Current Volunteers

Leader Bible Study | God Wants Us to Know Him (Matthew 28)

Today’s passage from Matthew 28 is referred to as “The Great Commission.” We see here that the resurrected Jesus purposely brought His eleven disciples together to receive the invitation and instruction they would need to fulfill the Father’s will. God’s overall plan for His creation has always been that they would know Him and lead others to know Him, too.

What was the significance of Christ drawing near to them in this passage? Why does the Lord promise to be with them as He commissions them to teach the good news
to others?

Verse 18 tells us that, despite the disciples’ fear and doubt, the Lord chose to draw near to them. His words offered the encouragement and direction they needed to hear. The Word made flesh—Immanuel—draws near to His people, even amid their unworthiness. This is the essence of the gospel message, and it is the good news that sustained the church then and still
does today.

Jesus also knew the trials and persecution His disciples would face in the days to come. This is why He promised to never leave or forsake them, even when their situations seemed hopeless, disheartening, or dangerous. No matter what, until the end of the age, the Lord continues to remain near to His people.

Consider how the Great Commission began with Jesus declaring that all authority belongs to Him because He has perfectly completed the Father’s plan for salvation, accomplishing what we cannot. Then, reflect on the reality that Christ continues the call to create new disciples: to inform others of how they, too, may respond to this invitation to know Jesus for themselves. Christ—our perfect example, our God-made-flesh—has invited us into His story of redemption so we would guide others to Him as well.

Explain to kids that despite our fear and doubt, Christ extends the Great Commission to us and has given us the authority and power to share the good news with those around us. Our call to know Jesus was never meant to end with us, but to be extended to others.

DOCTRINE TO KNOW 

God is immanent: God is personable and relatable to those made in His image, while remaining completely distinct and unique from all of His creation.

Leader Bible Study | Jesus Gave His Followers a Mission (Acts 1)

Today’s passage is found in the first chapter of the book of Acts. Although Jesus’ time on earth was coming to an end, He promised to leave His followers with a special Helper and Guide. God fulfilled His promise to remain with us, and through the gift of the Holy Spirit, He also provided the power to accomplish the mission of His church.

What was Jesus’ overall mission for His church? Better yet, how were the apostles supposed to accomplish this feat in Christ’s absence?

Jesus’ departure meant great uncertainty for His people. He proclaimed the restoration of God’s kingdom, but His apostles could not seem to recognize His power at work. Though they requested a timeline for their troubles, the Lord directed their attention away from the passage of earthly time and instead toward the power of His Holy Spirit.

As He did with His early followers, the Lord has called us to be witnesses of His good news to the world. He may not give us the answer to every one of our questions, but He does give us the power of the Holy Spirit to proclaim His good news with our words and actions. From Judea to Samaria, near and far, there is no place His power and purpose cannot reach. Knowing we lack the ability to do His will on our own, He provided His Holy Spirit to aid us on this mission. Jesus even declared in John 16:7 that it is better that He leave us and grant us the Spirit’s power in His place.

As you lead kids this week, consider the truth that the Holy Spirit has already provided us the strength needed to witness to the next generation of Christ followers. While we may not understand His timing or plans, we can trust in His ability to provide what is needed to do His will. Help your class see that the Holy Spirit empowers us to face life’s uncertainties and to live on mission for His kingdom, leading others to place their trust in the God who provides all we need.

TERMS TO KNOW

Disciple: the Greek word mathēteuō means “to make a disciple; to teach, to instruct.” Jesus used this verb in Matthew 28:19.