Jesus gave His followers the Great Commission, in Matt. 28:18-20, saying, “18...All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age." This same command is paralleled in Mk. 16:15, Lk. 24:45-49 and Acts 1:8. This is arguably Christ’s third greatest commandment, superseded only by the first and second greatest commandments in Mk. 12:29-31. This injunction involves boldly sharing the gospel globally, winning people from “every tribe and tongue and people and nation” (Rev. 5:9) to Him. It also includes discipling those who come to faith in Him so that they will be equipped to obey all He taught, including the command to fulfill His Great Commission. This is what has been called spiritual multiplication. As you multiply multiplying disciples, the world will be reached for Jesus! The Body of Christ stands poised to fulfill His Great Commission and today is likely the first time in history that this goal has been practically achievable. Growth in transportation, communication and other technologies, coupled with globalization that has opened previously closed areas, have left the world more reachable than it has ever been. God is moving! Over 260,000 people hear the gospel and more than 174,000 trust Christ worldwide every single day (including 34,000 in South America, over 30,000 in China and 25,000 in Africa every single day (1). There are even 16,000 people coming to Christ each day in Muslim countries around the world (2)! That is exciting but there is still so much to do. That is where you come in. The Great Commission is the most visionary charge ever given by any leader in history. Unfortunately, Christ’s followers have turned the Great Commission into what Dallas Willard calls the “Great Omission.”3 The Great Commission will not be completed until every believer steps out in obedience, living out the Great Commission purpose God created them for. You are privileged to live in these exciting times and we hope the Great Commission will be fulfilled in your lifetime and with your involvement! That is where this book comes in. This workbook is designed to help you become the Great Commission Leader God designed you to be, so that you will be trained and resourced to help fulfill the Great Commission.
(1) The Traveling Team, “Growth of the Church,” http://www.thetravelingteam.org/node/192 (Accessed January 31, 2013).
(2) slam Watch, “Islam Under Scrutiny by Ex-Muslims,” http://www.islam-watch.org/LeavingIslam/Muslims2Christianity.htm (Accessed Jan 31, 2013).
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