Matthew 28:16-20
Your Story
Talk about a time when you told someone else about Jesus. What were the circumstances? Was it a friend that you told or a stranger? How did they receive it? Or, talk about a time when you shared with someone something amazing that Jesus has done in your life (if this was a different time than sharing about Jesus). How did they receive that story?
My Story
As a young teenager, I remember telling one of my best friends about Jesus while we were at a slumber party. She was having a hard time and she was crying. Her parents argued a lot and she was worried about what was going to happen. Everyone else was already asleep, and I was doing my best to make her feel better. Finally, I told her about Jesus. I told her how Jesus helps me when I’m upset and I know that even when everyone else leaves, Jesus never will. Hearing about Jesus, talking about Jesus, actually helped her stop crying. It made her feel better, knowing that Jesus would always be there for her. Now, I don’t know if that changed her life. I don’t know if she became a Christian because of that conversation. But I did my part; I told her about Jesus and how much he loves her.
Read Matthew 28:16-20. From the NIV: Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
Through the years, most of us have read this as a passage that tells us to go to faraway places to tell people about Jesus. But as a child, and even as an adult, it can be hard to get on an airplane and go somewhere far from our homes to tell others about Jesus. Throughout history, there have even been times when we have ignored the people around us to go tell others in faraway places about Jesus. We can read this passage as a call for us to go to faraway places. But we can also read it in a different way. Instead of “go on a specific trip”, we can read it as “as you are going.” As you are going, make disciples of all nations. When we look at the passage this way, we discover something new. We don’t have to go to faraway places to tell people about Jesus. Instead, we can tell people that we see every day. As you are going…as you are going to school, as you are going to the grocery store, as you are going to soccer or gymnastics or playdates or the pool. Whatever you are doing, you can tell others about Jesus.
But, here’s the really important thing: yelling at others about Jesus isn’t helpful. People don’t like it when you yell about things. But if you see someone upset, you can tell them how Jesus helps you when you are upset. If you see someone who’s all alone, go talk to them. Be their friend. Eventually you may find out that they really need to hear about Jesus. Then you can tell them how much Jesus means to you. When you tell others about Jesus in your everyday life, things start to happen. Some people will accept Jesus and discover how much he loves them. Other people won’t accept Jesus. And that’s okay, because you did what you were supposed to do. You told them about Jesus. But for the people who listen, you can change their lives by telling them about Jesus. Everyone needs to hear that they aren’t alone in this world. And as Matthew 28:20 says, surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. Jesus is always with us. He’ll never leave us, no matter what. And that is great news to share with everyone!
Discussion
• Talk about positive ways to share Jesus with those around you.
• As a family, have each person share ways that Jesus has helped them.
• Talk about places where you can share Jesus with others.
Prayer
Thank God for Jesus and ask God for opportunities for you and your family to share Jesus with the people around you.
Jessica Asbell is currently serving as the Minister to Children at First Baptist Church of Roswell, GA. She has worked with children in various capacities at several churches, including Winter Park Baptist in Wilmington, NC, First Baptist of Decatur, GA, and Highland Hills Baptist in Macon, GA. She has a Master of Divinity from McAfee School of Theology and a BBA from Mercer University. In her spare time she loves to read, watch movies, and of course spend time with her sweet kitty, Lucy.
