October 19, 2025
Teacher: Paul Mermilliod
BIG TRUTH:
JESUS FOLLOWERS GO MAKE DISCIPLES
Matthew 28:18-20
And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. [19] 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, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Big Idea:
We go make disciples because Jesus is alive!
Luke 24:46-48
“Thus it is written, that the Christ should suffer and on the third day rise from the dead, [47] and that repentance for the forgiveness of sins should be proclaimed in his name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. [48] You are witnesses of these things.
Acts 2:29-32
“Brothers, I may say to you with confidence about the patriarch David that he both died and was buried, and his tomb is with us to this day. [30] Being therefore a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him that he would set one of his descendants on his throne, [31] he foresaw and spoke about the resurrection of the Christ, that he was not abandoned to Hades, nor did his flesh see corruption. [32] This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses.
1 Corinthians 15:14, 17, 20-22
If Christ has not been raised, then our preaching is in vain and your faith is in vain… [17] And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile and you are still in your sins… [20] But in fact Christ has been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. [21] For as by a man came death, by a man has come also the resurrection of the dead. [22] For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive.
Big Idea:
We go in the power of the Holy Spirit.
- The Holy Spirit is God.
- The Holy Spirit is the presence of God alive in us.
- The Holy Spirit is the power of God alive in us.
Luke 24:49
And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you…
Acts 9:31
So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria had peace and was being built up. And walking in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it multiplied.
Big Idea:
We go as witnesses of Jesus.
Acts 1:8
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Big Idea:
We go as witnesses of Jesus.
- Witnesses speak the gospel.
Acts 2:32, 40
This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses… [40] And with many other words he bore witness and continued to exhort them, saying, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation.”
Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Discipleship Resource: Sharing the gospel in everyday life.
Big Idea:
We go as witnesses of Jesus.
- Witnesses speak the gospel.
- Witnesses live by faith.
James 2:14, 18-19, 26
[14] What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?… [18] But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. [19] You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!… as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.
Acts 2:45
And they were selling their possessions and belongings and distributing the proceeds to all, as any had need.
Discipleship Resource: Do you believe?
Big Idea:
We go as witnesses of Jesus.
- Witnesses speak the gospel.
- Witnesses live by faith.
- Witnesses walk in submission to God’s Word.
Acts 2:42, 46
And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching… And day by day, attending the temple together…
James 1:22
But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves… [25] But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.
Big Idea: We go enduring trial and suffering.
James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, [3] for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. [4] And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing… [12] Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.
Discipleship Resource: Building steadfast hope in Jesus.
Big Idea:
We go prayerfully.
Acts 1:14, 2:42
All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer… And they devoted themselves to… prayers.
Acts 4:31
And when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and continued to speak the word of God with boldness.
Acts 13:3
Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.
Discipleship Resource: Praying Scripture
James 1:5-6
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. [6] But let him ask in faith, with no doubting…
James 5:16
Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.
Big Idea: We go joyfully.
Luke 24:52-53
And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy, [53] and were continually in the temple blessing God.
Acts 8:8, 13:52
So there was much joy in that city… [52] And the disciples were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Acts 5:40-41
and when they had called in the apostles, they beat them and charged them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. [41] Then they left the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name.
James 1:2
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds…
James 1:17-18
Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. [18] Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
Talk About It
- What does it mean to be Jesus’ “witnesses”? (Acts 1:8)
- Why is enduring hardship and trial essential to being a Jesus follower?
- What is a personal next step of growth and obedience as a disciple maker of Jesus?
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