AY Honors/Disciples and Apostles/Answer Key
a. A definition of an apostle and a disciple from reputable Christian literary sources.
Disciple - Someone who is called by God. “During Jesus' earthly ministry, and during the days of the early church, the term that was used most frequently to designate one of Jesus' followers was "disciple" (mathetes) 262 times.” “Called to a Relationship with God. The roots of biblical discipleship go deep into the fertile soil of God's calling. That calling is expressed in the pattern of divine initiative and human response that constitutes the heart of the biblical concept of covenant, manifested in the recurrent promise, "I will be your God, and you shall be my people." That call from Yahweh is reiterated in the call of Jesus, when he said, "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest" ( Matt 11:28 ). God has called his people to represent him on the earth, to be with him in every circumstance of life, to be transformed in personal character to be like him. That calling is at the heart of biblical discipleship, both in the Old and New Testaments.” – Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
Apostle - Someone who is sent out with a message. Pre-Christian use of the Greek term apostolos as one who is sent or a messenger is rare, more commonly it was referring to an ambassador or emissary. However the post-Christian use of the term is one sent to the churches by an authority with a message. The use of the word as a noun was found seventy-nine times in the New Testament (10 in the gospels, 28 times in Acts, 38 times in the Epistles, and three times in Revelation). Only once (Heb 3:1) is it used to refer directly to Christ. – Paraphrased from Baker’s Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology
b. The names of the original 12 apostles.
This is a quick and creative way to learn the names of the 12 disciples (and Matthias...and Paul).
Tune of "Jesus Loves Me"
Jesus called them one by one,
Peter, Andrew, James and John,
Next, came Philip, Thomas too,
Matthew and Bartholomew.
Chorus- Yes, Jesus called them,
Yes, Jesus called them,
Yes, Jesus called them,
He called them one by one.
James the one they called the less,
Simon, also Thaddeus,
Twelfth apostle Judas made,
Jesus was by him betrayed.
Repeat Chorus.
Matthias then took Judas' place,
To preach to men of every race,
Paul three preaching trips did make,
And went to Rome for Jesus' sake.
c. The names of some of the Old Testament disciples.
Abram (Gen 12:1), Moses (Ex 3:10), Elisha (1 Kings 19:19), there are so many more.
d. Some similarities and differences between disciples and apostles.
Similarity – Called to spread the gospel of Jesus. They are followers of Christ.
Difference – The biblical apostles were chosen from the disciples and were commissioned by Jesus. Later apostles were appointed, like Paul, Andronicus, and Junias
e. Stories that illustrate how three of the apostles fulfilled their apostolic role.
Paul – A very effective evangelist who made a serious impact wherever he went. Peter – A very passionate individual who performed miracles as he testified of the goodness of the Lord. Philip – Called spirits out of possessed people who also had four daughters who prophesied.
2. State the Great Commission, as outlined in Matthew 28:19-20.
The Great Commission is the concluding statement of Jesus to his disciples and gives a command to his disciples. Biblegateway.com has over 200 versions and thus a variety of ways to read this text. The link shares three common versions - NKJV (Pathfinder Bible), NIV (normal read for many people in North America), and CSB (a new version copyrighted 2017)
Biblegateway.com Great Commission
NKJV: 19 "'Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.' Amen."
a. List three specific roles this text defines as part of discipleship.
The verbs show us the roles we must take in this part of discipleship. GO MAKE DISCIPLES BAPTIZE
Put another way --
- Go forth
- Teach, educate
- Baptize in the name of the Lord
b. Brainstorm a list of New Testament stories that illustrate the different parts of the Great Commission.
Brainstorm means to let your Pathfinders do most of the thinking with the Pathfinder leader GUIDING the discussion to keep it "within boundaries."
Some possibilities include:
- Philip baptizes the Ethiopian Eunuch (Acts 8)
- Peter is called, responds to, preaches to, and baptizes Cornelius the Roman centurion (Acts 10)
- Paul travels throughout Asia Minor (Acts 13 to 26 various stories)
- Paul is imprisoned, there is an earthquake, and as a result the jailer is baptized (Acts 16)
c. Evaluate and list ways in which modern Christians in your area can put to practice the Great Commission.
This question is wide open. The important elements are that it means stepping outside our comfort zone and sharing Jesus with people outside of our current faith community. This does NOT mean "give and run" random "booklet evangelism" but rather methods that involve all three portions of the Great Commission.
3. Do one of the following:
a. Read Matthew 4:18-22. Briefly describe or demonstrate the biblical account of how the first disciples were called to follow Christ. Describe or demonstrate its significance and the impact it had on the future of the gospel.
Jesus called out to Peter and his brother Andrew, two fishermen as they were casting their nets. They immediately left what they were doing without question to follow.
On the same account, Jesus saw James and John and called out to them. With a similar reaction, they dropped what they were doing to follow the Lord.
Teaching point: DEMONSTRATE could mean a "drawing" or "Presentation" or "diorama" type of project that not only tells their story way back then, but also the EFFECT that their choice makes on our lives and hearts today.
Teachers can emphasize the "leaving everything" or how these first disciples became major players in the ministry of the church, especially in its starts as show in Acts 1-8 and 12. Peter is a significant leader for decades, giving the key Pentacost sermon among other leadership roles. James was the first disciples to die a martyrs death, while John was the one to live the longest, contributing the Apocalyptic book Revelation (with its message for our present and future)
b. Read Acts 2. Individually or with a group, briefly describe or demonstrate the biblical account of what took place at Pentecost. Describe or demonstrate its significance and the impact it had on the future of the gospel.
The day of Pentecost is recorded as one of the most significant acts of the bible. The Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, baptizing them with the spirit. They were able to speak in different languages (tongues) that were clearly understood by those who witnessed firsthand the power of the Lord.
Teaching point: DEMONSTRATE could mean a "drawing" or "Presentation" or "diorama" type of project that not only tells their story way back then, but also the EFFECT that their choice makes on our lives and hearts today.
The idea that Christianity was a message for "all nations" began at Pentacost, though at first, it was understood to mean that JEWS of any nation had the right to hear and understand and become Christians (at that time practiced as a sect of Judaism). However, as events unfolded (Cornelius, Paul's conversion and mission work to the gentiles) it came to be understood as the opening lines for a global message that could be preached to "every nation, kindred, tongue, and people."
4. Read Chapter 2 of the book The Acts of the Apostles by Ellen G. White titled, “The Training of the Twelve”. Individually or with a group, outline the methods Christ used to train His disciples for service.
You can read the chapter on your device (EGW app, app stores) or follow this link for the official EGW Estate writings website.
Teaching Points:
- He choose those who were not already caught up in their own philosophy
- He preached to others in their presence and an example.
- He walked and talked with each of them
- He spoke about heaven as they listened
- He did not give orders or command, but allowed them to make decisions on their own to follow him
5. Individually or with a group, discuss some of the sacrifices made by the apostles after Christ's ascension to Heaven.
Teaching Idea: use 3M sticky notes to brainstorm stories that match each of the following categories: They were beaten, put in jail, shipwrecked, even killed.
Teaching Idea: Use a whiteboard and have four ink colors represent each of the four categories: They were beaten, put in jail, shipwrecked, even killed. Brainstorm individuals who are "heroes" of the NT, and use the ink markers to circle or outline which category(ies) each person endured for the cause of Christ. Take photos of your work to scrap book or record long term.
6. Read Acts 9. Based on your reading, discuss or role-play answers to the following:
a. The significance of Saul's conversion.
There is no other place in the Bible that records such a conversion as significant as this. He experienced a one-to-one encounter with Jesus. In that time frame, Saul unlearned, and then relearned with a new name as evidence of his conversion.
His conversion, with Christ's personal command to tell everyone (even non-Jews), the door of mercy was unlocked for the gentiles. NO ONE at the time within the Christian movement (to that point a Jewish sect) could have imagined a church filled with gentiles. Now, nearly 100% of Christians are from a gentile (non-Jewish) heritage and come from every nation, kindred, tongue and people across the globe.
