Matthew 28:20 – “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.”
Most Christians know Matthew 28:19 very well: “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations…” This verse inspires evangelism, missions, and outreach. And praise God, His gospel truly is going forth into all the world!
Through churches, missionaries, and technology, the good news of Jesus Christ is reaching countless people. Many are coming to faith in Christ. That is worth celebrating.
But let’s pause for a moment. How well are we fulfilling Matthew 28:20?
The Great Commission does not stop with evangelism. Jesus gave a second command: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” Evangelism brings people into God’s family, but discipleship teaches them how to live as children of God. Sadly, this second part of the Great Commission is often neglected.
The Bible Is for Believers Too
When we think about the Bible, we often connect it with salvation verses: Romans 10:9, John 3:16, Ephesians 2:8-9. But Scripture was not written only for unbelievers to get saved. It was given for believers to learn how to walk in obedience and maturity.
Jesus Himself said in John 8:31:
“If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples indeed.”
Notice the condition: continue in My word. Salvation is the starting point, but discipleship is the journey. Many people want the blessings of God but forget that certain promises are tied to obedience. Obedience isn’t about legalism; it’s about love.
John 14:21 puts it this way:
“He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me.”
God longs for a relationship, not mere religion. He doesn’t thump us over the head when we stumble. Instead, He lovingly draws us into deeper obedience because He knows obedience leads to true joy, peace, and blessing.
The Crisis of Biblical Illiteracy
If we’re honest, biblical literacy today is at an all-time low. Many Christians don’t know how to study the Bible, interpret it correctly, or apply it to daily life.
The results are heartbreaking:
- Divorce rates among Christians are nearly the same as the world’s, showing that many believers were never taught God’s design for marriage and relationships.
- Compromise and worldliness often creep into the church because believers don’t understand what God’s Word says about holiness.
- Spiritual immaturity keeps people stuck in cycles of sin and defeat because they were never discipled in how to walk in victory.
This should stir us to action. The Great Commission is not just about getting people saved; it’s about teaching them to observe all things Christ commanded.
Discipleship Is Everyone’s Responsibility
Too often, believers think discipleship is the pastor’s job. But Jesus gave the Great Commission to all believers.
Yes, pastors play a role, but think about it: how often do we really see our pastors outside of Sunday? A sermon once a week cannot replace daily life-on-life discipleship. True discipleship means walking with people, modeling faith, and teaching obedience in real situations—at work, at home, in struggles, and victories.
Paul understood this well. Look at his words in Acts 20:19, 31:
“Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations… by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.”
Paul didn’t just preach a sermon on Sunday and disappear. For three years in Ephesus, he lived among the people, teaching daily, showing them by example how to serve Christ.
That’s discipleship. And it’s not just for Paul. It’s for us too.
What Discipleship Looks Like
So, what does it mean to “observe all things” Jesus commanded? It means intentionally helping others grow in obedience to Christ. Here are some practical ways:
1️⃣ Model the Christian Life Daily
Discipleship is caught as much as it is taught. Invite younger believers into your life. Let them see how you handle conflict, how you pray, how you treat your spouse and children, how you work with integrity.
2️⃣ Teach the Word in Simplicity
You don’t have to be a Bible scholar to teach someone. Open the Scriptures together. Share what you’ve learned. Ask questions. Encourage them to read daily. The Holy Spirit is the ultimate Teacher, but He uses us as vessels.
3️⃣ Be Vulnerable and Real
People don’t need a perfect Christian image; they need authenticity. Share your struggles and how God is helping you grow. Discipleship flourishes in honesty and humility.
4️⃣ Walk Alongside, Not Just Ahead
Don’t just preach to people. Walk with them. Pray with them. Help them apply truth to their unique life situations. Sometimes discipleship looks like a coffee conversation, a text message of encouragement, or praying together after work.
5️⃣ Multiply the Process
The goal of discipleship is not just to grow one person but to equip them to disciple others. Paul told Timothy, “The things that thou hast heard of me… commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2). That’s four generations of discipleship in one verse!
Why This Matters
The Great Commission is not a buffet where we pick our favorite parts. We cannot say, “I’ll evangelize but not disciple,” or “I’ll attend church but not obey.” Jesus commanded us to teach them to observe all things.
Why is this so important? Because without discipleship:
- New believers remain spiritual infants.
- The church grows wide in numbers but shallow in depth.
- The witness of Christ is weakened in the world.
But when believers are discipled:
- Families are strengthened.
- Churches are filled with mature, serving Christians.
- The world sees the transforming power of Jesus lived out daily.
A Personal Challenge
So, let’s ask ourselves honestly:
- Am I fulfilling the Great Commission in its entirety, or just the parts I like?
- Who am I currently discipling, intentionally walking alongside in the faith?
- Who am I learning from, so I can continue to grow as a disciple myself?
Remember, discipleship doesn’t require a program or a platform. It simply requires obedience, humility, and love. Jesus spent most of His ministry discipling twelve men by walking, eating, praying, and serving with them. If He did it that way, so should we.
Conclusion: Let’s Observe All Things
The gospel is reaching the nations, but now we must ask: are we teaching them to observe all things? Evangelism without discipleship leaves people half-prepared. Jesus wants more for His church. He wants a people deeply rooted in His Word, living it out daily, and passing it on to others.
If you are a believer, you are called to disciple. Not just pastors. Not just missionaries. You. Right where you are.
So, let’s rise up and fulfill the whole Great Commission. Let’s live the Word, teach the Word, and model the Word. And as we do, Christ’s love will shine through us, drawing others closer to Him.
Call to Action
Ask God today: “Lord, who do You want me to disciple?” Then take a step of obedience, invite someone to study Scripture with you, pray together, or simply share life in Christ.
Together, let’s move beyond evangelism alone and embrace the fullness of Jesus’ command: “Teaching them to observe all things.”
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Recommended Resource
One of the greatest joys of following Jesus is walking alongside others in their faith journey. If you’ve ever felt unsure about how to start making disciples, Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples by Francis Chan and Mark Beuving is a wonderful resource. It will both encourage your heart and equip you with biblical tools to live out the Great Commission in everyday life.
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Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples By Francis Chan with Mark Beuving In Multiply: Disciples Making Disciples, Francis Chan and Mark Beuving show you how disciple-making is not just for pastors or evangelists—it’s the joyful calling of every believer. With 24 sessions of discipleship mentoring designed for small groups, this resource will encourage and equip you to live out Jesus’ Great Commission in everyday life. |