Matthew 28:18-20
“Jesus came and said to them, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'”
Main Idea
God doesn’t just want us to believe in Him—He wants us to GO and tell others about Him! From the very beginning, God has been sending His people on missions. He sent Abraham to a new land, Moses to Egypt, and Philip down a desert road. Now He sends us!
Parent Kickoff (Acts 8:26-40)
Philip was having an amazing time in Samaria—lots of people were becoming Christians! But then God said something surprising: “Philip, leave all this success and go to a desert road.”
That must have seemed strange! But Philip obeyed. He got up and went.
On that lonely road, Philip met an important man from Ethiopia reading the Bible in his chariot. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you’re reading?” The man said, “How can I, unless someone explains it to me?”
So Philip climbed into the chariot and told him all about Jesus! The Ethiopian believed and was baptized right there. Then Philip disappeared, and the man went home to Africa—probably telling everyone about Jesus!
Philip didn’t know why God sent him to that desert road, but he trusted and went anyway. And because he did, the gospel spread to a whole new continent!
Discussion Questions
For Younger Kids
1) Where did God send Philip?
2) Was Philip scared or did he obey God?
3) Who can you tell about Jesus this week?
For Older Kids
1) Why do you think God told Philip to leave a successful ministry in Samaria to go to an empty desert road?
2) Philip didn’t know what would happen when he went. What are some things that might make it hard for you to obey when God asks you to do something?
3) The sermon mentioned that Philip “embraced the awkward” by starting a spiritual conversation. When have you felt awkward talking about God? What could help you be braver?
Challenge: This week, pray this prayer daily: “God, would you create opportunities for me to talk about you, and would you give me the courage to take those opportunities?”
For Teens
1) The sermon said “biblical faith is never just staying still—it’s always going.” How does that challenge the way you think about your relationship with God?
2) Philip had to cross cultural and spiritual boundaries to reach the Ethiopian. What cultural or spiritual boundaries might God be calling you to cross—either locally or globally?
3) The sermon emphasized “trusting God with the results” rather than having a performance-driven faith. How does that take pressure off when it comes to sharing your faith?
4) Romans 10:14-15 asks, “How will they hear without a preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent?” Who in your life needs to hear about Jesus? What’s one practical step you could take this week?
Challenge: Consider these questions seriously:
- Am I willing to be used by God?
- Where is God calling me to go—this week, this year, in my future?
- What fears or comforts am I holding onto that keep me from going?
Family Challenge
Choose ONE as a family:
- Pray for a specific place: Pick a country or people group and pray for them together each night this week. Learn one fact about them each day.
- Go together locally: Serve at a local ministry as a family this month—homeless shelter, food bank, or neighborhood outreach.
- Support a missionary: As a family, commit to praying for and financially supporting a global worker. (Check out 121’s missions opportunities at 121cc.com)
- Practice “embracing the awkward”: Each family member commits to having one spiritual conversation this week with someone outside your family.
Pray
“Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to us. Now you’re sending us into the world. Help our family to love you with all our hearts and love our neighbors as ourselves. Give us courage to go where you send us, trusting that you are always with us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”
Memory Verse
Matthew 28:19-20a “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations… And behold, I am with you always.”
