Twelve Important Guys, Part 2

Twelve Important Guys, Part 2

Bible Blast: Read Matthew 10:2-4

In the same way, any of you who does not give up everything he has cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:33 (NIV)

Yesterday we ended our introduction to the disciples with Bartholomew. Let’s keep working down that list!

Thomas doubted a lot. He wasn’t quick to believe something was true. That’s why you might hear someone say, “He’s a doubting Thomas.” When Jesus came back from the dead and his disciples saw him, Thomas didn’t believe it was really Jesus until he touched his actual wounds.

Matthew was an interesting choice for a disciple because he was a tax collector. Tax collectors were hated because they were known to be wealthy, selfish men who stole money. When Matthew left his job to follow Jesus, he left behind his passion for riches and wealth. He wrote the Gospel of Matthew.

James the son of Alphaeus was one of Jesus’ disciples, but we don’t really know anything about him, except that he was one of the twelve.

Thaddaeus is another one we don’t know much about. He was also called Judas, but he wasn’t the same Judas who betrayed Jesus. We’ll talk about that Judas in a minute.

Simon the Zealot got his name because he was a fighter. He wanted the Roman government to be gone, and he was passionate about it. That’s what zeal means: “passion.”

Judas Iscariot is definitely one of the most interesting disciples. Jesus allowed Judas to follow him as his disciple, knowing that one day he would be the one to hand Jesus over to be killed. Judas was greedy. The chief religious leaders paid him thirty pieces of silver to betray Jesus, which is exactly what he did. Later, in despair over what he’d done, he killed himself.

Now we’ve talked about twelve disciples, but we’re not quite done. The disciples chose another follower of Jesus to make up the twelve, replacing Judas Iscariot. Matthias was the one chosen. You can read about him in Acts 1:21-26.

What an interesting group, huh? They were ordinary men who became extraordinary through Jesus.

Girl Gab: What do you think about the men Jesus chose to be his disciples? Are you surprised by any of them? It’s a good idea to go over this info so you can remember who the twelve disciples were. You could do a little “Disciple Trivia” with the family over dinner. Bonus points to anyone who can remember who replaced Judas Iscariot!