Have We Misunderstood the Great Commission?

Matthew 28:19–20 (AMP):
“Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age.”

This was Jesus’ command to His followers: make disciples. And in the early church, that’s exactly what they did. They traveled, preached the good news, baptized new believers, and taught them to live rightly before God.

Fast forward to today, and the landscape looks quite different. In many churches, especially during major events, there seems to be one main objective: Invite people to church. Let’s love the lost!

The congregation is mobilized, marketing ramps up, and everything points to one goal getting people through the doors. When people do show up, they’re welcomed, connected, and often begin a personal relationship with Jesus. Churches offer discipleship courses and programs to help people grow and eventually serve within the church. It’s a well-organized system practical and purposeful.

But here’s the question: What if we’ve misunderstood the core of Jesus’ command?

I've been a faithful church attendee for years, moving through different communities. Yet, in all that time, I can’t confidently say I’ve truly been a disciple of Jesus. Sure, I could invite people to church, but my life wasn’t a reflection of God’s transforming power.

2 Corinthians 3:2–3 (NIV):
“You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, known and read by everyone. You show that you are a letter from Christ, the result of our ministry written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.”

We often equate inviting people to church with fulfilling the Great Commission, but Jesus didn’t ask us to grow attendance. He asked us to model Him. When our lives are filled with the Spirit and bear His fruit, people are drawn to the God we serve not just the church we attend.

Bringing someone to church is a good step, but it must be followed with intentional, Spirit-led discipleship. We can’t assume that just because someone is in a care group or attending services regularly, they’re growing in Christ. Real spiritual growth only happens through consistent, personal encounters with God.