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From the hundreds of people who followed him from place to place, Jesus chose twelve to be his companions and associates. They came from a wide range of backgrounds and life experiences. He called them apostles, meaning "messenger" or "authorized representative." None carried the leadership credentials recognized by the religious establishment. All shared a readiness to go for broke in following and obeying Jesus.

Mark 3:7-9, 13-19

1. What (v. 7) was the difference between Jesus' disciples and the crowds that gathered?
   
   
2. How (v. 9) did Jesus involve his disciples in his mission?
   
   
3. How (vv. 13-14) did Jesus put together his "inner core"?
   
   
4. What do the nicknames Jesus gave to several of The Twelve (James & John-Mark 3:17; Simon-John 1:42; Thomas-John 11:16) tell you about how close the relationship was?
   
   
5. What are some ways (John 1:47, 6:70) that Jesus evaluated his followers?
   
   
6. What are some ways (Matthew 17:23; Mark 10:35-40; John 14:8-11, 20:27, 21:15-19) that Jesus challenged his followers?
   
   

Ask God to use you to help other men become true disciples who do exploits in God's kingdom.

Mark 3:7-9, 13-19

7 Jesus went out to the lake with his disciples, and a large crowd followed him. They came from all over Galilee, Judea, 8 Jerusalem, Idumea, from east of the Jordan River, and even from as far north as Tyre and Sidon. The news about his miracles had spread far and wide, and vast numbers of people came to see him.

9 Jesus instructed his disciples to have a boat ready so the crowd would not crush him.

13 Afterward Jesus went up on a mountain and called out the ones he wanted to go with him. And they came to him. 14 Then he appointed twelve of them and called them his apostles. They were to accompany him, and he would send them out to preach, 15 giving them authority to cast out demons. 16 These are the twelve he chose:

Simon (whom he named Peter),
17 James and John (the sons of Zebedee, but Jesus nicknamed them "Sons of Thunder"),
18 Andrew,
Philip,
Bartholomew,
Matthew,
Thomas,
James (son of Alphaeus),
Thaddaeus,
Simon (the zealot[c]),
19 Judas Iscariot (who later betrayed him).

Copyright © 2008 by the author or Christianity Today International/Men of Integrity magazine.
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Prayer for the Week

Grow me, Lord, into an unselfish leader who stimulates other disciples to increasing commitment and effectiveness.

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