The Twelve Apostles – Luke 6:12-16

What is the difference between disciples and apostles?

Bible Reading

Luke 6:12-16

12  Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.

13  And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles:

14  Simon, whom He also named Peter, and Andrew his brother; James and John; Philip and Bartholomew;

15  Matthew and Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon called the Zealot;

16  Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot who also became a traitor.

(NKJ)

 

 

Food for Thought

1.   What was one of the best teams you ever belonged to?

2.   Under what circumstances have you been chosen while others were rejected?

3.   When have you been rejected while others were chosen?

 

Bible Study

4.   What did Jesus do before choosing the twelve apostles? (6:12)

5.   How much time did Jesus spend in prayer before choosing his apostles? (6:12)

6.   From what larger group did Jesus name his twelve apostles? (6:13)

7.   Who is James, the son of Alphaeus? (Mt 13:55; Mt 27:56)

8.   Who is Alphaeus? (Jn 19:25)

9.   How many apostles shared the same first names? (6:14-16)

10. What significance is there in the order of the apostles’ names? (6:14-16)

 

Kingdom Dynamics

10. Why does Jesus go to the mountain to pray?

11. Why does Jesus need to pray?

12. What significance can be drawn from the fact that Jesus singled out some of his disciples to be apostles?

13. What is the difference between disciples and apostles?

14. Why did Jesus only choose twelve apostles?

15. Is Paul an apostle of Christ? (Acts 1:21-22)

16. What purposes could Jesus have had in spending the night in prayer?

17. What kinds of decisions or events might cause someone to spend extended time in prayer?

18. What could spending extended time in prayer accomplish that could not be accomplished in a shorter time of prayer?

19. Why are extended times of prayer important?

 

Practical Christianity

20. What do you want to keep in mind from the passage to help you in making choices in the future?

21. When in the near future could you pray about God’s plan for your life?