1)Listen to Podcast
2) GG Questions
10/20/2019
Ordinary men: James the brother of John
1. Following the Followers : Who were Jesus’ twelve disciples (Matt. 10:1-4)? Which men stand out to you from this list? Before we begin this series and examine closely the passages which mention them, what do you think we will learn from studying their lives? What do you think being a disciple meant to those twelve?
2. Jamestown : What was James’ job pre-Jesus? How did this profession and his unique call experience (Luke 5:1-11) give a deeper meaning to his future leadership role in the church (Matt. 4:19)? How does the account in Luke 9:51-56 confirm Jesus’ special name for James and his brother John in Mark 3:17? How is such a personality useful in the church and how can it be a detriment?
3. Inner Three : A handful of passages in the gospels seem to indicate that Jesus had an inner circle, even among the disciples. Who composed this inner circle (Matt. 17:1; Luke 8:51; Mark 14:33)? Why would Jesus select a small handful of people to specially pour into? Why do you think he brought aside these men in the above stories? What did they need to learn from Jesus and what did Jesus need from them?
4. Dubious : Read carefully the account often titled ‘A Mother’s Request’ in Matthew 20:20-28. What did she want for her two boys (and they wanted for themselves! cf. Mark 10:35-37)? Do you think their unique personality and closeness to Jesus inspired this request? Are there any lessons you find especially difficult to learn because of your unique personality? What lesson did Jesus try to impress upon them in this moment (Matt.
20:25-28)?
