Empowered to Make Disciples Together

Today, we gathered as a family of faith to reflect on what it truly means to be a baptized child of God and how that identity shapes our calling to make disciples. I shared some personal stories about my father and grandfather—how they taught me many things, both good and bad, but also how there were gaps in what was passed down, especially when it came to living out a real, vibrant relationship with Jesus. This is a common struggle in many families and churches: we often pass on knowledge about God, but not always the practices and habits that nurture a living faith.

We looked closely at Jesus’ words in the Great Commission, where He calls all His followers—not just pastors or a select few—to go and make disciples of all nations. This is not a task reserved for the spiritually elite, but a calling for every believer. Jesus’ command is rooted in His authority and His gift of baptism, which is not just a one-time event but an ongoing reality. In baptism, we are united with Christ in His life, death, and resurrection. This identity is a gift that continually pursues us, even when we stray or doubt our worthiness.

Yet, Jesus doesn’t stop at baptism. He calls us to be continually taught and to teach others—to live out our faith in community, not just as individuals. Too often, churches have focused on imparting information rather than transformation. We can know a lot about God and still struggle to live as disciples who make disciples. That’s why we are committed to creating spaces and relationships where we can learn, grow, and hold each other accountable—not just in knowledge, but in living out the way of Jesus.

We are launching new ministries and discipleship opportunities—huddles, men’s and women’s groups, marriage and young adult ministries—so that everyone can find a place to grow and to help others grow. Discipleship is not about having all the answers; it’s about being one step ahead and inviting others to follow as we follow Christ. The harvest is plentiful, and God is awakening something new in our church and community. Let’s respond to His call together, living out our baptismal identity and sharing the good news in word and action.

Key Takeaways

• 1. True discipleship is more than passing on information; it’s about modeling a living relationship with Jesus. Many of us were taught about God but not shown how to walk with Him daily. The call is to break this cycle by intentionally practicing and demonstrating faith in our homes and communities, so the next generation learns not just what to believe, but how to live it. [33:10]
• 2. The Great Commission is for every believer, not just pastors or church leaders. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” is a plural, all-encompassing call—meant for “all y’all.” Each of us is both a disciple and a disciple-maker, called to share the good news with our children, our neighbors, and the world, regardless of our perceived qualifications or doubts. [37:48]
• 3. Baptism is not a one-time event but an ongoing gift and identity. In baptism, we are united with Christ’s life, death, and resurrection, and this reality continues to pursue us even when we wander. Our worth and calling are rooted not in our performance or faithfulness, but in God’s relentless love and grace that claims us as His own. [42:41]
• 4. Teaching and being taught are lifelong, present-tense realities for every Christian. None of us “arrive” at full discipleship; we are always in need of growth, correction, and encouragement. The church must move beyond simply delivering information to fostering transformation—helping each other become more like Jesus in character and action. [44:31]
• 5. Discipleship happens best in relationships where imitation, accountability, and shared life are central. Jesus’ method was to invite His followers to watch, imitate, and then go and do likewise. We are called to find those ahead of us to learn from, and those behind us to guide, knowing that if someone is a step behind us, we are ready to disciple them. [51:55]

Youtube Chapters

• [00:00] - Welcome
• [11:48] - Associate Pastor Call Announcement
• [12:33] - Opening Prayer
• [28:32] - Reflections on Family and Legacy
• [29:08] - Lessons from My Father and Grandfather
• [32:29] - Learning by Example (and Mistakes)
• [33:10] - Gaps in Spiritual Formation
• [34:26] - Our Church’s Mission and Strategy
• [35:50] - The Great Commission Explained
• [38:55] - Doubt and the Disciples
• [40:43] - The Gift and Power of Baptism
• [44:09] - Teaching and Lifelong Discipleship
• [46:10] - Moving Beyond Information to Transformation
• [49:02] - Discipleship in Action: Ministries and Huddles
• [51:32] - Living Out Our Baptismal Identity
• [53:20] - Invitation to Baptism and Forgiveness
• [56:53] - Commitment, Prayer, and Worship

Bible Reading

Matthew 28:16-20 (The Great Commission, ESV) — 16 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them.
17 And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.
18 And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
19 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,
20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”

Galatians 3:27 (ESV) — For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ.

Observation Questions

1. In Matthew 28:16-20, what are the specific actions Jesus commands His followers to do?
2. According to the sermon, what is the difference between passing on information about God and modeling a living relationship with Jesus? [[33:10]]
3. What does the pastor say about who the Great Commission is for? Is it just for pastors or for everyone? [[37:48]]
4. How does the sermon describe the ongoing nature of baptism in the life of a believer? [[42:41]]

Interpretation Questions

1. Why do you think some of the disciples doubted even when they saw the risen Jesus? What does this say about our own struggles with doubt? [[38:55]]
2. The sermon mentions that many families and churches pass on knowledge about God but not the practices of faith. Why might this be such a common struggle? [[33:10]]
3. What does it mean that baptism is not just a one-time event but an ongoing gift and identity? How might this shape the way someone views their relationship with God? [[42:41]]
4. The pastor says, “Discipleship is not about having all the answers; it’s about being one step ahead and inviting others to follow as we follow Christ.” What does this look like in real life? [[51:55]]

Application Questions

1. The pastor shared that his father and grandfather taught him many things, but not how to have a daily relationship with Jesus. Who taught you about faith growing up, and what did they model for you? Are there any gaps you notice in what was passed down? [[33:10]]
2. Think about your own home or friendships. Are you more likely to talk about God or to actually practice faith together (like praying, reading the Bible, or serving)? What is one habit you could start or restart this week to model a living faith? [[33:10]]
3. Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples” is for “all y’all”—not just pastors. Who in your life might God be calling you to disciple, even if you feel unqualified? What is one step you could take toward that this month? [[37:48]]
4. The sermon says that baptism is a gift that keeps pursuing us, even when we wander. Have you ever felt like you were running from God? How did He pursue you, and how does remembering your baptism help you today? [[42:41]]
5. The pastor talked about moving beyond just learning information to actually being transformed and living out the way of Jesus. What is one area of your life where you want to see more transformation, not just more knowledge? [[44:31]]
6. Discipleship happens best in relationships where imitation and accountability are central. Who is someone ahead of you in faith that you could learn from? Who is someone a step behind you that you could encourage or guide? [[51:55]]
7. Our church is launching new ministries and huddles to help people grow as disciples. What is one group, ministry, or relationship you could join or invest in to help you grow and help others grow? [[49:02]]