The Pursuit of God connects with the Great Commission by forming the inner life from which obedient disciple-making flows. Matthew 28:18–20 calls Christians to make disciples, baptize, and teach obedience. Tozer’s book addresses the surrender, faith, humility, and awareness needed to carry out that mission faithfully.
Pursuit prevents empty activity
A person can be busy with ministry while becoming inwardly distant from Christ. The book calls disciple-makers back to God Himself.
Mission should flow from abiding rather than replace it.
Surrender creates availability
The Great Commission requires time, inconvenience, generosity, and courage. Attachments to comfort, control, or reputation can limit obedience.
Tozer’s teaching on possessing nothing asks whether these gifts are available to God.
Faith supports courage
Disciple-making involves uncertain conversations and results. The gaze of the soul directs attention toward God’s authority and presence rather than personal ability.
Jesus begins the Commission by declaring His authority and ends with His presence.
Meekness shapes leadership
Disciple-makers can become controlling or recognition-driven. Meekness enables service, listening, correction, and release of disciples into responsibility.
Whole-life worship expands the mission field
The sacrament of living places disciple-making in homes, workplaces, friendships, and ordinary routines. Teaching obedience happens through observed life as well as scheduled lessons.
A practical connection
Use each chapter to ask two questions:
- How must this truth change me?
- How can I help another person understand and practice it?
The book supports the Great Commission when personal pursuit becomes obedient multiplication.
Biblical anchors
Matthew 28:18-20 grounds the article’s central question. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
John 15:8 adds an important biblical balance. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Acts 1:8 shows how the truth becomes lived obedience. Read the surrounding paragraph or chapter and note what it reveals about God and the response expected from the believer.
Questions for further study
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Which statement in this article most needs to affect your understanding or conduct?
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How does Matthew 28:18-20 confirm, correct, or deepen the article’s answer?
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What fear, attachment, distraction, or habit makes a faithful response difficult?
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Which person or responsibility should be affected by your next step?
Put it into practice
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Study: Read Matthew 28:18-20 in context and write one sentence explaining how it contributes to the answer given in this article.
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Respond: Choose one statement—such as “The Pursuit of God strengthens the inner life from which that mission flows.”—and turn it into a specific prayer and action.
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Review: Tell a trusted believer what you plan to do and ask that person to follow up within seven days.
Common mistakes to avoid
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Disciple-making is not creating dependence on a human leader.
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Multiplication without abiding can become technique without spiritual life.
Name the real situation
Consider a real situation connected to this statement: The Great Commission calls disciples to make disciples and teach obedience to Jesus. Name the person, decision, or responsibility involved. Read Matthew 28:18-20 in context, then write what faithfulness would look like before the end of the week. Avoid a broad promise such as “try harder.” Choose an action that another person could recognize and review.
Examine the heart response
Consider a real situation connected to this statement: The Pursuit of God strengthens the inner life from which that mission flows. Name the person, decision, or responsibility involved. Read John 15:8 in context, then write what faithfulness would look like before the end of the week. Avoid a broad promise such as “try harder.” Choose an action that another person could recognize and review.
Continue with the annotated study guide
The annotated edition connects personal pursuit and abiding in Christ with the Great Commission and the formation of disciples who make disciples. This article answers one focused question; the complete edition brings all ten chapters into one connected study experience.
The Pursuit of God (Annotated): A Modern Study Guide to A. W. Tozer’s Classic on Abiding in Christ and Making Disciples