to pieces like pottery' Lesson 35

2. Read verses19-20. What great commission did Jesus give his disciples? Why do we have to focus on discipleship ministry? Think about the two disciple-making methods. Why is baptism important? (Jn 1:33, Ro 6:4, Acts 2:38, Acts 19:4-6) What must we teach and how can we teach it? (Mk 12:30-31, Jn 15:12-13) What promise did Jesus give his disciples?

19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." I would not have known him, except that the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is he who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.' We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. Peter replied, "Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. 4Paul said, "John's baptism was a baptism of repentance. He told the people to believe in the one coming after him, that is, in Jesus." 5On hearing this, they were baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. 6When Paul placed his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they spoke in tongues and prophesied. 30Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' 31The second is this: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.'There is no commandment greater than these." 12My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. 13Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends. Lesson 35

3. Read Acts 1:6-8. What was the disciples’ major concern? What did Jesus teach them about God’s plan? What was Jesus’ major concern? What did they need to be powerful witnesses? (4,5,8) Why? From where to where did they have to be Jesus’ witnesses? What do “Jerusalem” and “the ends of the earth” mean to you?

4On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: "Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. 5For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." 6So when they met together, they asked him, "Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7He said to them: "It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. 8But 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."

4. Read verses 9-14. After giving the great commission, what did Jesus do? Why did he leave them instead of staying to help them? (Jn 16:7) How did the disciples react to his ascension? What hope was planted in their hearts? After returning to Jerusalem, what were they doing for the baptism of the Holy Spirit?

9After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. 10They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. 11"Men of Galilee," they said, "why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven." 12Then they returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day's walk from the city. 13When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. Those present were Peter, John, James and Andrew; Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew; James son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot, and Judas son of James. 14They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers. 7But I tell you the truth: It is for your good that I am going away. Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send him to you.