Mission and discipleship

What it is: Christianity understands that the community of believers has a missionary, pedagogical, and witness-bearing vocation. Making disciples, teaching, serving, and proclaiming the gospel are part of its identity.

How the religion understands it: This mission may be emphasized as evangelization, catechesis, social service, church planting, public defense of the faith, or daily witness. Its concrete form varies greatly among traditions.

Context: The missionary dimension strongly influenced the historical expansion of Christianity and continues to be an important mark of many communities.

Supportive

2 Timothy 2:2

bible,new-testament,discipleship,teaching

Transmission of teaching to other disciples.

Reference: 2 Timothy 2:2.
Content: Paul instructs that the teaching be entrusted to faithful people able to teach others as well.
Use in debate: It is an important basis for discipleship, formation, and continuity of Christian teaching.

Acts 1:8

bible,new-testament,mission,holy-spirit

Christian mission empowered by the Spirit.

Reference: Acts 1:8.
Content: Jesus promises the power of the Spirit and sends the disciples as witnesses to the ends of the earth.
Use in debate: The passage is central for mission, discipleship, and the expansion of the Church.

James 1:27

bible,new-testament,ethics,mission,charity

Practical religion linked to care and moral purity.

Reference: James 1:27.
Content: The text relates authentic religion to care for the vulnerable and to moral integrity.
Use in debate: It is important for the practical and social dimension of Christian discipleship.

Matthew 28:18-20

bible,new-testament,baptism,mission

Great Commission and baptismal mandate.

Reference: Matthew 28:18-20.
Content: Jesus sends disciples to all nations, commanding them to baptize and teach.
Use in debate: It is central both to baptism and to Christian mission.