A theological reflection on Christ’s commission to teach in today’s context

Abstract

This study attempts to describe and analyze the biblical meaning of Christ’s Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) to teach and its theological implications in today’s context. Specifically, this study has resolved the following questions: 1) What is the original meaning of the Great Commission and Great Commission to Teach? 2) What are the underlying principles of teachings on the basis of Great Commission? 3) What are the implications of Matthew 28:19-20 today? 4) What is the significance of Christ’s Commission to Teach to the Educational Ministry of the Church today? In this study, the process of interpretation takes into consideration the background and the analytical study of the biblical text itself using exegesis as a method. The findings of this study are the following: 1) The great commission as stated in Matthew 28:18 - 20 came from Jesus Christ. It contains the command of Jesus to His followers to go and teach people to become His disciples. 2) The principles of teachings based on the great commission of Jesus include the following: a) teaching with a clear vision in mind; b) helping persons to learn how to become good disciples of Christ; c) teaching others how to make disciples for Christ; and, d) sharing the message of Christ as a way of life. 3) Theologically, Matthew 28:18 - 20 today implies that Christians are called to teach others to become good disciples of Jesus. This teaching task is a mandate from Jesus to all His disciples to do. Second, to perpetuate the message of Jesus Christ and His mandate to make disciples, Christians today should be involved in the teaching ministry especially in the area of making disciples. It is expected that those disciples will share the message of Christ to others to insure the continuity of the Christian message. Finally, teaching is not only a task to be carried out but a lifestyle to be developed. Teaching to make disciples for Christ then is a way of life. 4) Christ’s Commission to Teach to the Educational Ministry of the Church today is significant. Christ’s commission to teach is and should be the basis in making educational curriculum and in planning for the educational ministry of the church. Based on the above findings, this study recommends the following: 1) The church should critically review Christ’s commission to teach in order that the real meaning of this commission cannot be neglected but instead incorporated in the curriculum for Christian education of the church. 2) The traditional understanding of the church that the task of teaching is only for pastors and teachers should be evaluated. Based on Christ’s commission, teaching is the task of every Christian not of the chosen few. Therefore, it is necessary that the church should create an environment wherein individual members can be given a chance to be trained as a Christian educator.