I typed into the AI feature on my website, “Ask Pat”: What is the Great Commission? Here’s the answer it gave based on my writing and teaching:

“The Great Commission is a powerful directive given by Jesus to His disciples, and it remains central to the mission of the Christian church today. Found in Matthew 28:18-20, it reads: ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’

“This passage encapsulates the essence of Christian service and mission. It’s about going out into the world, sharing the message of Jesus, and helping others grow in their faith. It’s a call to action that involves evangelism, teaching, and nurturing spiritual maturity.

“The Great Commission is not just a task but an invitation to live a life that impacts eternity by helping others find and follow Jesus. Imagine a scenario where you’re at a local coffee shop and strike up a conversation with someone who seems curious about faith. This is an opportunity to live out the Great Commission in a simple, everyday encounter. By sharing your own experiences and the love of Christ, you can plant seeds that may grow into a deeper relationship with God for that person.”

The truth is if it had not been for several men who took Jesus’ last words to “go and make disciples” seriously, I probably wouldn’t be writing to you now. And I definitely wouldn’t have built an AI chatbot to help men wrestle with their deepest spiritual questions.

Thank God those words of Jesus did enflame the imaginations of the men who first discipled me—Jim, Hugh, HO, Bob, and Ken—just as those words continue to inspire countless men and women to believe their lives can count and make an eternal difference. In fact, more millions of people and more billions of dollars have been mobilized by the Great Commission than any other speech in recorded history. It’s no wonder it’s #31 on my alphabetical list of 70 things every man needs to know

Matthew 28:18-20 forms the most compact distillation of the Christian mission ever uttered. The final marching orders from Jesus were, “Go and make disciples.” And those orders still stand today. They have not been amended, altered, or rescinded. The central mission of the Church—of every one of us who belong to Him—is to make disciples. We are not only called to follow; we are called to multiply.

Men, it’s all there. Authority. Challenge. Mission. Adventure. Power. Direction. Purpose. Comfort. Eternal security. It is our mission. And it is great. It’s not vague or mystical—it’s deeply practical. We need to be and help others become disciples of Jesus.

As Paul instructed Timothy: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

Are you investing in men who will invest in other men?

Because the Great Commission is not just for pastors. It’s not just for missionaries. It’s for all of us.

P.S. If you’d like help figuring out how to disciple someone—or want to be discipled yourself—reply to this email. I’m here to help.

Questions for reflection and discussion: 

1. Reflective: Who first took the time to disciple you? What difference has that made in your life?
2. Knowledge-based: What elements of the Great Commission do you tend to overlook (e.g., teaching obedience, reliance on Jesus’ presence), and why are they important?
3. Application-oriented: Is there a man in your life right now in whom you could begin intentionally investing with the goal of discipleship? What’s your next step?