CONNECT:  Who is one person this week with whom you can share how you celebrated Easter?

WARM-UP  Question  

1. What is the purpose and role of the church in today’s society? Has it changed?

READ Matthew 28:16-18

1. What is the appropriate response to seeing the risen Jesus? Why?
2. What were the reactions of the disciples when they saw Jesus? Why do you think some of the disciples doubted? What does this tell us about our doubts or hesitations? 
3. What type of authority do human leaders have? What type of authority does Jesus have? How should this help us and encourage us even when times are tough or life isn’t going the way we planned?
4. Why should the authority of Jesus spur us on to mission?

READ Matthew 28:16-20

1. What is the central commandment of these verses? Are we at danger of overcomplicating this?
2. As a church what should we be doing as we await Jesus’ return? How is this different to the way Israel was to do mission?
3. Who and what is a ‘disciple’? What are two main elements when it comes to ‘making disciples’?
4. Who is our mission to? What could be some of our blindspots when we think about our mission?
5. How does the Gospel speak into and provide comfort for people in these troubling times? How does the hope of the Gospel interact with the ‘story’ of the global pandemic that we are experiencing?
6. What are your regular frontlines? How have these changed in recent weeks? How does this change how you might share or show the Good News? (There will be challenges as well as new opportunities.)
7. How have you viewed baptism in the past? What does baptism symbolise?
8. What is the difference between teaching people ideas and teaching people to obey? What is the fundamental act of obedience for all Christians?
9. What is our great hope in the midst of this mission and forevermore? How does this help us? What are some ways in which you can rely on the presence of Jesus more this week?

APPLY: Think about the person you are praying for to become a follower of Jesus. How can you share the hope of the Gospel with them this week?

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On Your Frontline This Week: What is one step you can take as a disciple maker this week? It could be in prayer, intentional friendship, sharing or inviting someone to do Introducing Jesus.

For Families: Download some of the family resources to use at home

Listen:          

• AUDIO: “This Great Salvation” a sermon by Willian Taylor
• AUDIO: “Last Word” a sermon by Thabiti Anyabwile
• VIDEO: “The Biblical Basis for Missions” a talk by Don Carson

Read:

• ARTICLE: “5 Ways we Get the Great Commission Wrong” by Trevin Wax
• ARTICLE: “Jesus Ensures the Great Commission Will Not Fail” by Mike Mckinley:

Other Helpful Resources (For Series):  

• BOOK: “Matthew: A Great Light Dawns”
• ONLINE: Introduction to the Gospel of Matthew (Fuller)
• VIDEO: The Bible Project, Matthew Overview

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