Encounters with Jesus – Sunday

Go Out and Train

Scripture: Matthew 28:16-20 (The Message)                                                        

Meanwhile, the eleven disciples were on their way to Galilee, headed for the mountain Jesus had set for their reunion. The moment they saw him they worshiped him. Some, though, held back, not sure about worship, about risking themselves totally.

Jesus, undeterred, went right ahead and gave his charge: “God authorised and commanded me to commission you: Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in

the practice of all I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day after day, right up to the end of the age.”

Encounter with Jesus:

• What is going on in the passage?
• Take time to imagine you are there ‘in the story’ as it happens. What do you see, hear, smell? If you were one of the people in the passage, who would you be? Why?
• Still imagining you are there…
  • What question would you like to ask Jesus?
  • What was/is Jesus’ response?

Now, what does it mean for us?

I love the way that the Message translates this verse…’Go out and train’, and Jesus is quite clear that this is something that he expects His followers to do…even today. So, I guess the question for myself, and maybe to you is ‘Who am I training?’ In Niscu’s context this is children and young people, and we are always looking for churches to tell us what they are doing (and/or willing to do) with children and young people, which gives us the next step for pupils who choose to find out more. And finally…Always, in the back of my mind is that as we help children and young people ‘Encounter Jesus’, the promise is that He will be with us ‘day after day after day’.

To do today:

1. Thank God and pray for those who choose to train children and young people in your schools and church communities.
2. Is there anything that your church could do together to help the children and young people encounter Jesus in your community?
3. Pray that God would give you the strength today to do what you need to do, and the hope that you will see children and young people continue to find and grow in God in your community.

Did you know…?

Niscu has a downloadable resource ‘Your 4-18 community’ that asks questions to help you and your church consider how to build bridges with your 4-18 community. See www.niscu.org.uk/your-4-18-community for more information and support.