Single lesson

Jesus Sends His Followers to Make Disciples

Matthew 28:16–20; Mark 16:14–18

Jesus speaks to the eleven in both Matthew and Mark, and each passage highlights different details. This lesson helps children read both accounts carefully, notice Jesus’ commands, and describe how the disciples responded.

6–10 years30 minutes

Before you teach

Matthew says the eleven went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them. There they saw Jesus, bowed down, and some doubted. Mark says Jesus was revealed to the eleven as they sat at the table, and he rebuked their unbelief because they had not believed those who had seen him after he had risen.

Learning aim

Students will be able to name key details from Matthew 28:16–20 and Mark 16:14–18, distinguish the commands in each passage, and explain what each text says about belief, discipleship, and Jesus’ authority.

Welcome: Listen for what each passage says

5 min

Write two headings where everyone can see them: Matthew and Mark. Tell children they will hear two passages about Jesus speaking to the eleven, and they should listen for three things: where the eleven are, how they respond to Jesus, and what Jesus tells them to do. This prepares them to compare the passages carefully.

Matthew 28:16, Mark 16:14

Read and explain: Matthew’s account on the mountain

7 min

Read Matthew 28:16–20 aloud. Point out that Matthew places the eleven in Galilee on the mountain Jesus had chosen. When they saw him, they bowed down, though some doubted. Jesus then says all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to him, and he commands them to go, make disciples, baptise, and teach people to observe his commands.

Matthew 28:16, Matthew 28:17, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20

Discuss: Mark’s account at the table

6 min

Read Mark 16:14–18 aloud. Explain that Mark describes Jesus being revealed to the eleven as they sat at the table, and he rebukes their unbelief and hardness of heart because they did not believe witnesses who had seen him after he had risen. Jesus then tells them to go into all the world and preach the Good News, and he speaks about belief, baptism, unbelief, and signs.

Mark 16:14, Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16, Mark 16:17, Mark 16:18

Make and respond: Matthew or Mark sorting cards

8 min

Give children small cards and help them write or draw details from the passages, such as mountain, Galilee, bowed down, some doubted, all authority, make disciples, table, rebuked unbelief, preach the Good News, and signs. Children place each card under Matthew or Mark. Then ask them to choose one command of Jesus from the passages and say it aloud using the words of the verse.

Matthew 28:17, Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:14, Mark 16:15, Mark 16:16, Mark 16:17, Mark 16:18

Closing: What we learned from Jesus’ words

4 min

Review the main points together. In Matthew, Jesus speaks with all authority and promises, ‘I am with you always’. In Mark, Jesus rebukes unbelief and sends the eleven to preach the Good News. Finish by reminding children that these passages show Jesus’ words and commands, and that we should read them carefully and speak about them truthfully.

Matthew 28:18, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:14, Mark 16:15

Questions to explore

In Matthew, what two responses are named when the disciples saw Jesus?

Look closely at the verse and name both parts of their response.

Matthew 28:17

According to Mark, why did Jesus rebuke the eleven?

Use the words in the verse about unbelief, hardness of heart, and not believing those who had seen him after he had risen.

Mark 16:14

What commands does Jesus give in Matthew, and what command does he give in Mark?

Answer with the wording from each passage and keep Matthew’s details separate from Mark’s.

Matthew 28:19, Matthew 28:20, Mark 16:15

Make, think or respond

Matthew or Mark Sorting Cards

What you’ll need

Small pieces of paper or card
Pencils or textas
Two sheets of paper
Tape

Try it together

Label one sheet Matthew and the other Mark.
Write or draw details from the verses onto separate cards.
Place each card under the correct heading by checking the passage carefully.
Read the matching verse aloud after each card is placed.
Finish by choosing one command of Jesus from the passages and saying it together.

This activity helps children keep Matthew’s details and Mark’s details distinct while paying attention to Jesus’ commands in each passage.

Adapt for your group

For younger children, prepare simple picture prompts and read each verse aloud before they place a card.
For older children, ask them to add the exact verse reference to each card and explain how Matthew 28:17 and Mark 16:14 describe different responses.

An optional closing prayer

You might pray: ‘Lord Jesus, thank you for your authority and for your words. Help us listen carefully, believe what you say, and learn to obey you. Amen.’

Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic

Matthew 28

¹⁶ But the eleven disciples went into Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had sent them.

¹⁷ When they saw him, they bowed down to him; but some doubted.

¹⁸ Jesus came to them and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

¹⁹ Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

²⁰ teaching them to observe all things that I commanded you. Behold, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.

Mark 16

¹⁴ Afterward he was revealed to the eleven themselves as they sat at the table; and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they didn’t believe those who had seen him after he had risen.

¹⁵ He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to the whole creation.

¹⁶ He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who disbelieves will be condemned.

¹⁷ These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new languages;

¹⁸ they will take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it will in no way hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.”

World English Bible Classic. Public domain.