Kernan Community Groups
Sermon Discussion Guide
July 26, 2026
Matthew: The Great Commission
Matthew 28
Have you ever found yourself in a situation where you didn’t fully understand the rules or what was going on? How did you navigate that situation? How did it end?
Matthew 28:16-18
[16] Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. [17] And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted. [18] And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.
1. The Purpose of the World
Genesis 1:1
[1] In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.
What is the most beautiful, awe-inspiring sight you’ve seen in nature?
Genesis 1:26-28
[26] Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”
[27] So God created man in his own image,
in the image of God he created him;
male and female he created them.
[28] And God blessed them. And God said to them, “Be fruitful and multiply and fill the earth and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over every living thing that moves on the earth.”
What makes humanity the pinnacle of God’s creation?
How does knowing this make you feel?
2. The Redemption of the World
What are some examples of this? What do we see and experience because of their rebellion?
Matthew 1:21-23
[21] She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins.” [22] All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had spoken by the prophet:
[23] “Behold, the virgin shall conceive and bear a son,
and they shall call his name Immanuel”
(which means, God with us).
Acts 1:9-11
[9] And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight. [10] And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, [11] and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.”
3. The Culmination of the World
Revelation 7:9-12
[9] After this I looked, and behold, a great multitude that no one could number, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed in white robes, with palm branches in their hands, [10] and crying out with a loud voice, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” [11] And all the angels were standing around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshiped God, [12] saying, “Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”
Matthew 28:19-20
[19] 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, [20] teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
“It is the task of the visible church to make the invisible kingdom of Christ visible, to manifest to people what it would be like to live in a commonwealth ruled by Jesus.” -John Calvin
How does it make you feel to be entrusted with this task?
Fulfilling the Great Commission
1. “Go” - Engage with Non-Christians
2. “Baptize” - Lead others to Christ and His Church
3. “Teach” - Grow in Spiritual Maturity along the Discipleship Pathway
How are you being intentional about engaging with non-Christians?
What can we do to be prepared to lead others to Christ and His Church?
How can you continue to grow in Spiritual Maturity and participate in Kernan’s Discipleship Pathway?
