Go Therefore: Teaching the Heart of the Great Commission
The final words Jesus spoke before ascending to heaven weren't suggestions—they were marching orders: "Go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Yet for many Christian families, world missions remains an abstract concept—something missionaries do "over there" rather than a calling that shapes everyday faith. Dedicating a month to missions emphasis changes that, transforming global evangelization from distant idea to personal passion.
"And Jesus came and said to them, 'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 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, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.'" - Matthew 28:18-20 (ESV)
Whether you choose January (many churches emphasize missions early in the year), October (mission focus month for many denominations), or any other month, a concentrated missions emphasis opens children's eyes to God's heart for the world, develops compassion for unreached peoples, and cultivates lifelong mission-mindedness. This isn't about producing guilt or merely raising money—it's about helping children see themselves as part of God's global story.
Understanding Missions: Biblical Foundation
Teaching the Great Commission by Age
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5):
- •"Jesus loves all the children in the whole world"
- •"Some people don't know about Jesus yet, so we tell them"
- •"We can help missionaries by praying and giving"
- •Simple: "Jesus said to tell everyone about Him"
Elementary (Ages 5-11):
- •"Jesus told His followers to go to every country and teach people about Him"
- •"Missionaries are people who go to other places to share the gospel"
- •"Not everyone has heard about Jesus—billions of people don't know Him yet"
- •"God wants everyone to have a chance to hear about Jesus and be saved"
- •"We're all called to missions—some go, some send, some pray, but everyone participates"
Preteens and Teens (Ages 11-18):
- •Study the Great Commission passages in all four Gospels plus Acts
- •Explore what "all nations" (Greek: panta ta ethne) really means—all people groups
- •Understand unreached people groups and the 10/40 Window
- •Discuss different missionary roles (church planting, Bible translation, medical missions, etc.)
- •Consider: "How might God be calling me to participate in the Great Commission?"
Key Missions Scriptures
- •Matthew 28:18-20: The Great Commission
- •Mark 16:15: "Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel"
- •Luke 24:46-47: Repentance and forgiveness preached to all nations
- •John 20:21: "As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you"
- •Acts 1:8: Witnesses to the ends of the earth
- •Romans 10:14-15: How can they hear without someone preaching?
- •Revelation 7:9-10: People from every nation worshiping together
Week-by-Week Missions Month Plan
Week 1: God's Heart for the Nations
#### Theme:
Understanding that missions is God's idea, rooted in His love for all people.
#### Scripture Focus:
- •Genesis 12:1-3 (God's promise to Abraham—all nations blessed)
- •John 3:16 ("God so loved the WORLD")
- •Revelation 7:9-10 (Vision of all nations worshiping)
#### Activities:
- •Create a world map showing continents and countries
- •Research how many people in the world don't know Jesus
- •Pray for different continents each day
- •Watch videos about unreached people groups
- •Discuss: "Why does God want everyone to hear about Jesus?"
Week 2: Missionaries Past and Present
#### Theme:
Learning from missionaries throughout history and today.
#### Scripture Focus:
- •Acts 13:1-3 (Paul and Barnabas sent out)
- •2 Corinthians 11:23-28 (Paul's sufferings for the gospel)
#### Activities:
- •Read missionary biographies together
- •Watch documentary about modern missionaries
- •Connect with missionaries your church supports
- •Create missionary trading cards with key facts
- •Discuss challenges and rewards of missionary life
#### Missionaries to Study:
- •William Carey: "Father of modern missions," India
- •Hudson Taylor: China Inland Mission founder
- •Amy Carmichael: Rescued children from temple prostitution in India
- •Jim and Elisabeth Elliot: Martyred reaching Auca tribe, Ecuador
- •Gladys Aylward: "Small woman" with great faith, China
- •David Livingstone: Explorer and missionary, Africa
- •Lottie Moon: Pioneering missionary to China
- •Mary Slessor: "White Queen of Okoyong," Nigeria
Week 3: Cultures and Countries
#### Theme:
Celebrating diversity and learning about different cultures.
#### Scripture Focus:
- •Acts 17:26-27 (God determined times and places for nations)
- •Psalm 117 (All nations praise the Lord)
#### Activities:
- •Focus on one country/people group each day
- •Cook traditional meals from different countries
- •Learn greetings in different languages
- •Listen to worship music from around the world
- •Research cultural practices and how missionaries adapt
- •Pray specifically for that day's featured country
Week 4: Our Role in Missions
#### Theme:
Everyone can participate—praying, giving, welcoming, going.
#### Scripture Focus:
- •Romans 10:13-15 (How can they hear?)
- •Philippians 4:14-17 (Partnership in the gospel)
- •3 John 5-8 (Supporting workers for the truth)
#### Activities:
- •Assess how your family can support missions
- •Start a missions giving fund
- •Adopt a missionary family to support regularly
- •Plan a short-term missions trip
- •Volunteer with international students locally
- •Discuss: "How might God be calling each of us?"
Interactive Missions Activities
Prayer Map Adventures
#### Creating Your Prayer Map:
- •Purchase large world map or print one
- •Mark countries where your church supports missionaries
- •Use different colored pins for different types of work
- •Add photos of missionary families you support
- •Include prayer requests on sticky notes
- •Update regularly with answered prayers
#### Daily Prayer Map Routine:
- •Choose one location to pray for each day
- •Read brief facts about that country/people group
- •Pray for specific needs
- •Move a marker showing which country you prayed for
- •Track prayers to ensure you cover all locations regularly
#### Interactive Prayer Activities:
- •Spin the Globe: Spin, stop it randomly, pray for wherever your finger lands
- •Country of the Day: Draw a country name from a jar, focus prayers there
- •Travel Route: "Travel" from your house to missionary locations, praying for each stop
- •Time Zone Prayers: Pray for missionaries as their day begins (based on time zones)
Missionary Correspondence
#### Building Relationships:
- •Adopt a missionary family as pen pals
- •Children write letters or draw pictures
- •Send care packages with treats and encouragement
- •Schedule video calls to hear stories firsthand
- •Remember birthdays and special occasions
- •Create ongoing prayer journal for this family
#### What to Include in Letters:
- •Introduce yourselves with photos
- •Ask questions about their daily life and ministry
- •Share what you're learning about their country
- •Tell them you're praying for specific needs
- •Include drawings, stickers, bookmarks
- •Share answered prayers you've heard about
Cultural Exploration Nights
#### Weekly Cultural Dinners:
Choose one country per week and immerse your family in its culture:
- 1Decorate: Hang flag, display artifacts or pictures
- 2Cook: Prepare traditional meal from that country
- 3Learn: Study language basics, greetings, thank you
- 4Watch: Videos about the country and Christian work there
- 5Worship: Listen to worship music in that language
- 6Pray: Specific prayers for that nation's people and churches
#### Country Research Projects:
- •Population and major cities
- •Primary religions and percentage of Christians
- •Major challenges facing the country
- •Missionaries working there
- •How the gospel is spreading
- •Prayer requests and praises
Missions Giving Projects
#### Family Missions Fund:
- •Establish a jar or box for missions donations
- •Family members contribute from allowances or earnings
- •Match children's contributions to encourage giving
- •Track totals toward a specific goal
- •At month's end, decide together where to give
- •Send donation with family letter to missionary
#### Fundraising Activities:
- •Lemonade stand with proceeds to missions
- •Garage sale earmarked for missionary support
- •Family work projects (rake leaves, wash cars) to raise money
- •Sell crafts or baked goods for missions
- •Skip a family outing and donate the money instead
#### Specific Giving Projects:
- •Bible translation efforts
- •Clean water wells in developing nations
- •Mosquito nets to prevent malaria
- •School supplies for missionary kids
- •Church planting funds
- •Medical missions supplies
- •Disaster relief in missions areas
Age-Specific Missions Activities
Toddlers and Preschoolers (Ages 2-5)
- •Simple Songs: "Jesus Loves the Little Children," "He's Got the Whole World in His Hands"
- •Picture Books: Stories about children in other countries
- •Globe Play: Point to countries while saying "Jesus loves them"
- •Taste Testing: Try foods from different cultures
- •Simple Prayers: "God bless children in [country]"
- •Coin Collection: Put coins in missions jar
Elementary (Ages 5-11)
- •Missionary Biography Reading: Age-appropriate books about missionaries
- •Country Reports: Research and present about one country
- •Prayer Passport: Create passport, "stamp" it for each country prayed for
- •Crafts from Different Cultures: Make art projects from various countries
- •Pen Pal Program: Write to missionary kids
- •Language Learning: Learn Bible verses in other languages
- •Missions Fair: Create booths displaying different countries/missionaries
Preteens and Teens (Ages 11-18)
- •Unreached People Groups Study: Research peoples with no gospel witness
- •Missions Documentary Viewing: Watch longer-form content about missions
- •Service Projects: Serve international students or refugees locally
- •Fundraising Leadership: Organize and lead missions fundraiser
- •Short-Term Trip Research: Investigate missions trip opportunities
- •Blog/Vlog Creation: Create content raising missions awareness
- •Career Exploration: Research tent-making missions (professionals who serve overseas)
- •Prayer Walking: Walk neighborhood praying for unreached peoples
Missions Month Special Events
Missions Fair Family Night
Transform your home into a missions experience:
#### Setup:
- •Create "stations" representing different countries
- •Decorate each station with flags, maps, artifacts
- •Prepare traditional snacks from each country
- •Display missionary photos and prayer requests
- •Set up activities teaching about each culture
#### Activities:
- •Passport for kids to get stamped at each station
- •Quiz questions about each country for prizes
- •Try on traditional clothing
- •Learn greetings and phrases
- •Sample foods
- •Prayer time at each station
Missionary Guest Visit
If possible, host a missionary:
#### Before the Visit:
- •Research where they serve
- •Prepare questions children want to ask
- •Pray for the missionary
- •Make welcome signs or decorations
#### During the Visit:
- •Share a meal together
- •Listen to stories from the field
- •Ask questions about daily life and ministry
- •Let missionary share needs and answer questions
- •Pray together for their work
- •Give a gift or care package
#### After the Visit:
- •Write thank-you notes
- •Add them to your regular prayer list
- •Commit to ongoing support
- •Share what you learned
International Potluck
- •Invite church families or friends
- •Each family brings dish from a different country
- •Display flags and maps
- •Share briefly about the country your dish represents
- •Include information about missionaries serving there
- •End with group prayer for nations represented
Ongoing Missions Practices
Daily Family Devotions
#### Missions Prayer Component:
- •Include one missions prayer request daily
- •Rotate through missionaries you support
- •Use prayer cards or newsletters for specifics
- •Let different family members lead missions prayers
- •Track and celebrate answered prayers
#### Scripture Memory:
Memorize missions-focused verses:
- •Matthew 28:19-20
- •Acts 1:8
- •Romans 10:14-15
- •Isaiah 6:8
- •Mark 16:15
Missions Budget Line
- •Establish missions giving as regular family expense
- •Model biblical percentage giving (10% or more)
- •Include children in decisions about where to give
- •Prioritize missions in budget discussions
- •Teach that giving to missions is worship
Missions Library
- •Build collection of missionary biographies
- •Include books about different countries and cultures
- •Subscribe to missions magazines
- •Keep missionary prayer cards accessible
- •Display missions-focused art and maps
Raising Mission-Minded Kids
Long-Term Strategies
#### Model Missions Passion:
- •Let children see your heart for the lost
- •Talk regularly about unreached peoples
- •Celebrate when you hear of gospel advancement
- •Grieve appropriately over places without witness
- •Demonstrate personal sacrifice for missions
#### Expose Them Early and Often:
- •Attend missions conferences as a family
- •Invite missionaries into your home
- •Watch missions-focused media together
- •Visit missions organizations or training centers
- •Support missions financially where they can see it
#### Encourage Cross-Cultural Friendships:
- •Welcome international students or refugees
- •Attend multicultural events
- •Choose diverse schools or activities when possible
- •Celebrate different cultures in your home
- •Combat prejudice and promote genuine appreciation for diversity
#### Provide Missions Experiences:
- •Take family short-term missions trips
- •Serve at local international missions
- •Host missionaries and international workers
- •Participate in missions work days (packing boxes, preparing materials)
- •Visit missionary training facilities
Planting Seeds for Future Calling
- •Affirm if children express missionary interest
- •Don't pressure, but cultivate openness
- •Discuss various missions roles (not just overseas evangelists)
- •Pray regularly for God's calling in their lives
- •Support exploration of languages and cultures
- •Connect them with missionaries in fields they're interested in
The Great Privilege
"How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!" - Romans 10:15b (ESV)
Missions isn't a burden—it's a privilege. We get to participate in the most important work in the universe: making the name of Jesus known among all peoples. When you dedicate a month to missions emphasis with your children, you're opening their eyes to this glorious privilege. You're helping them see beyond their immediate world to God's global purpose. You're cultivating compassion for those who've never heard the name of Jesus. And you're inviting them into the adventure of being part of God's rescue mission for humanity.
Your children may never serve as overseas missionaries—though some might. They may never translate Scripture or plant churches in unreached areas—though some could. But every child you raise can be mission-minded. Every child can pray. Every child can give. Every child can welcome strangers. Every child can share Jesus with neighbors and classmates. And every child can see themselves as part of the global body of Christ, committed to fulfilling the Great Commission.
This missions emphasis month isn't just about 30 days of activities. It's about planting seeds that will bear fruit for a lifetime—and into eternity. It's about shaping worldviews to see all nations, all peoples, all languages as precious to God. It's about raising children who won't be content with comfortable Christianity but will ask, "How can I participate in taking the gospel to those who've never heard?"
The harvest is plentiful. The laborers are few. Perhaps the children you're raising will be among those who answer Christ's call to go. But whether they go or send, pray or give, work at home or abroad, may they never lose sight of the vision: people from every tribe, tongue, and nation gathered around the throne, worshiping the Lamb who was slain.
That's a vision worth giving your life to. That's a vision worth teaching your children. And that vision begins with a month—or a day, or a moment—when you help them see that God's love extends to every person on earth, and He invites us all to be part of making that love known.
Go therefore. And take your children with you.