Read Matthew 28:16-20

When was the last time you had some good news? Do you have an example of some good news that you’ve heard or had? What was the first thing you wanted to do when you found this out? Why? Probably because when you have good news or something awesome happens, the first thing you want to do is share it with people! You send a group text, you tell your classmates or coworkers, you post about it on social media. Think about it, even when you find a new restaurant that you love, read a great book or watch an incredible movie, everyone needs to know! The reason we do this is because we want others to share in our joy and experience it for themselves!

As believers, we have the most amazing, life-changing news to share: the gospel of Jesus Christ. The word gospel itself makes this clear, as it literally means “God good news.” It is both our great and glorious privilege and our mission to share this good news. This was the mission given to us by Jesus before He ascended into heaven. In Matthew 28:17-19, we’re told, “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.” This is our call to share the good news!

This is a topic that flat out makes people uncomfortable. It’s a touchy subject for both believers and nonbelievers. For some, it brings up feelings of fear and anxiety. For others, it’s unwelcomed, narrow-minded, and annoying… In fact, for many Christians, sharing the gospel with someone else is the most difficult part of their faith. The idea of stepping up and putting yourself out there to a stranger, a classmate or coworker, or even worse, with a close friend or family member has a lot of Christians shaking in their boots.

Different studies show that somewhere between 70 and 90% of Christians have never shared the gospel with someone. That means only about 2 out of every 10 people who consider themselves Christians ever share the good news of Christ. If we’re being honest, it’s no easy task, but there’s no way around it! As Romans 10:13-15 reminds us:

“For Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!”

If you are in Christ, if you are His disciple, you’ve been sent. It’s not just a call for some Christ-followers; it’s not just the job of a select group of believers or pastors . . . it’s our individual and collective mission.

You don’t need Bible college training to do this. Like the woman at the well, who immediately went into her town to tell people about Jesus, you just need to tell people the good news that Jesus loves them, died for them, and can change their lives and hearts in ways they never thought possible. Like the blind man in John 9:25 (NIV), you don’t need to know everything, because he said, “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!”

Consider the words of 2 Corinthians 5:17-20:

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”

The word in the original Greek used here for ambassador was actually the title given to official representatives of the Roman Emperor. It was someone authorized to represent and speak for literally the most powerful man on earth at the time. Think about that and connect it to this verse… What Paul is telling us is that we are God’s official representatives to the people around us! He is trusting us to literally speak for Him and tell people that He loves them and wants to give them eternal life.

And here’s the best part: We don’t have to do it alone! In Matthew 28:20, after giving us this mission to make disciples, Jesus says, “And surely I am with you always.” The gospel of Jesus has the power to change every heart on its own. All you need to do is be the messenger who delivers this good news.

• Discussion Question 1: What is the Christian’s purpose in life?
• Discussion Question 2: What are the responsibilities of an ambassador? How are you living in light of your calling as Christ’s ambassador? In what ways can you grow in your representation of Christ to the world? 
• Discussion Question 3: Is there someone you can share the message of the gospel with this week?
• Discussion Question 4: Where has God sent you?

This Week

This week, pray for someone in your life who doesn’t know Jesus yet. Ask the Lord to open their heart to receive Him and to open a door for you to share the gospel, to give you the boldness to share, and for the words to flow from the Spirit and not from you. Then when He makes a way, when the Spirit leads, preach the gospel to them! 

Memory Verse

“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.”—Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV)

Prayer Guide

Father, thank You for this account of Your Son’s life and work. Thank You for all You’ve done in my heart, mind, and life through this study. I pray this lesson and all the lessons and wisdom Your Spirit impressed upon me would take root and that I would walk in Your purposes and plans for me. Help me, empower me, protect me, and provide me with the opportunities to proclaim the good news of Jesus to the people around me so they may be saved and no longer stand condemned in sin. In Christ’s Name. Amen.

If you have any questions, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.