Commissioning is more than a command – it is a call to action
Commission is a word that has fallen on hard times. When business leaders hear the word, they think of financial kickbacks for making a sale. When military leaders hear the word, they think of a new assignment or new rank. When government leaders hear the word, they think of a group of people given a specific task. But when church leaders hear the word, they think of the command of Jesus to make disciples.
We call this the “Great Commission” found in (Matthew 28.18-20 ESV). By definition, to commission someone is to give that person an “instruction, command or duty”. A commission implies action. The one commissioned is to do something; accomplish something. If you are investing in people, one of the ways you motivate them to action is to commission them. Jesus regularly commissioned His men into action. In (Matthew 10.1 NLT), we read, “Jesus called his twelve disciples together and gave them authority to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of disease and illness.” After 18 months of watching Jesus, six months of shadowing Jesus, and about five months of being trained by Jesus, they were ready to be deployed into action. Jesus sent the 12 out, and He gave specific instructions on their assignment.
Jesus gave His disciples clear instructions before sending them out
In (Matthew 10.2-4 ESV), we read about who should go. He paired them up, two by two, and sent them out to preach. (If you are interested in how the twelve disciples were paired up, read these verses.) Guess who got stuck with judas? Then Jesus told them where they should go – to the jewish villages and settlements throughout Israel (Matthew 10.5-6 ESV).
Jesus also gave them instructions on how they should go – no money, no extra change of clothes and go in faith, trusting God to provide for your needs (Matthew 10.9-15 ESV). As they went, Jesus made it clear what they should expect – resistance, persecution, the power of the Spirit and the peace of God (Matthew 10.16-31 ESV). As you read this section, it’s obvious that Jesus was the master vision caster and motivator. Jesus knew how to commission His men and move them into action. Like a commander-in-chief deploying an army into battle, Jesus deployed His disciples into the field of spiritual battle where lives and eternities hung in the balance.
A personal commission can change the direction of a life
There is something powerful about a commission. I will never forget when a small church in Texas commissioned me to the Gospel ministry. It was my last year of college, and God had been working in my heart for over a year, turning me from pursuing a career in law to pastoring and shepherding God’s people. One night, His voice was undeniable. “Craig, do you love me?” “Yes Lord, you know I love you,” I replied. “Then feed my sheep…shepherd my lambs.” My eyes filled with tears. I heard God loud and clear.
Over the next few months, leaders in this church confirmed this call to ministry. They laid their hands on me and prayed for me, and then they sent me out to do what God had called me to do. This is similar to what happened to Paul and Barnabas when the Spirit of the Lord spoke through the leadership at Antioch to send them out on their first missionary journey (Acts 13.1-3 ESV). There is something powerful about hearing from God, and having people around you confirm it as they pray for you as you go to do what He has called you to do.
Every believer is called to live commissioned
Commissioning is not just for pastors and missionaries. We all need to be commissioned. We all need to be deployed out into our offices, neighborhoods, friendships and schools to shine His light in a dark world. When a person knows who they are, where they are going, how they are to obey Jesus, and what they should expect, they are empowered to make a difference. As you pour your life into those in your “Grow Group”, it is important at the close of every session to commission your disciples into the week.
Jesus modeled what effective commissioning looks like
So what does a group commissioning look like? Let’s look back to Jesus’ example. Jesus clarified what He wanted His disciples to do. There was no confusion. So, it’s important that you help each person in your “Grow Group” clarify what is the one thing God has put on their heart that He wants them to do this coming week. At the end of each session, have each member of your group craft their own “I Will” statement, articulating their act of obedience for the coming week, based on what they have learned.
This is what the Spirit of God has put on their heart that He wants them to do. Jesus also made His assignments public. He never commissioned anyone in secret. The whole group knew what they were doing and why. So it’s good to share those “I Will” statements with the group. As the group shares their “I Will” statements, it gives the whole group an opportunity to pray for and encourage each other throughout the week. It also provides a level of accountability to the group to be faithful to what God has called them to do.
Prayer empowers people to walk in obedience
Finally, pray together. (Matthew 11.1 ESV) says, “And it came about that when Jesus had finished giving instructions to His twelve disciples, He departed from there to teach and preach in their cities.” We are not told that Jesus prayed over them in this passage, but I’m sure there was prayer as they headed out the door. Over the years, it has been my practice to ask every person in the group to kneel beside their chair. Kneeling is a posture of humility. I picture the knights of old, kneeling before the king as they were commissioned into battle. The king would take a sword and touch each shoulder, symbolizing that the soldier is now dead to his own desires and now, only lives for his king. Kneeling together, lead your group in prayer for each other. Pray that God will fill them with His Spirit and empower them to be fully obedient to do what He has called them to do.
This blog features an excerpt from one of our books, Invest In A Few.
