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New Year, Same Mission

16 Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!18 Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. 19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” MATTHEW 28:16-20 NLT

Who might become a disciple of Jesus because of your obedience to these words of Jesus?

To live on mission means…

God will use my imperfections to accomplish his mission

The members of the council were amazed when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, for they could see that they were ordinary men with no special training in the Scriptures. They also recognized them as men who had been with Jesus. ACTS 4:13 NLT

Imperfect disciples can still make real disciples 

I join God in the work he is already doing

But Jesus replied, “My Father is always working, and so am I.” JOHN 5:17 NLT

Wherever I am, God has sent me there

Again he said, “Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I am sending you.” JOHN 20:21 NLT

God has sent me…

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet space to spend some time with God reflecting and talking with him about His mission for your life. Take a few deep breaths and ask God to help you become calm in your thoughts and feelings. Take a walk if you need to, and when you are ready, invite God to guide your time together. Consider your life’s mission. What are you most after? What’s driving you? And what are you trying to accomplish? Invite the Holy Spirit to help you see what’s been most important to you, and how you’ve been going after it. What feelings do you sense about this pursuit? How are you experiencing fulfillment, or disappointment? How is your life’s mission connected to Jesus’? Now, imagine you are on a mountain standing among the disciples, and the risen Jesus is standing in front of you. Read the words Jesus in Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT), as though He is speaking directly to you. What thoughts and feelings surface as you hear the Great Commission to go make disciples of all the nations? Is there anything that keeps you from making this your life’s mission? Take a moment to place any fears, doubts or challenges in front of Jesus, and invite Him to show you the way and encourage you. Who has God put in your life that you could invite to follow Jesus with you? What could you share with them that might encourage them? Spend a few minutes praying for a few people that come to mind. Close your time with a commitment to living on mission with Jesus. Consider writing out a mission statement, inspired by the Great Commission, and put this somewhere you will see it every day.

Discussion Questions

Choose a couple of the following questions from each section that best fit your group. Or have everyone read the questions, choosing which one(s) from each section they feel led to respond to.

  1. START HERE: Who is a teacher that had a big impact on you and what is the biggest lesson you learned from them?
  2. START HERE: Who has been most helpful in showing you how to follow Jesus?
  3. START HERE: If someone were to look at your life, what would they say is your mission? (What are you most after? What drives you? What are you trying to accomplish?)
  4. KEEP GOING: What is something you have learned or changed since following Jesus?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 28:18-20 (NLT). “Go make disciples of all the nations” is our mission. How do you see yourself as an active part of this mission?
  6. KEEP GOING: What gets in the way of us making disciples or even becoming one?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read John 5:17 (NLT). Where do you sense God inviting you to join with Him as He’s working in your life and in the lives of those around you?
  8. LIVE IT OUT: Who are the people nearest you–your neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, etc–who need the life-saving love of Jesus? Pray for them together in your group.
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Jesus often shared meals with his disciples. Who could you invite to your home for a meal?