Can you remember the last time you were given a “to do” list? Maybe your parents left the house to run some errands, and they gave you a list of chores to complete before they returned. Maybe your teacher or employer presented you with a project to complete by a prescribed deadline. Maybe your wife handed you a “honey do” list that she wanted you to complete before that big event you were scheduled to host in your home. Regardless of which form it takes, all “to do” lists inherently come with an expectation of fulfillment, and failure to complete the assignment by the deadline would result in disappointment at best and consequences at worst.
Before Jesus returned to heaven, He left an assignment for His followers. We often refer to it as the Great Commission. This one assignment consists of five distinct commands that are stated in either Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15-16, Luke 24:44-49, or Acts 1:7-8. This series of articles will examine each of these commands so that we can obtain a clearer understanding of what God expects us to do when it comes to sharing our faith.