“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, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you.  And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”  Matthew 28:20 

For many this passage conjures up the image of Jesus sending out his eleven closest students to continue the work and ministry that he had begun while on earth.  But, this passage is not limited to that particular time and place.  It is also Jesus speaking to you and me, his disciples today. 

The word disciple means student or learner.  James, Peter, John, Judas, Barthlomew, Matthew and the other six were students of Jesus.  They traveled with Jesus, sat and listened to his teachings, shared meals, and learned from the daily life lessons that Jesus shared with them.  In this passage, the resurrected Christ has come to the original disciples and is sending them forth with a specific task – to become teachers and to teach others everything that Jesus had first taught them.  Jesus’ first disciples were learners, and now Jesus is sending them forth to be teachers throughout the entire world.

We, too, are disciples of Jesus.  We are commanded by Christ to spend time learning and discerning what it means to be a people that bear the name of Christ.  We, too, are invited to journey with Jesus as he preaches on the lakeside, chastises those that see themselves as the “powerful” in society, appears to those who persecute his followers, and shares a meal with the least of these in our world.  As learners of Christ, we are asked to put ourselves in places where Jesus’ teachings and insights could be revealed to us through the power of His Spirit. 

At Galloway we are fortunate to offer many opportunities to grow as disciples of Jesus Christ.  There are thirteen different Sunday school classes, numerous small groups that gather throughout the week for prayer, study and service, Disciple Bible Study, the Wednesdays at Galloway teaching series, United Methodist Women circles and a host of short term study groups that meet throughout the year.  The question is: are you putting yourself in places where God’s Spirit can teach you all that Christ has commanded us? 

For more information regarding our Adult Ministries contact Frenchye Magee by calling her at 601-353-9691 or JShelton@gallowayumc.org.