God has uniquely crafted each person for a purpose, placing them exactly where they are meant to be, even if the journey to that place has been filled with unexpected or difficult circumstances. Every domain of influence—whether at work, home, or among friends—is an opportunity to walk in the good works God has prepared in advance. You are not an accident; your presence and calling are intentional, and God equips those He calls, not the other way around. Trust that your life, with all its twists and turns, is part of God’s greater plan to build His kingdom right where you are. [04:16]
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV)
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Reflection: Looking back over your life, can you identify a difficult or unexpected event that God used to bring you to where you are today? How might He be calling you to use your current place and influence for His purpose this week?
To be a disciple is to place your life under the authority of Jesus, recognizing that all authority in heaven and on earth belongs to Him. Jesus is not distant or hiding; He is actively leading and calling His followers to trust and obey, even when the path seems daunting or unfamiliar. True discipleship means surrendering control and allowing Christ to direct your steps, knowing that He is the King and what He says goes. When you say, “Here am I, send me,” you open yourself to God’s extraordinary plans, even if they lead you to places or tasks you never imagined. [13:25]
Matthew 28:16-18 (ESV)
Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.”
Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you are resisting Jesus’ authority? What would it look like to fully surrender that area to Him today?
Jesus’ command to “go and make disciples of all nations” is not optional or reserved for a select few; it is the mission of every believer. Discipleship is about reproducing the life of Christ in others, sharing the good news, and inviting people into God’s family. Often, it’s a simple invitation or sharing your story that opens the door for someone else to encounter Jesus. Your unique relationships and experiences position you to reach people others cannot. As you walk through both blessings and trials, your faith can inspire others to seek the hope you have in Christ. [17:31]
Matthew 28:19 (ESV)
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,
Reflection: Who is one person in your life you can intentionally encourage or invite to take a step closer to Jesus this week? What practical action can you take to invest in their faith journey?
Jesus promises to be with His disciples always, empowering them for the mission and sustaining them through every challenge. No matter where you go or what you face, you are never alone—Christ’s presence goes before you, stands beside you, and gives you courage to obey. Even in the hardest moments, God’s presence brings peace, joy, and strength that the world cannot offer. As you grow in your relationship with Him, you become more like Christ and are equipped to bring hope to a world searching for meaning. [21:41]
Matthew 28:20 (ESV)
Teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.
Reflection: When have you most clearly sensed God’s presence with you in a difficult situation? How can you lean into His presence for courage and peace in what you’re facing right now?
Discipleship is not a solo endeavor; it is a shared journey of helping others grow in Christ while also being shaped by those further along in faith. Every believer is called to both disciple someone and be discipled, fostering relationships that encourage, challenge, and build up the body of Christ. This mutual investment strengthens not only your relationship with God but also the bonds within your church family, creating a community marked by love and good works. Ask God to show you whom you can walk alongside and who can pour into your life, so that together you may grow more like Jesus. [28:53]
Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Reflection: Who is someone you can ask to intentionally disciple you, and who is someone you can encourage or disciple in their walk with Christ? What step can you take this week to begin or deepen these relationships?
Discipleship is at the very heart of what it means to follow Jesus. It’s not just about knowing facts or attending church, but about a daily walk with Christ that transforms us and calls us into his mission. Each of us has a unique domain—our family, workplace, friendships, or school—where God has placed us intentionally, not by accident. Even the difficult or unexpected turns in our lives are woven into God’s plan to use us for his purposes. We are God’s workmanship, created for good works that he prepared in advance for us to do.
A disciple is someone who follows Jesus, is being changed by Jesus, and is committed to the mission and call of Jesus: to love God with all our heart, soul, and strength, and to love our neighbor as ourselves. This calling is not reserved for a select few, but for all who belong to Christ. Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28 was given to ordinary people—worshipers and doubters alike—entrusted with an extraordinary mission: to make disciples of all nations. This means that discipleship is not a solo journey. We are called to multiply, to invest in others, and to invite them into the life-changing relationship we have with Christ.
God does not call the equipped; he equips those he calls. Our weaknesses and inadequacies are not obstacles, but opportunities for God’s strength to be displayed. Sometimes, God calls us to places or tasks that seem far beyond our comfort zone, but he always goes with us. His authority is total—over heaven and earth—and his presence is promised always, even to the end of the age. We are never sent alone. The presence of Jesus empowers us to obey, to endure hardship, and to offer hope to a world searching for meaning.
Discipleship is both giving and receiving. We are called to walk alongside those who are newer in the faith, encouraging and building them up, while also seeking out those who can pour into us. This mutual sharpening strengthens our relationship with God and with each other, building a church family marked by love, encouragement, and good works. The challenge is simple but profound: Who are you discipling, and who is discipling you? Pray for God to show you someone to invest in this week, and take a practical step to encourage them in their faith.
Matthew 28:16-20 (ESV) — > Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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 all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Ephesians 2:10 (ESV) — > For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
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