Twelve Were Chosen — David Laton, D.Min.

Becoming a disciple of Jesus is a choice. If we choose wisely then we enter a relationship with God. If we choose poorly, we reject God and suffer the consequences of lost hope. In this lesson we explain how we wisely use the gift of choice to learn more about God, trust God, and obey God. The lesson demonstrates choosing faith by showing how Peter gained, weakened, and regained his faith and how Judas Iscariot chose to misdirect and lose faith.

As the gospels end and the church begins, we see Matthias appointed to replace Judas and later Paul appointed to continue to carry the gospel into all the world. This lesson looks at these two later appointed apostles and the lessons we learn from them.

This lesson looks not at a wasted life, but at a life wasted. The difference is choices made. How sad it will be on judgment day when we are presented with the many opportunities to serve our Lord. Such is the case with the tragic figure Judas Iscariot. He was with our Lord physically but not spiritually and never grew in his faith.

Known only by their names yet known to God for their faithful and selfless service. These three untold heroes teach us that our role is to put the Master first.

All of us have questions, doubts, and fears. These two apostles showed their faith in Jesus over things of the world and things that cause us to fear and doubt. They learned to turn their lives, without hesitation, to the one who gives life.

Two men whose first instinct was to bring others to Jesus. Sometimes they got it wrong but, in the end, they recognized who Jesus was and followed Him into eternity.

This amazing pair of self-centered and self-serving brothers became faithful and self-less servants of Jesus. Along the way they had much to overcome, beginning with themselves. The result was complete loyalty and service to the master.

This apostle, the first follower of Jesus, shows us the value of taking the gospel to those close to us. He, like his famous brother, Peter, grew to become fishers of men.

Perhaps the best known of the apostles, this giant of the faith went from putting his foot in his mouth to opening the way to Jesus for all humanity.

In this lesson, we will gain insight into the difference between a disciple and apostle. We will look at how Jesus prepared Himself to call the 12 and what they had to overcome as they grew in their faith.