Many of us have strayed far from Jesus’ Great Commission—if we even know what it is! Needless to say, the road to discipleship needs repair.

Perhaps our navigation system is broken, or we forgot where we are headed in the first place. Maybe we were pointed in the wrong direction entirely and wonder why we seem to be circling the same old relational landmarks of relationship problems and sin habits. Continuing the way we’ve been going and expecting to arrive at a different destination is, in a word, nuts.

Jesus’ command to make disciples doesn’t require higher math or years of advanced study. Being no fan of arithmetic, I’m thankful He solved the “discipleship equation” so simply that even a young child can follow. In Matthew 28:19-20, He adds up the three essential parts for us:

Small groups can be a source of life, growth, and grace. So why do so many pastors have gripes about the development of small group ministry in their church? Honestly, there are a lot of reasons.

Eternity starts here and now! Don’t miss it. Grace is so much more than unmerited favor. To receive the grace of God through Jesus means accepting that God has a boundless capacity of relational grace toward us as well as toward every other person we meet (and we all know we all need it!). Do you have a habit of looking at other people through this sort of generous, grace-based lens? Because of His capacity, God can honestly see each person as his most special and favorite, times infinity. No limits. Maybe we need new glasses?

God’s grace empowers us to sit quietly with ourselves and one another, so we become brave enough to be seen out in the open. Wild things that we are, if you and I love one another—in good times and bad, through best behavior and our foibles—you and I will demonstrate his faithful presence as well as our own.