Scripture Memory Meditation | Matthew 28:18-20

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Jesus came near and said to them, "All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Matthew 28:18-20 (CSB)

As the Son of God, Jesus Christ has the authority to make this command of His followers. Christ’s command is simple to understand, but, as with all Scripture, it takes work to apply it consistently to our lives.

Go and make disciples

We know and are surrounded by those who do not know of Christ. They are within our family, and sometimes under the same roof as us. They are our neighbors, work colleagues, and our classmates at school. As the Christian in the relationship, you have a responsibility to proclaim the gospel to them. Some suggestions to help you get started:

  • Pray for the unbelievers in your life by name and ask God to open their blind eyes to their sin and need of salvation.
  • To get the conversation going you can ask simple questions like, “What is your religious/church background?” or “What church do you go to?”.
  • Tell people where you go to church and give a brief explanation of what the “resurrection” part of Resurrection Church means to you.
  • Use the “What did you do this weekend?” question with work colleagues or school classmates to share with them what you did and include that you went to church on Sunday.
  • Start simple and as your relationship with unbelievers grows share more of the gospel with them.
  • Do not be discouraged if the conversation does not turn out the way you hoped. Be consistent and pray that God continues working in their life.

Baptize

While one individual may conduct the physical act of baptizing another person, baptism is an ordinance of the church and is thus a church-wide act. We all play a role in a believer’s baptism. Here are some practical ideas of how to live this church-wide act out:

  • Encourage non-baptized believers to obey Christ’s command to follow him in baptism.
  • Arm yourself with biblical information on baptism. A good place to start is the material Resurrection Church already has available.
  • Share your own baptism testimony with non-baptized believers.
  • When the church announces an upcoming baptism, speak with the soon-to-be-baptized person, and let them know that you are excited to see them obey Christ.
  • On baptism day, be enthused and show your excitement. Baptisms should not be a somber occasion. Rejoice when you see people follow Christ! 

Teaching the commands of Christ

Teaching occurs formally, such as during Sunday morning’s Bible Class and corporate worship service, but a lot of teaching is by informal means as well. Do not feel daunted or overwhelmed by the thought of teaching. It is not complicated, and it does not require a seminary degree. Here are some thoughts to help guide you:

  • Begin a one-on-one Bible study. Select a book of the Bible, Mark for example, and read a few passages, talk about what you read, and then pray together.
  • Speak with someone after a church service and ask them what they thought of the sermon. Offer to meet with them later in the week to discuss the sermon and its series more.
  • Invite someone over to your house and spend time together in prayer. Offer them a glass of water or a cup of coffee, share some specific prayer requests, and start praying.

This command of Christ is simple, and the application of this command in our lives does not need to be complicated either. It takes diligent effort and some planning on our part, but obeying this command is something that every believer can do. Let us work together as we seek to follow and obey Christ’s command for us.

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