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Bible studies

Matthew 28

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• Resources
  • Bible studies
    • Genesis 3
    • Genesis 11:1-9
    • Isaiah 12
    • Matthew 4
    • Matthew 28
    • Mark 4
    • Mark 8
    • Acts 2:1-13
    • Romans 15
    • 1.Corinthians 19-27

Mission is compulsory (Matthew 28)

Introduction

The leaders’ meeting was livelier than usual. The feedback on the previous evening’s talk was as unanimous as it was impassioned. All concluded that the topic should have been an optional seminar, not part of the main programme and definitely not the theme for the last night of a week aimed at students. The talk had been given on Becoming a `world Christian`.

Most complaints revolved around the fact that the subject was marginal and therefore of little interest to the majority. World mission, expressed one tired senior leader, would be more appropriate to those who already had an established interest in geography or development. Specialist matters need not concern the whole.

But not only was it irrelevant, added another, it was also unfair. Most students were having enough struggles already. The weightier issues of deciding between future course and employment options, and of living as a Christian in a university context were surely more urgent. Students have enough aggro without being given a guilt trip for never having thought of some place they’ve never heard of.

And so it went on. In the minds of most, world mission remains an interest for those who are into that sort of thing, and a matter of indifference for the rest.

The Bible presents a very different view. Nowhere in Acts does the early church need to sit down and talk about when they are going to get round to world mission. Though not everyone is sent out as a missionary, they are all committed to the task. There are no missionary committees desperate for strategies that will enthuse and galvanise the church. No, it was automatic. In the New Testament there is no special obligation to be involved in world mission, it is a normal part of the Christian life. The NT writers would no doubt find our distinction between ‘World’ and ‘ordinary’ Christians quite foreign.

This passage in Matthew 28 shows us why. We see that world mission flows out of issues that affect us all. We will be interested because of who Jesus is, because of what he wants from us, and because he’s promised to help us. Matthew spells out these three reasons why world mission matters.

Because of who Jesus is

Before we look at the commission at the end of Matthew 28, it is important to see how the events in the earlier half of this chapter point toward what Jesus goes on to say. Matthew describes how the news of Jesus’ resurrection first broke, and shows us why this is so significant.

(1) Read Matthew 28:1-10.
Resurrection was spoken about in the Old Testament. From the following passages, what might Jesus’ followers associate with the resurrection?

- Ezekiel 37:12

- Psalm 16:10

(2) How does the resurrection show that Jesus has ‘all authority in Heaven and on earth’ (verse 18)?

In Matthew 28, there seems to be an emphasis on Galilee (7, 10, and 16). Most Jews regarded Galilee as a dark and insignificant backwater. In John’s gospel we find the disciple Nathanael referring to one of Galilee’s foremost towns, ‘Nazareth! Can anything good come from there?’ (John 1:46). But for Jesus, Galilee was clearly significant.

(3) What does Isaiah 9:1 tell us about Galilee?

(4) Why is it significant that Jesus insists he begin his risen ministry in Galilee?

(5) Jesus immediately follows the affirmation of who he is with the command ‘Therefore go into all the nations’ (verse19). Why is world mission bound up with his authority?

(6) Jesus’ concern is clearly for the whole world. How can our Christian lives reflect this concern? (e.g. in our attitude, prayer, giving, reading, awareness, etc.)

Be Concerned!

Because of what Jesus requires (19-20a)

(7) What two things are involved in making disciples? (in verses 19b and 20a)

(8) Some Christians believe that the great commission only applies to the original disciples as part of their founding the church. How would you respond to this from 20a? How does this affect you?

(9) In what ways are you involved in world mission?

(10) What more could you do?

Be Involved!

Because of what Jesus has promised (20b)

Matthew’s gospel ends ultimately not with a command but a promise. From what has happened earlier we can see that this is not a threat or a bribe.

(11) Look at Matthew 28:10 and 17. Why do Jesus’ followers need the encouragement of this promise?

(12) In Acts we see how the promise of Jesus’ continued presence is kept.
Look at Acts 1:8. What will the disciples receive?

(13) What will this help them to do (see also Acts 4:8 and 31b)?

(14) Jesus has commanded us to take his gospel into the world. How can this promise encourage us as we seek to obey him?

Be Encouraged!

Matthew 28 teaches us that world mission is important for all Jesus’ followers. If we name him as lord of heaven and earth and are not concerned for his world then we have not understood why he was raised from the dead. If we claim to follow him but are not involved in world mission then we are not true disciples. It is for this task of reaching the world with the gospel that Jesus has promised to be with us by his Spirit.

Sam Allberry, 2000