The Church’s Mission
Ben Johnson - October 4, 2026
Matthew 28:16-20 (NLT) – Then the eleven disciples left for Galilee, going to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him—but some of them doubted!
Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth. Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
The Church GATHERS, GROWS, and GOES.
Ephesians 4:14-16 (NLT) – Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love.
2 Timothy 4:3-5 (NLT) – For a time is coming when people will no longer listen to sound and wholesome teaching. They will follow their own desires and will look for teachers who will tell them whatever their itching ears want to hear. They will reject the truth and chase after myths.
But you should keep a clear mind in every situation. Don’t be afraid of suffering for the Lord. Work at telling others the Good News, and fully carry out the ministry God has given you.
We don’t GO because the church needs to GROW.
We GO because MORE people need to KNOW.
1. We GO to our FAMILY.
Who in our family needs to KNOW Jesus?
2. We GO to our FRIENDS.
Who is God asking me to move TOWARDS, not just pray for from a DISTANCE?
3. We GO to our COMMUNITY.
The mission isn’t somewhere ELSE. The mission is WHERE God has already placed us.
Our mission is to LIVE like Jesus, LOVE like Jesus, and LEAD people to Jesus.
Life Group Discussion & Questions
BREAKING THE ICE:
Where is one place you’ve been that you would happily go back to tomorrow, and what made it so memorable?
DIGGING IN:
1. When you hear the word “missions,” what is the first thing that comes to mind? How might Jesus’ command to “go” be bigger than what we typically think of as missions?
2. Matthew 28:19 says, “Go and make disciples of all nations.” Why do you think it’s easy for us to think of that command as something for missionaries, pastors, or people who go overseas?
3. What keeps us from moving TOWARD people who don’t know Jesus? What makes it easier to pray for someone from a distance than to actually enter into their life?
4. Think about your FAMILY, FRIENDS, and COMMUNITY. Which of those three areas feels like the place where God is asking you to be more intentional about going? Why?
5. What would it look like this week to “go” without necessarily inviting someone to church? What could you do to build a relationship, serve someone, listen to their story, or have a spiritual conversation?
BRINGING IT HOME:
The mission isn’t somewhere ELSE. The mission is WHERE God has already placed you. You don’t have to cross an ocean to go on mission. You may just need to cross the street, walk across the office, pick up the phone, or sit down at the table. We don’t GO because the church needs to GROW. We GO because MORE people need to KNOW. Who is your ONE?