Over the last seven weeks, we've been learning simple rhythms that help us abide in Jesus. We find our home in Him, hear His voice through Scripture, talk with Him through prayer, hunger for Him through fasting, give Him our first and best, gather with His people, and remember what He has done for us.
But there's one more rhythm that Jesus calls every disciple to practice.
We GO.
After His resurrection, Jesus gathered His disciples and gave them a mission:
“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.” — Matthew 28:19–20
Notice that Jesus didn't simply command His followers to believe in Him, learn about Him, or enjoy fellowship with Him. He commanded them to make disciples. In other words, following Jesus means helping others follow Jesus.
And this is where everything we've been learning comes together. Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.” — John 15:8
A branch that abides in the Vine will bear fruit. In the same way, a person that knows Jesus should increasingly become someone that makes Jesus known. We don't abide in Jesus merely to become better versions of ourselves. We abide in Jesus so that His life bears fruit through ours.
And here's the beautiful thing about the Great Commission: Jesus doesn't send us out on our own with a goodbye handshake and a good luck wish.
Before He commands us to go, He declares, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.” And after He commands us to go, He promises, “And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:18, 20)
The mission begins with His power and is sustained by His presence. That means you don't have to be a pastor, missionary, or Bible scholar to help someone follow Jesus. You simply need to be a disciple who is willing to make disciples with the power and presence of Jesus.
You can share the gospel with a neighbor. Invite a coworker to church. Pray with a friend. Open the Bible with someone who is curious about Jesus (start in John). Encourage a struggling believer. Welcome someone into your home. Invest in a younger Christian.
This is why our mission at The District Church is so important: We exist to treasure Jesus and help others follow Him.
Those aren't two competing priorities. They're two inseparable parts of the Christian life. The more we treasure Jesus, the more we should desire for others to treasure Him too.
This week: Identify three people you know who you can begin praying for regularly to follow Jesus. Then identify one of them whom God may be calling you to help follow Jesus. Write down their name. Then take one intentional step toward them. Invite them to coffee, share your story of how you began following Jesus, open Scripture together (start in John), invite them to church, or simply begin a spiritual conversation by asking how you can be praying for them specifically.
Don't wait until you feel completely equipped. Jesus has already given you His Word, His Spirit, His people, and His promise to be with you.
Pray this simple prayer:
“Jesus, thank You for calling me to follow You. Open my eyes to the people around me who need You, give me courage to share Your gospel, and use my life to help others follow You.”
Don't just treasure Jesus for yourself. GO help others follow Him.