Once a week, Cindy and I lead out in a Bible study. The last time our small group met, we read Matthew 28:19, 20 and asked, “Who did Jesus give the Great Commission to?”

One person said it was only given to Jesus’ disciples, reasoning that, just as Isaiah, Jeremiah and John the Baptist gave their disciples special instructions, so too did Jesus give His disciples special instructions. Another person thought it was given only to church leaders across the centuries. Yet another thought that Jesus gave the Great Commission to all believers.

After much discussion, it was decided—by consensus, the Native way!—that the disciples of Jesus and all subsequent disciples were given the Great Commission to preach, teach and baptize. Our small group then decided that going to church did not automatically make someone a disciple of Christ, but that a disciple was someone who believes, imitates and devotedly practices what their Master teaches.

One group member said, “We are not doing our job! I was raised in this church and was taught that only the ordained clergy had the authority to preach, teach and baptize,” then added incredulously, “But the Bible says ALL DISCIPLES are given this command! We are not doing our job!”

The Holy Spirit is most certainly leading. Please pray for our Bible study friends as they study and wrestle with what the Bible teaches.

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