Inclusive Great Commission: Embracing Doubt in Discipleship

The Great Commission, as articulated in Matthew 28:19-20, is fundamentally inclusive, extending an invitation to make disciples of all nations without exclusion based on certainty or doubt. This mandate embraces individuals who are uncertain or wrestling with questions about their faith, affirming that doubt and worship can coexist. When Jesus appeared to his disciples after his resurrection, some doubted even as they worshiped him, demonstrating that faith is not the absence of doubt but can exist alongside it. Jesus neither rebuked nor rejected these doubts; instead, he affirmed both their worship and their uncertainties, meeting them where they were in their spiritual journey ([19:23]).

This inclusivity is central to understanding the Great Commission. Jesus entrusted the mission of making disciples to a group of imperfect, questioning followers who were honest about their struggles. They did not need to feign certainty or suppress their doubts to participate in this mission. The call to make disciples of all nations is therefore not reserved for the confident or the fully assured but extends especially to those who are exploring, questioning, or unsure. This approach reflects a recognition that faith is a dynamic journey that includes moments of uncertainty and honest inquiry.

Historically, the church has often gravitated toward demands for absolute certainty, which can foster disunity and discourage curiosity ([05:30]). However, a more faithful response aligns with Jesus’ example, which does not require perfect certainty from followers but accepts their doubts and entrusts them with the mission to reach all nations. This perspective encourages creating spaces within the faith community where questions are welcomed, honesty is valued, and faith can develop through exploration and dialogue.

The instruction to make disciples of all nations is inherently a call to reach people from diverse backgrounds, including those who are skeptical or uncertain about Jesus. It is a welcoming invitation to explore faith without the pressure to have all the answers upfront. The fact that Jesus’ own disciples, who experienced doubt, were commissioned to carry out this mission illustrates that doubt does not disqualify anyone from participating in God’s plan.

Ultimately, the Great Commission affirms an inclusive call that invites everyone—regardless of doubts, questions, or uncertainties—to be part of the mission to reach all nations. The church is called to be a community where questions are embraced, honesty is honored, and faith grows through honest engagement. This approach reflects Jesus’ example of meeting doubters with grace and trust, fostering a community that is open, welcoming, and inclusive of all who seek to follow him.

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from The Community Co. Church, one of 2 churches in Forest Lake, MN