What does the Bible say about the mission of the church?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

The mission of the church, established by Jesus Himself (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28), centers on making disciples globally (Matthew 28:18–20), baptizing and teaching them in His name. As the family of God and the body of Christ (Mark 3:35; Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:4–32), we are called to nurture believers to maturity, reflecting God's love and truth to a world in need (John 17:21–23; Ephesians 4:11–16). This mission includes proclaiming the gospel, supporting one another in love and humility (Galatians 6:1–10), equipping believers for ministry (Ephesians 4), using spiritual gifts for the common good (1 Corinthians 12; Romans 12), and demonstrating Christ's character through our actions, especially our love for one another (John 13:34–35).

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The church is not directly mentioned in the Old Testament.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• Jesus said He would build His church (Matthew 16:18), so the mission of the church comes from Jesus (Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 3:9, 17; 15:9).
• The church is the family of God and the body of Christ (Mark 3:35; Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:4–32).
• Jesus calls us, the church, to make disciples—followers of Jesus (Matthew 28:18–20). Here is what He said about how we are called to do that: "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).
• The church is for the building up of Jesus' followers, so they can reflect God to a world that so desperately needs the message of hope in the gospel (John 17:21–23).
• "In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory" (Ephesians 1:11–12). The church is designed to point others to Jesus, to care compassionately for others, to proclaim the truth, and to show what a free and forgiven people look like.
• Another part of the mission of the church is growing the maturity of Jesus' followers (Ephesians 4:11–16; 1 Thessalonians 5:11). Hebrews 10:24–25 talks about stirring one another to love and good works, and not neglecting meeting together. The church should care for one another, help keep one another from sin, bear with one another, and exercise their spiritual gifts for mutual edification. The church should protect against false teaching and build one another up in truth (2 Timothy 2:2; 1 Thessalonians 5:12–22).
• Galatians 6:1–10 teaches that the church is to support and restore believers with love and humility, showing kindness and care especially within the body of Christ.
• Ephesians 4 shows that the mission of the church is to equip believers for ministry, promoting unity and maturity in Christ, utilizing diverse spiritual gifts for the edification of the body of Christ (see also 1 Corinthians 12).
• The church's mission is to live out the gospel through transformed lives, demonstrating love, hospitality, and service to both believers and non-believers, reflecting Christ's character in everyday actions (Romans 12).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

As members of the church, we are called to actively participate in its mission, embracing our role in God's grand plan for humanity. To live on mission, each of us must recognize our vital role in the larger picture. This means embracing our individual calling while understanding how it fits into the broader mission of the church. Living on mission also extends beyond the church walls. In our daily lives—at work, in our neighborhoods, or among friends—we have opportunities to reflect Christ's love and share the gospel. These individual interactions, when multiplied across the entire church body, create a powerful witness to the transformative power of faith in Christ. As we live on mission together, we reflect God's character and offer of salvation to a world that so desperately needs Him.

UNDERSTAND

• Jesus established the church's mission (Matthew 16:18; Acts 20:28; 1 Corinthians 3:9), shaping it as the family of God and the body of Christ (Mark 3:35; Ephesians 2:19–22; 4:4–32).
• The church's primary mission is to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:18–20).
• The church exists to build up believers in maturity (Ephesians 4:11–15; 1 Thessalonians 5:11) and to demonstrate God's love and truth through transformed lives (Romans 12), reflecting Him to the world (John 17:21–23).

REFLECT

• How am you currently contributing to the church's mission of making disciples? What specific steps can you take to be more intentional in this area?
• In what ways are you using your unique gifts and talents to build up the body of Christ? Are there new ways you could serve that you haven't considered before?
• How does your daily life reflect the transformative power of the gospel?

ENGAGE

• How can we as a church community more effectively equip and support each other in living out our mission? What practical steps can we take to promote unity and spiritual growth among our members?
• In what ways can the church better reach out to and engage with the local community? What is the balance between building disciples within and outside of the church?
• Many local churches have their own mission statements, but the overarching mission of the global church is the same for all as it was given by Jesus.