Go Make Disciples: Living Out Jesus' Great Commission in Your Everyday Life
Adapted from: Make Disciples by Sam Holm
Ever felt like there's supposed to be more to life than just getting through the week?
Eight days before delivering this message, Pastor Sam stood in a college dorm room with his daughter. For eighteen years, he'd been preparing for that moment—ever since he heard a sermon about children being like arrows, meant to be launched toward their purpose. As the air conditioner hummed and light filtered through the window, he reminded her of truths he'd spoken over her for years: nothing could change how much he loved her, and God would always go with her.
Then came the words he'd been saving: "Go make disciples."
What Three Questions Does This Sermon Answer?
1. What did Jesus tell us to do?
Jesus gave one clear command: make disciples of all nations. At its core, a disciple is simply someone who follows Jesus, lives like Him, and helps others do the same. This isn't about getting people to join a church—it's about introducing them to a relationship that transforms their entire life.
2. How did Jesus tell us to do it?
Jesus outlined three action steps: Go (or more accurately, "as you go" through your daily life), baptize (share the good news so people can publicly identify with Jesus), and teach (help people learn to follow Jesus in practical ways). The beautiful part? This doesn't require a theology degree or a dramatic life change—it happens right where you already are.
3. Why does this matter for my life?
Because this is where real joy and purpose are found. Jesus didn't give us this mission to burden us with guilt—He gave it because He loves us and knows we were made for more than just existing. When we invest in others' spiritual growth, we discover the abundant life Jesus promised.
It's Not a Guilt Trip—It's an Invitation
If you're thinking, "I don't have time" or "I'm not qualified for that," you're not alone. But here's the reality: Jesus didn't commission perfect people. He commissioned regular, messed-up people like you and me.
Pastor Sam's daughter discovered this truth herself. Mid-summer, she told her parents that the most fulfilling thing she'd ever done was spending two years meeting regularly with her neighbor's daughter, reading the Bible together, and talking about life. That realization changed everything for her—not because her pastor-dad pressured her, but because she experienced firsthand the joy of helping someone else grow.
Starting Where You Are
The Great Commission doesn't require you to quit your job and move overseas. For most of us, it starts right where we are—in our daily routines and existing relationships.
Your workplace, your gym, your neighborhood, your kitchen table—these are your mission fields. Where you are right now isn't an accident. The people in your life aren't there by chance.
Three practical next steps:
1. Identify your circle. Who has life placed in your path? Coworkers, neighbors, the parents at your kid's soccer games? Start by simply noticing them and praying for them.
2. Share what you've experienced. You don't need to be a Bible expert. Just tell people what God has done in your life. Like Matt Spencer (featured in the sermon) says: "God has already prepared two out of ten people to be ready for this conversation. You just have to find who He's prepared."
3. Invest intentionally. Pick one or two people and commit to walking alongside them. Grab coffee regularly. Read the Bible together. Answer their questions. Show them what following Jesus actually looks like in real life.
The Ripple Effect
Matt Spencer was a high school teacher and coach who started investing in his students' spiritual lives. He taught them how to follow Jesus and then how to help their friends do the same. Football players started leading Bible discussions with their teammates. Choir members did the same with their friends. The ripple effect was so powerful that Matt eventually left teaching to do this community-wide, and now he's training students across multiple school districts.
He didn't start as a ministry professional. He was just a coach who said yes to God working through his everyday life.
Your Turn
Just as Pastor Sam commissioned his daughter, you're being commissioned today. Not to make you feel inadequate, but because you were designed for this. There's a reason you feel like there should be more to life—because there is.
Making disciples isn't another task for your to-do list. It's weaving purpose into the life you're already living. And according to everyone who's experienced it, it's the most fulfilling thing you'll ever do.
Ready to start? Pick one person this week. Pray for them. Have a real conversation. See where God takes it.
Ever felt like there's supposed to be more to life than just getting through the week?
Eight days before delivering this message, Pastor Sam stood in a college dorm room with his daughter. For eighteen years, he'd been preparing for that moment—ever since he heard a sermon about children being like arrows, meant to be launched toward their purpose. As the air conditioner hummed and light filtered through the window, he reminded her of truths he'd spoken over her for years: nothing could change how much he loved her, and God would always go with her.
Then came the words he'd been saving: "Go make disciples."
What Three Questions Does This Sermon Answer?
1. What did Jesus tell us to do?
Jesus gave one clear command: make disciples of all nations. At its core, a disciple is simply someone who follows Jesus, lives like Him, and helps others do the same. This isn't about getting people to join a church—it's about introducing them to a relationship that transforms their entire life.
2. How did Jesus tell us to do it?
Jesus outlined three action steps: Go (or more accurately, "as you go" through your daily life), baptize (share the good news so people can publicly identify with Jesus), and teach (help people learn to follow Jesus in practical ways). The beautiful part? This doesn't require a theology degree or a dramatic life change—it happens right where you already are.
3. Why does this matter for my life?
Because this is where real joy and purpose are found. Jesus didn't give us this mission to burden us with guilt—He gave it because He loves us and knows we were made for more than just existing. When we invest in others' spiritual growth, we discover the abundant life Jesus promised.
It's Not a Guilt Trip—It's an Invitation
If you're thinking, "I don't have time" or "I'm not qualified for that," you're not alone. But here's the reality: Jesus didn't commission perfect people. He commissioned regular, messed-up people like you and me.
Pastor Sam's daughter discovered this truth herself. Mid-summer, she told her parents that the most fulfilling thing she'd ever done was spending two years meeting regularly with her neighbor's daughter, reading the Bible together, and talking about life. That realization changed everything for her—not because her pastor-dad pressured her, but because she experienced firsthand the joy of helping someone else grow.
Starting Where You Are
The Great Commission doesn't require you to quit your job and move overseas. For most of us, it starts right where we are—in our daily routines and existing relationships.
Your workplace, your gym, your neighborhood, your kitchen table—these are your mission fields. Where you are right now isn't an accident. The people in your life aren't there by chance.
Three practical next steps:
1. Identify your circle. Who has life placed in your path? Coworkers, neighbors, the parents at your kid's soccer games? Start by simply noticing them and praying for them.
2. Share what you've experienced. You don't need to be a Bible expert. Just tell people what God has done in your life. Like Matt Spencer (featured in the sermon) says: "God has already prepared two out of ten people to be ready for this conversation. You just have to find who He's prepared."
3. Invest intentionally. Pick one or two people and commit to walking alongside them. Grab coffee regularly. Read the Bible together. Answer their questions. Show them what following Jesus actually looks like in real life.
The Ripple Effect
Matt Spencer was a high school teacher and coach who started investing in his students' spiritual lives. He taught them how to follow Jesus and then how to help their friends do the same. Football players started leading Bible discussions with their teammates. Choir members did the same with their friends. The ripple effect was so powerful that Matt eventually left teaching to do this community-wide, and now he's training students across multiple school districts.
He didn't start as a ministry professional. He was just a coach who said yes to God working through his everyday life.
Your Turn
Just as Pastor Sam commissioned his daughter, you're being commissioned today. Not to make you feel inadequate, but because you were designed for this. There's a reason you feel like there should be more to life—because there is.
Making disciples isn't another task for your to-do list. It's weaving purpose into the life you're already living. And according to everyone who's experienced it, it's the most fulfilling thing you'll ever do.
Ready to start? Pick one person this week. Pray for them. Have a real conversation. See where God takes it.
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