Matthew 28:16-20, often called the Great Commission, is more than just a biblical mandate to go forth and preach the gospel. It is, in essence, a masterclass in leadership development delivered by Christ Himself. And when viewed through the lens of Faith, Family, and Formation, it becomes a battle plan for how men must lead — especially in times of doubt.
Let us revisit the scripture:
"The eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had ordered them. When they saw him, they worshiped, but they doubted." (Matthew 28:16-17)
These two verses are packed with meaning. Jesus is risen from the dead. The disciples have seen miracles, heard His voice, eaten with Him. And yet, they doubted. Let that sink in: these were the chosen, the insiders, the ones who had walked with God Himself. And they still struggled to fully believe.
And we, too, in the modern age, carry our doubts. We doubt the presence of God in suffering, we doubt our value when we fail, and we doubt our strength to lead when we are exhausted by the world. But here is the hope: doubt is not disqualification — it is invitation. Just as Christ did not turn away from those who hesitated, He does not turn away from us. He calls us, even in our confusion, to lead anyway. Psalm 34:4 declares, "I sought the Lord, and he answered me, and delivered me from all my fears." This is the truth men must embrace today: fear and doubt are part of the journey, not the end of it. Leadership is forged in the fire of uncertainty, and those willing to walk through it in faith will be strengthened beyond imagination.
But instead of chastising them, Jesus commissions them.
"All power in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations..." (vv. 18-19)
Doubt as the Gateway to True Leadership
In our modern culture, especially among men, doubt is seen as weakness. We're told to exude confidence, suppress uncertainty, and never let anyone see you hesitate. But Scripture tells a different story. Christ meets doubt not with rejection, but with responsibility.
And this is precisely where Formation comes in. As men, we must be formed not in the absence of doubt, but through it. Saint Augustine wrote:
"Doubt is but another element of faith; it is the shadow cast by belief in the blinding light of truth."
Augustine knew that faith is not blind acceptance, but the wrestle between fear and trust. That wrestling match is what makes a leader. The man who confronts his doubt and leads anyway is the man his family, his Church, and his country need.
Psalm 37:23-24 reminds us:
"The steps of a man are made firm by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he does not lie prostrate, for the hand of the Lord sustains him."
God is not seeking perfect men. He is seeking faithful men — men who rise after falling, men who admit uncertainty but press forward in obedience.
The Mountain as a Metaphor for Manhood
They met Christ on a mountain — not in the valley, not in comfort. Mountains in Scripture are always sites of transformation. Moses received the law on a mountain. Elijah encountered God in the whisper on a mountain. Christ was transfigured on one. And now the disciples are commissioned on one.
Mountains require climbing, sweating, and sacrifice. For men, this is the daily grind — rising above sloth, lust, pride, and selfishness to become worthy of the summit. And it is there, in the clarity of the mountaintop, where Christ entrusts mission.
"Go and make disciples... baptizing them... teaching them..." (v.19-20)
Leadership is not about domination. It is about discipleship. We are called to lead our families not as tyrants, but as teachers. To baptize not only with water, but with the truth of the faith poured into our children's lives. To teach by example, by prayer, by perseverance.
Proverbs 20:7 tells us:
"The righteous who walks in integrity—blessed are his children after him."
When we climb the mountain, our children climb with us. Our faith becomes their inheritance. Our courage becomes their compass.
Formation Requires Structure
The Great Commission is structured: GO, MAKE, BAPTIZE, TEACH. This is not spiritual anarchy. This is a divine strategy. It mirrors the three pillars I continually emphasize: Faith, Family, and Formation.
Faith is our foundation. It is where we begin the climb up the mountain. Without faith, we are not grounded. Without grounding, we cannot grow.
Family is our first mission field. If we fail there, we fail everywhere. Our children are not just our legacy — they are our disciples.
Formation is the ongoing process of dying to self and rising in Christ. It is the long game of spiritual leadership. It is where steel meets flame and character is forged.
In the early Church, St. Ignatius of Antioch echoed this when he said:
"Where there is no order, there is no Church. Where there is no man willing to lead his house in love, there is no light in that home."
Men must reclaim the ordered structure of leadership grounded in service. The man who kneels before Christ can stand before anything.
Leadership in the Shadow of Uncertainty
Let us not forget: some of those commissioned would soon be martyred. They didn’t have a five-year plan or a retirement strategy. What they had was obedience, forged in the fire of uncertainty.
You may be doubting your worth as a father, your effectiveness as a leader, or your purpose in this chaotic world. Good. Because that means you’re in the company of the eleven. And Christ still says to you: Go.
Don’t wait for the doubt to disappear. Act in the midst of it. Leadership doesn’t mean having all the answers. It means being willing to carry the cross anyway.
Proverbs 3:5-6 gives us strength:
"Trust in the Lord with all your heart, on your own intelligence rely not; In all your ways be mindful of him, and he will make straight your paths."
Practical Applications for Men Today
Start with Prayer. Begin your day on the mountaintop. Rise early. Make time. If you don’t lead your household in prayer, who will? Psalm 5:3 says, "In the morning, O Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation."
Form Your Mind. Read Scripture. Study the Catechism. Learn the stories of the saints. You cannot lead others to truth if you don't pursue it yourself. Proverbs 1:5 says, "Let the wise listen and add to their learning."
Lead with Integrity. What you do in secret forms who you are in public. Your children are watching. Your wife is hoping. God is calling. Psalm 101:2 reminds us, "I will walk with integrity of heart within my house."
Serve Your Family. Christ washed the feet of his disciples. Serve your family not as a king demanding loyalty, but as a father offering love. Proverbs 11:25 says, "A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed."
Be Accountable. Find brothers in Christ who will challenge and support you. Men sharpen men like iron sharpens iron. Proverbs 27:17: "As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another."
Baptize Through Your Actions. Every moment is a chance to immerse others in grace. Let your home be a sanctuary of truth. Let your behavior preach louder than your words.
Teach with Courage. Speak truth. Correct lies. Defend the faith with gentleness and firmness. Proverbs 22:6: "Train up a child in the way he should go; even when he is old he will not depart from it."
Conclusion: The Promise That Sustains Us
Christ concludes the Commission with a divine assurance:
"And behold, I am with you always, until the end of the age." (v.20)
We are not alone. Even when we doubt. Even when we fail. Christ remains. He does not abandon His men. He strengthens them in their weakness, steadies them in their climb, and speaks into their uncertainty.
Brothers, do not let doubt sideline you. Let it become your doorway to deeper faith, greater formation, and renewed leadership. As St. Ambrose wrote:
"He who has not doubted, has not truly believed. But he who has doubted and still obeyed, that man walks the path of the saints."
Let us walk that path. For the sake of our Faith, the good of our Family, and the strength of our Formation. Amen.
Welcome to the St Michael’s Group! In a world facing a decline in religious belief and an increase in moral confusion, the need to reignite our faith has never been more critical. Religion’s capacity to offer meaning, foster ethical behavior, and build cohesive communities is vital for countering the spread of spiritual apathy and the influence of evil. By renewing our commitment to faith, we can combat the forces that seek to divide and weaken us. Reigniting our faith lives, therefore, is not just a personal endeavor but a collective responsibility. It is essential for preserving the moral and spiritual fabric of our society, ensuring that love, compassion, and justice continue to be the guiding principles of human existence.
This is why I started the St. Michael’s Group Substack and Podcast. Join us today stmichaelsgroup.substack.com and let’s start a movement of reigniting faith, family, and formation back into our lives.
This is Dr. Currie Myers. I am an applied criminologist and criminal justice ethicist. I have been on faculty in the criminology department at Benedictine College for over 13 years and was a career law enforcement officer for 24 years. Most importantly I have a beautiful family. My wife and I have been married for 37 years, and we have five children and 10 grandchildren. You can view my work on applied criminology at drcurriemyers.substack.com. Have a great and blessed week and please subscribe and share this podcast with others. And more importantly, if you are struggling in life and need someone to talk to, we have a chat function that you can contact me directly. And if you wish for me to speak at one of your events, please contact (catholicspeakers.com) to schedule.
If this episode moved you, I invite you to share it with someone you love. Let this be a holy conversation starter. And if you haven’t already, spend time in front of the Cross this weekend. Not to look at it, but to be changed by it.
Thanks for joining me! Stay rooted in faith, sharpened by virtue, and courageous in truth. God bless you, and I’ll see you next time on The St. Michael’s Group Podcast.
Dr Currie Myers, America's Criminologist - Former Agonistic turned Convert to the Catholic Faith. Dr. Myers is a published author and speaker. Contact (catholicspeakers.com) for Dr. Myers to speak at your event!
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