1. Listen to Podcast
2. Growth Group Questions
Disciples – Table Discussion
1. Nicknames: We’ve given each of the disciples we’ve looked at in this series a nickname: James the brother of
John (Mark 10:35-37), Philip the bean counter (John 6:5-7), Andrew the significantly insignificant (John
1:41-42), Nathanael the forthright (John 1:47), Peter the impulsive (Luke 22:31-32), and (here’s extra credit!)
John the transformed (Luke 9:49, 54). Each disciple had a unique personality. Each disciple was challenged,
called, and equipped to become the best version of themselves. Reflect on the nicknames we’ve given each
disciple and consider how each encapsulates the central story of their transformation.
2. The Twelve: We learned early on in this series that “disciples” are those who be with Jesus, become like
Jesus, and do what Jesus did (Acts 4:13; 1 John 2:6). Does this help simplify for you what it means to be a
Christian? Mark 3:14 provides another interesting detail about titles for Jesus’ twelve: “he appointed twelve,
whom he also named apostles.” The word apostle means ‘sent one’ (Matt. 28:18-20; John 20:21; Acts 1:8).
What would change for you in your Christian life if you were to think of your identity as: “I am a disciple and I
am an apostle”?
3. Call Narrative: In biblical studies, scholars use the term “call narrative” to talk about how characters in the Bible
were called into God’s service or into a relationship with him. Think of some famous call narratives (Abraham,
Moses, Isaiah, Paul). We’ve spent a lot of time on the call narratives of the disciples this series (John 1:35-42,
43-51; Luke 5:1-11). What is your call narrative? What persons and events did God use both to bring you to a
saving knowledge of Himself and also to direct you toward fruitful service for Him?
4. The Other Six: We only had time this series to look at half of Jesus’ disciples. Let’s take a quick look at the
other half in this last question of the series! We do not know very much about Thaddaeus or James the son of
Alphaeus. Matthew the tax collector (Matt. 9:9-13) and Simon the zealot we know only through their titles.
That leaves Thomas (John 20:24-29) and Judas Iscariot (John 12:3-8; 13:21-30). From the handful of
references provided and their unique titles, what can we learn from their lives, both characteristics to emulate
and actions to avoid?
