How Jesus Turned the World Upside Down
Devotional
Who did Jesus choose to change the world? Hint: He didn’t pick any A-players. They were just ordinary guys. Jesus selected 12 ordinary men to replace the leadership of the 12 tribes of Israel. None of them were known for being theologians or for their scholarship but were outsiders of the religious establishment. And yet, they helped Him turn the world upside down! In this teaching, we discover how Jesus’ selection of the ordinary to do the extraordinary is a part of God’s divine strategy.
13 Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. 14 He appointed twelve that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach 15 and to have authority to drive out demons. 16 These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter), 17 James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means “sons of thunder”), 18 Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot 19 and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
MARK 3:13-15
Questions:
- What do you take away from Jesus’ prayer in this passage?
- What do you think about the fact that Jesus gave his disciples nicknames?
- How were you called into His ministry?
- Jesus called his apostles to be with him and to proclaim the Gospel? How do you think you're doing in these two areas?
- In what ways do you think God has used your weaknesses for his glory?
- In this season of your life, how can you improve in the area of prayer?
Practice The Way of Jesus:
In Matthew 28:18-20, Jesus calls the apostles to make disciples of all nations and teach them the commands of God. The first step to becoming a disciple is encountering the body of Christ and hearing the gospel proclaimed. For this week’s practice, look to invite at least 12 people to church so that they can be among the body and hear the gospel proclaimed.