Scripture Guide

Global Missions Weekend 2026

Series Resources
THIS WEEK’S SCRIPTURE:

“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go 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 I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’”—Matthew 28:18-20 (NIV)

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”—Acts 1:8 (NIV)

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.”—Habakkuk 2:14 (NIV)

Have you ever listened to worship music from other cultures or in another language? Perhaps you’ve been part of a worship service where there’s other cultures and languages represented, or you’ve even experienced it in another country yourself. It’s an incredible experience because of the beauty found in the diversity. Other cultures have different ways of worshiping, from the actual language differences to the various sounds, instruments, melodies, and movements. It’s also humbling to recognize that God can be worshiped outside of your “norm.” He reigns above every culture and calls people from every place to be part of His family.

This is what missions has always been about. The last thing Jesus tells His disciples before ascending into heaven is a command to go make disciples of all nations. Matthew writes it in his gospel and includes four “Alls.”

  • Jesus claims to have ALL authority.
  • Jesus commands that disciples be made of ALL nations.
  • Jesus instructs them to teach people ALL the things He’s commanded.
  • Jesus promises to ALWAYS be with them.

Because of Jesus’ all-encompassing power, all-inclusive reach, completely-sufficient teaching, and promised presence in every moment, we can pursue living on mission without fear and without excuse! 

In Luke’s reference of this exact moment, which he writes in Acts 1:8, he also gives an interesting list of closest proximity to the furthest. 

  • Jerusalem = your city
  • Judea = your region and culture
  • Samaria = the uncomfortable or unknown cultures in your region
  • The ends of the earth = places you’ve never been to

We have a responsibility and an honor to take the hope of Jesus everywhere! But what does this look like? What does it mean to live on mission?

Consider if you’ve ever had two people from different parts of your life meet. You knew they’d be great friends, and you love them both deeply. You can’t wait to introduce them to each other because you know they’ll love each other. Suddenly, you’re all friends and a beautiful bridge is formed! Your love for both people is what motivated you to connect them. This is what we must pray for when seeking to live on mission: a deeper love for Jesus as Lord and a deeper love for people in the world. 

When you think about God’s beauty and glory, His faithfulness and steadfast love, His grace and mercy, His trustworthiness, His goodness, and all the other things you love about Him, it should swell your heart with joy and affection. When you think about the way He’s changed your life and how He’s worthy of worship, it should also fuel a desire and passion in you to invite others into that same relationship! The word “should” is important though, because it doesn’t always happen this easily. On our own, a deeper love for Jesus and people can only go so far. We need Jesus Himself to transform our hearts, rearrange our loves, improve our desires, and expand our capacities. We need to ask Him for this in prayer. 

To be missional is to live with an eternal purpose and perspective in mind that motivates you to love people well, share Jesus with them, care about their cares, show up in their pain and needs, and be a true ambassador of Jesus and His kingdom here on earth. It requires sacrifice, courage, and commitment, and it can only come from walking with Jesus daily and asking Him to give you His heart for others.

Read this week’s Scripture in addition to these supporting Scriptures: Isaiah 49:6; Luke 10:2; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21; Revelation 7:9-10

Study Questions:

  • Look at Matthew 28:18–20. What does Jesus say about His authority, His mission, His teaching, and His presence? How do each of these truths give us confidence to make disciples?
  • In Acts 1:8, Jesus describes His followers as His “witnesses.” What do you think it means to be a witness for Jesus? How is being a witness different from simply knowing information about Him?
  • Compare Acts 1:8 with Isaiah 49:6. What do you notice about God’s desire for His salvation to reach beyond one people group or place? What does this reveal about God’s heart for the world?
  • Read 2 Corinthians 5:16–21. What has God done to reconcile us to Himself through Jesus, and what responsibility does He give us as a result? What do you think it means to be an “ambassador for Christ”?
  • Revelation 7:9–10 gives us a picture of people from every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping Jesus. Why do you think this vision is important to carry with us? What does it teach you about God?

Meditate on this week’s passage and ask yourself these questions.

  • What stuck out to me through this passage? 
  • What’s God showing me?
  • What truth can I take with me into today?

God’s Word invites transformation. Today’s about putting what you’ve learned into practice.

  • Based on what I just learned about God, what habits, attitudes, or changes do I need to make?
  • What can I take away from this passage and apply to my life?
  • What or who are my “Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth”? Where might He be inviting me to become more intentional about loving, serving, or sharing Jesus with someone?
  • What most often keeps me from living on mission—fear, comfort, busyness, uncertainty, or something else? How can Jesus’ authority, the Spirit’s power, and His promised presence give me the confidence to take a step of faith?

Application Challenge: 

Pray, notice, and take one step. Ask God each day this week to deepen your love for Him and give you His heart for the people around you. Pay attention to someone He places in your path, then take one intentional step to love, serve, encourage, or share Jesus with them. Being on mission doesn’t always begin by going somewhere new. Sometimes, it begins by seeing the people God has already placed right in front of you.

Scripture to Pray:

“May God be gracious to us and bless us
    and make his face shine on us—
so that your ways may be known on earth,
    your salvation among all nations.

May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.
May the nations be glad and sing for joy,
    for you rule the peoples with equity
    and guide the nations of the earth.
May the peoples praise you, God;
    may all the peoples praise you.”—Psalm 67:1-5 (NIV)

Guided Prayer:

Father, your heart has always been for the nations to know You, see Your glory, and be drawn to worship! You’re building a diverse and beautiful family, and You’ve invited me to be part of that process. I ask You to deepen my love for You and for people. I want to see people fall in love with You, be changed by You, and worship You. Show me how to live on mission everywhere I go and how to reflect You to everyone I meet. Give me courage, boldness, wisdom, and sacrificial love. Jesus, you said the harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. I pray You’ll equip me as a laborer and send many other laborers out from Your church to the ends of the earth. I pray this in Your powerful, merciful, and beautiful name, amen.

Looking back on this week’s Scripture, remember Jesus calls and empowers us to make disciples everywhere, sharing His heart for all people so every nation can know and worship Him.

  • What’s one way I can enjoy God’s presence through rest, relationship, or serving others? 
  • What blessings can I thank God for as I reflect on this week? 

This weekend, set aside intentional time to go to church, do something you love with Jesus, and connect with others.

Group Discussion Guide:

Pick your favorites to discuss with your group, family, or friends.

  • What stood out to you most as you studied these passages this week? What did you learn about God’s heart for the world?
  • Jesus tells His followers to make disciples of “all nations.” How does Revelation’s picture of every nation, tribe, people, and language worshiping Jesus help you understand the bigger purpose of the Great Commission?
  • Acts 1:8 describes the mission moving from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. What might those different places represent in your own life today?
  • What do you think it practically means to live as a “witness” or “ambassador” for Jesus in your everyday relationships—not just on a mission trip or in a ministry setting?
  • What tends to keep you from living on mission—fear, comfort, busyness, lack of love, feeling unprepared, or something else? How does Jesus’ authority, His presence, and the power of the Holy Spirit speak to those barriers?
  • Who has God already placed in your life that you could intentionally love, serve, or point toward Jesus? What’s one practical step you could take this week?
Group Leader Resources