The Great Commission
Matthew 28:16-20 and Luke 24:44-49
Class 0
Lens 1: God’s Plan (The Great Commission)
Research Assignment Questions:
How does Dr. Darrell Bock describe the geographic progression of the gospel from Jerusalem to the end of the earth?
What is the significance of the mountain setting in Galilee according to Dr. John MacArthur?
How does the theology of creation in Dr. Joseph Fitzmyer's analysis support the inclusion of all nations in God’s redemptive plan?
Learner Reflection Questions:
How does understanding the Great Commission as the fulfillment of the Abrahamic Covenant change your view of the church’s purpose?
The Meaning: This question asks you to think about the "big picture" of the Bible and realize that the mission isn't just a random task, but the completion of a promise God made thousands of years ago.
In what ways does the mountain setting as a "throne room" impact how you perceive Jesus' commands to His followers?
The Meaning: This question encourages you to consider the authority behind the mission, helping you see that these aren't just suggestions but decrees from the King of the universe.
How does the realization that the mission is "pre-calculated" by God influence your level of confidence when facing obstacles?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to reflect on whether you trust in God's sovereign plan or if you rely on your own strength, and how that trust changes your response to difficulties.
Lens 2: The Holy Spirit (The Power Source)
Research Assignment Questions:
According to John Stott, why is the Holy Spirit described as the "indispensable fifth dimension" of the Great Commission?
How does John Calvin differentiate between the outward preaching of the Word and the internal power of the Holy Spirit?
What role does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones assign to the coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost regarding the Church's authority?
Learner Reflection Questions:
How can you evaluate if your current service is empowered by the Spirit rather than human effort?
The Meaning: This question asks you to consider the difference between relying on your own skills or enthusiasm and seeking true spiritual guidance in your daily life.
In what ways does the concept of the Spirit as the "strategic navigator" change your approach to your own mission or service work?
The Meaning: This question prompts you to think about how trusting in a divine guide affects how you plan and execute your tasks compared to relying only on strategy.
Why is the internal work of the Spirit necessary for the external proclamation of the Word to be truly effective?
The Meaning: This question encourages you to explore why simply sharing information is not enough, and why a spiritual component is needed to impact the hearts of others.
Lens 3: The Gospel (Telling the Story of Jesus)
Research Assignment Questions:
How does John Stott define the two negative boundaries for the mission of the church?
According to Dr. D.A. Carson and Dr. John MacArthur, what was the function of the forty days of post-resurrection instruction?
Why do Dr. John MacArthur and Dr. William Hendriksen argue that repentance cannot be separated from saving faith?
Learner Reflection Questions:
How does the demand for "repentance" challenge your current understanding of what it means to follow Jesus?
The Meaning: This question invites you to reflect on whether your faith involves a genuine turning away from old habits, or if you see it as just a change in your beliefs.
Why is it significant that the Great Commission focuses on verbal proclamation rather than primarily social reform?
The Meaning: This question asks you to think about what the primary job of the church is, and why it is important to keep the gospel message at the center of that work.
How does the historical fact of the resurrection provide a foundation for challenging modern power structures?
The Meaning: This question encourages you to consider how an objective historical event, like the resurrection, impacts how Christians interact with and view the world's authorities.
Lens 4: Prophecy Fulfillment (The Vertical Link)
Research Assignment Questions:
How does Dr. Darrell Bock instruct disciples to read and interpret the Hebrew Scriptures in light of Jesus?
How do F.F. Bruce and Dr. Joseph Fitzmyer characterize the early church's self-understanding in relation to historic Israel?
Why does Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones attribute the disciples' dejection on the road to Emmaus to a failure of systematic biblical interpretation?
Learner Reflection Questions:
Why is it important to view the New Testament mission as a continuation of the Old Testament rather than a completely new break?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to look for connections between the past and present, helping you see the "big picture" of the biblical story.
In what ways do you currently interpret the Bible, and how might a more "Christ-centered" approach change your reading?
The Meaning: This question asks you to evaluate your own reading habits and consider how looking for Jesus in every part of the text changes its meaning for you.
Why was it necessary for the disciples to accept the "suffering Servant" prophecies alongside the "triumphant Messiah" prophecies?
The Meaning: This question asks you to think about why the Bible includes difficult or unexpected parts, and why accepting all of them is necessary for a true understanding of faith.
Lens 5: Friction Analysis (Acceptance and Opposition)
Research Assignment Questions:
How does Dr. Craig Keener interpret the doubt experienced by the disciples on the mountain?
Why does John Calvin argue that the doctrine of election provides stamina for missionary work?
What is the remedy for the "spiritual sickness" of apathy identified by Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones?
Learner Reflection Questions:
How can you transform obstacles in your mission into divine opportunities for redirection?
The Meaning: This question encourages you to view challenges not as signs of failure, but as chances to see how God is steering your path in a new direction.
How do you distinguish between honest human hesitation and a lack of spiritual conviction?
The Meaning: This question asks you to look inward to see if your struggles come from a normal human reaction to difficult tasks or from a lack of true belief in the mission.
How does relying on God's sovereignty change your attitude toward your own safety or comfort in ministry?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to consider if you are seeking security in your own abilities or if you are resting in the fact that God has already planned the outcome.
Lens 6: The New Testament Bridge (The Canonical Handshake)
Research Assignment Questions:
According to Dr. D.A. Carson, how does the baptismal command anticipate later New Testament Trinitarian theology?
How does Dr. R.C. Sproul connect the sacrament of baptism to the concept of the New Covenant?
Why does Dr. John MacArthur describe the epistles as the "operational manual" for the church?
Learner Reflection Questions:
In what ways does your baptism serve as a daily reminder of your union with Christ?
The Meaning: This question invites you to think about your faith as a permanent state of being "grafted" into Jesus, rather than just an event that happened in the past.
How can you use the Epistles to better understand the practical side of being a disciple?
The Meaning: This question asks you to move beyond seeing the Bible only as theory and to start looking at it as a practical guide for how to live and serve today.
Why is the concept of "disciple" transitioning to "Christian" significant for your own identity?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to reflect on what your title as a "follower of Christ" actually requires of you in your everyday interactions.
Lens 7: The Final Verdict (The Calculated Reality)
Research Assignment Questions:
How do Dr. Darrell Bock and Dr. I. Howard Marshall use the literary unity of Luke-Acts to support their argument?
Why does Warren Wiersbe insist that the Great Commission is not an optional program for specialized groups?
According to Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones, what is the consequence of prioritizing traditionalism over apostolic power?
Learner Reflection Questions:
Is your church engagement an active mission or a spectator activity?
The Meaning: This question asks you to honestly evaluate whether you are just "watching" church happen or if you are actively participating in the mission of Jesus.
How does seeing the "big picture" of salvation history change how you view your own life story?
The Meaning: This question encourages you to see your life as a small but meaningful part of the much larger plan that God has been working out since the beginning.
How can you protect your service from becoming a routine of "empty forms" without spiritual life?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to focus on the heart and power behind your actions, ensuring that your religious habits are still fueled by a real relationship with God.
Lens 8: Best Practices (Discipleship Today)
Research Assignment Questions:
How does Dr. D.A. Carson define the relationship between the command to make disciples and the actions of going, baptizing, and teaching?
According to John Stott, what danger exists in separating accepting Christ as Savior from submitting to Him as Lord?
How do Warren Wiersbe and Dr. John MacArthur define a "disciple" in contrast to modern approaches to evangelism?
Learner Reflection Questions:
How can you shift your mindset from being a spectator in your faith to an active participant on the "frontline"?
The Meaning: This question asks you to examine your daily habits to see if you are just watching others live out their faith or if you are personally engaging in the mission.
Why is it significant that disciple-making is a shared duty for all believers, rather than a task reserved for "missionaries"?
The Meaning: This question helps you realize that you have a personal responsibility in the mission, rather than assuming it is someone else's job to share the gospel.
In what ways might "submission to Christ's ethical demands" challenge how you live your life at home or in the workplace?
The Meaning: This question challenges you to think about how your faith should change your actual behavior and choices in ordinary places, not just your beliefs on Sunday.