Two By Two

Two by Two

Q: Which person below was not one of Jesus’ 12 disciples?

• a. Philip
• b. Bartholomew
• c. Mark

In the early years in America, young people would train as apprentices under skilled laborers. If you wanted to be a carpenter, your parents would arrange for you to live with a carpenter’s family. You’d work for free as you learned your job, but they’d feed you and give you a place to sleep.

When Jesus lived on earth, 12 men followed him as he preached to the crowds and healed the sick. These 12 men learned from Jesus and witnessed his miracles. They could never be like him because he was the Son of God, but they trained under him to do his work.

When it was time, Jesus sent his disciples out two by two. By going in pairs, they could encourage and strengthen each other. Each could be a support to the other when they faced rejection.

The disciples had God’s power to work miracles and his strength to stay strong, but Jesus still had them work in pairs. It’s often easier to work as a team than alone. Today when churches send out church members to visit in homes and invite others to church, they often go out in groups of two or three. It’s good to have a partner to strengthen and support you.

For You

If you are trying to live God’s way alone at school, on a sports team, or in your neighborhood, it’s probably hard. It’s easier if there’s someone else to take a stand with you. Look around for another Christian who can be your partner in living for God each day.

Answer: c

At daybreak [Jesus] called together all of his disciples and chose twelve of them to be apostles. Here are their names: Simon (whom he named Peter), Andrew (Peter’s brother), James, John, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James (son of Alphaeus), Simon (who was called the zealot), Judas (son of James), Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).   Luke 6:13-16

(The Whole Story: Mark 3:13-19; 6:7-13; Luke 6:12-16)