Twelve Were Chosen
A Study of the Original Apostles
Faith
A Matter of Choice
Teaching Strategy
The focus of this lesson is on our gift of choice and how we must choose wisely to serve God faithfully. Of special note is the difference between Peter’s faith walk and how he grew in faith and Judas’ misdirected faith and ultimate loss of faith and the resulting hopelessness and death. As we compare the two, we learn how we must exercise choice wisely.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Know: Learn the characteristics of the apostles that enable us to influence others for Jesus.
- Feel: Value the apostles as role models in serving the Lord.
- Do: Apply the characteristics of the apostles in our life of faithful service to the Lord.
Body of the Lesson
Discussion Questions
Below are suggested questions to use during the guided discussion portion of the lesson. There are also suggested responses to questions to help students grasp the various concepts. These are provided to assist the discussion and are not considered as "right or wrong" responses.
Knowledge of God comes from studying His word and applying it in our lives. As we come to know more of God it leads to a greater trust as we see His love and faithfulness to us as His faithful children. From this knowledge and trust there is a willingness and even compulsion to obey Him in all areas of our life.
The apostles heard the words of Christ and began to go beyond basic knowledge, eventually internalizing it as they become more Christlike. They possessed a level of knowledge of God's word but Jesus taught them the true application of it. With the exception of Judas Iscariot, they accepted this and continued to dedicate their lives to our Lord. The more they learned, trusted, and obeyed, the more they grew in faith.
We too go through a similar process with the added benefit of having the complete word of God, including the recorded teachings of Jesus and the others in the New Testament. As we learn, trust, and obey, we too will grow in our faith.
Use the calling, key events, denial, and reinstatement of Peter to answer this question.
Peter was introduced to Jesus by his brother Andrew. From this Peter had his relationship solidified by Jesus through many personal interactions. Peter grew to declare our Lord as the Son of God and that he was willing to even die for Him. Sadly, when tested, Peter's faith weakened (along with the others) but never abandoned. Then our Lord fully reinstated Peter as not only an apostle, but the one to reveal the mystery of God's plan for our salvation.
Judas knew Jesus, even following Him throughout His ministry. Yet Judas never internalized the teachings of Jesus. Instead of coming to truly know our Lord and thus be able to trust and obey Him, Judas sought to apply his faith in himself and others. Then when he attempted to find forgiveness, he went to the wrong source. Instead of going to our Lord, Judas sought forgiveness from the Chief Priest. Unable to find it, Judas sadly took his life.
The lesson for us is that when we sin and fail in our faith, we return to our Lord and will receive forgiveness and reinstatement. That is the promise from our Lord that we can always receive. (See Matthew 11:28-30; I John 1:5-10).
God created us with the ability to choose to obey Him. In doing so, we not only express our love for Him, but also our faith in Him. God could have made us as instinctive animals with no real choice but instead made us in His image with that gift among other gifts.
When we chose to be faithful it has the consequence of continually receiving forgiveness for our sins and weaknesses. When we chose to not be faithful, we suffer the negative consequences of death and separation from God.
Like Peter and so many others have done, we chose to return to our Lord and always find forgiveness and reinstatement in the family.
Faith brings us to God and keeps us in that relationship as we live as God wishes for us.