While Jesus was still speaking to the crowds, His mother and brothers came and wanted to see and to speak to Him. But they were unable to reach Him because of the crowd and stood outside. They sent someone in to summon Him, and a crowd was sitting around Him. He was told, “Look, your mother and brothers are outside, asking for You.” But Jesus replied, “Who is My mother, and who are My brothers?” Looking at those seated in a circle around Him and pointing to His disciples, He said, “Here are My mother and My brothers. For whoever hears the word of God, My Father in heaven, and carries it out, is My brother and sister and mother.”
My Thoughts
This is a major shift in the “family paradigm.” I think Jesus’s response would have shocked even good church folks today. He gives us an amazing insight into what the kingdom family looks like. It’s those who are not only taking in the Word of God but obeying it as well. And who did this better than anyone else in history? That would be Jesus!
Family is also one of the major metaphors for the church.
“If I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15 ESV)
Here’s where we need to do a better job in discipleship. No Christian I know would disagree with Jesus’s definition of spiritual family (the church) on His first point. We would all stand in resounding applause at the requirement of hearing God’s Word. “Yes,” we would say, “That’s right!” But what about the second requirement? “Uh, wait a minute Jesus, you’re starting to sound like a ‘salvation by works’ kind of guy. You don’t really expect the family member to actually have to do what we hear, do You? That sounds a little legalistic to me.” But actually Jesus said that the spiritual family was identified by not only hearing the Word but doing it. It’s recorded in Scripture.
No one in history was ever more gracious than Jesus and yet He was never afraid that people might misunderstand Him to be a “Work For Your Salvation Kind of Guy.” And that’s because He came full of Grace AND Truth.
14 And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth. 16 For of His fullness we have all received, and grace upon grace. 17 For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth were realized through Jesus Christ. (John 1:14,16-17).
Notice it doesn’t say He came balanced with grace and truth. It says FULL of grace and truth. In other words one does not ever counter the other. We should never doubt for a second that we are saved by grace. But on the other hand, we better never doubt for a second that Jesus is serious about obedience either. In fact Jesus defines love for God as obedience;
“He who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me; and he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and will disclose Myself to him.” (John 14:21)
And He also makes obedience one of the requirements to be in the family of God. The old saying is true, “No Body’s Perfect.” But that doesn’t give us license to side step Jesus’s words requiring obedience. We are saved by grace but shouldn’t we be striving to do what He said? Our churches would look radically different if we got a hold of this truth.
My Story
One of the ways we facilitate obedience in our churches is to read the Word of God together and discuss it. We are hearing the Scriptures and much like in Jesus’s ministry, we provide a space to ask questions and wrestle with the text. Afterwards we take some time to pray and ask Jesus what He wants us to do with what we just heard and discussed. We come up with two goals; Following and Fishing.
The Following goal is centered around actions that will help us become better disciples of Jesus by applying what we learned. The Fishing goal is how we will engage lost people in the coming week. (Warning! Churches are tempted to jettison the Fishing goal because it’s hard. But remember, Jesus says He wants us to become both Followers and Fishers, Matthew 4:19).
The next time we meet we share how our goals went. We do this in a loving and encouraging way, spurring one another on in love and good deeds. By inserting this as an element of our fellowship that is just as important as the lesson itself, we as a church, ensure we are not only hearing the Word of God but obeying it as well.
Our Action Plan
Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us as disciple-makers help people not only hear the Word of God, but actually put it into practice as well.
Adopt the practice of pausing at the end of a lesson and pray and ask Jesus what He wants us to do
Adopt the Following and Fishing Goals
When you gather, before starting a new lesson, ask how the application goals went from the last lesson
Being part of God’s family means not only hearing His Word, but obeying it as well. By intentionally discussing and applying Scripture through practices like “Following and Fishing” goals, we can strive to embody Jesus’ definition of true spiritual kinship.
When an unclean spirit comes out of a man, it passes through arid places seeking rest and does not find it. Then it says, ‘I will return to the house I left.’ On its return, it finds the house vacant, swept clean, and put in order. Then it goes and brings with it seven other spirits more wicked than itself, and they go in and dwell there; and the final plight of that man is worse than the first. So will it be with this wicked generation.”
As Jesus was saying these things, a woman in the crowd raised her voice and said, “Blessed is the womb that bore You, and blessed are the breasts that nursed You!” But He replied, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it.”
My Thoughts
There are several passages in the Bible that scare the living socks off of me and this is one of them. Can you imagine having a demon taking up residence in you and then having it cast out only to have seven more squatters show up on the front lawn of your brain! No thank you! But is this warning only for unbelievers? I think in this day of “Don’t worry about sin, you’re in!” it’s not popular to talk about Satan’s influence in our lives, let alone someone else’s. I don’t think we should be so quick to sweep Jesus’s teaching under the rug. Some other writers of Scripture had some pretty scary things to say too;
“But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.” (1 Corinthians 9:27)
“You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace.” (Galatians 5:4)
“Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God.” (Hebrews 3:12)
“How much worse punishment, do you think, will be deserved by the one who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has outraged the Spirit of grace?” (Hebrews 10:29)
“For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world through the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would have been better for them never to have known the way of righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment delivered to them. What the true proverb says has happened to them: ‘The dog returns to its own vomit, and the sow, after washing herself, returns to wallow in the mire.'” (2 Peter 2:20-22)
Before we get into an argument about whether or not a demon can possess a believer, let’s just let these warnings sink in. Wouldn’t it be a healthy exercise to practice a little sober awareness? I try not to quickly dismiss the things Jesus says just because I think I’m “in.” That was the problem the Pharisees had. I want to think through these warnings with integrity of heart, acknowledge the fact that Satan sneaks in occasionally, and pray what Jesus commanded us to pray; “lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil.” This motivates me to be alert and to;
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. (Ephesians 6:11)
My Story
I remember the first time I engaged someone that I believed had a demon. I was called to the emergency room for one of my soldiers who had been stabbed. When I got there, The Military Police (MPs) were standing outside his room and the soldier was calmly sitting on the edge of a gurney with a massive bandage on his lower back. When I asked him what happened he said he and his wife had gotten into a spat and when he turned to walk away, his wife stabbed him in the back with a butcher knife. WOW! This was definitely some domestic violence at a whole new level for me. After I had prayed for the soldier, the MP came up to me and said his wife was in the other room if I wanted to see her. Naturally, as a chaplain, of course I wanted to pray for her as well, right? Two MPs escorted me into her room where both of her hands had been handcuffed to the gurney. Apparently she had assaulted the MPs as well. She looked at me with a big smile as though she expected me. She said, “Oh, it’s the chaplain! You’re a good looking guy.” And then she started spewing all her sexual exploits with other men! I wish I could say I confidently prayed and cast the demon out of her but actually I was so shocked and terrified, I did an immediate about face and got out of there as fast as I could. I believe in demons and I want nothing to do with them! But I’m also very aware that Satan and his minions are not always so dramatic. I think it’s important to be on the alert for the more subtle tactics he uses on us every day. Failure to do so may be an invitation to several more unwanted guests.
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas.
Teach disciples to actually pray a prayer of protection for themselves and those they disciple. (“and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil” – Matthew 6:13)
Think through the principle of war – “To know your enemy is to defeat your enemy”
Ask the question: “Have I left the door open (even a crack) for the devil to come in?”
The world of evil spirits is very real. Let’s live as faithful warriors being vigilant and alert to their schemes against us and fight back with the spiritual authority Jesus has given us.
Then some of the scribes and Pharisees said to Him, “Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.” Jesus replied, “A wicked and adulterous generation demands a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of the prophet Jonah. For as Jonah was three days and three nights in the belly of the great fish, so the Son of Man will be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth. The men of Nineveh will stand at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for they repented at the preaching of Jonah, and now One greater than Jonah is here. The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here.
My Thoughts
Wait a minute, wait a minute! You’re kidding me right?! That’s how I would have responded if I were Jesus. I mean, they had already witnessed several signs. Even one of their number, Nicodemus, a Pharisee, says;
“Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” (John 3:2).
So what’s the deal with these guys? Why are they asking for another sign and why does Jesus respond this way?
First, I think those who are resolute unbelievers are not looking for a way to believe. They are leaning toward unbelief and even if you moved heaven and earth, it wouldn’t be good enough for them. Secondly, these guys are spiritually blind. They are not seeking truth. They are in control (as much as the Romans will let them be) and living a very comfortable life. They have wealth, respect, and the “moral high ground.” Who needs the truth? (tongue in cheek). They wouldn’t recognize a sign if it came up and slapped them in the face.
And Jesus’ answer? Jesus is being Jesus. Mysterious and succinct. He definitely lets them know they are way off target. He calls them “a wicked and adulterous generation.” But then He talks about His death and resurrection using the story of Jonah. I got to be honest. I probably would have been looking at Jesus like a dog that just heard a strange whistle with my head cocked to one side. On the other hand, I hope I wouldn’t have missed healing a leper, raising the dead, turning water into wine, feeding 5000, and the list goes on. No. For the person that wants to believe, that would have been plenty. Jesus is really just giving the religious leaders what they want. Nothing.
Now what does this have to do with disciple making? I have a saying; “You can’t push a rope.” In other words, if people don’t want to believe or do something, you can’t make them. I’ve watched pushy evangelists get to the point where they have the recipient in a spiritual head lock with their high pressure sales tactics to get them to make a profession of faith. The weak and polite will play along just to get the guy off their back. The only thing that can stop these persistent apologists is a hard red light. Jesus didn’t do this. He was a “take or leave it” kind of evangelist. He wasn’t going to manipulate or make anyone do anything. Sure He contended for the faith, but it was usually when the religious leaders were attacking Him.
How did Jesus do it? How could He take a “Embrace it or erase it” attitude? Because He knew only those of whom the Father was calling would believe;
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day. (John 6:44)
My Story
This story is so ridiculous that it’s hard to believe but it’s true nonetheless. When I was a chaplain for the US Army Ranger School, I was giving a service in the Mountain Phase at Camp Merrill. After the service a ranger student came up to me and said; “Chaplain, I’m very close to believing in God!” I responded, “Good! What would push you over the edge?” He replied, “Well, when we were on patrol I prayed and told God if He was real, strike me with lightning. And a few minutes later a lightning bolt struck so close, it knocked me and some of my buddies to the ground.” I was dumbfounded! I said; “Number 1 – don’t pray those kinds of prayers around me! Second, Don’t be praying for a piano to fall out of the sky! And third – Hasn’t God shown you enough?” He said, “I’m close chaplain, I’m real close.” I walked away scratching my head.
Our Action Plan
How do we help disciple makers develop a good strategy for dealing with stubborn and unbelieving people? Here’s some ideas;
Look at all the ways Jesus deals with stubborn and unbelieving people
Give them ample warning about these kinds of people
In your times together, help them focus on how to feed the hungry and not spend much time on how to force feed the spiritually anorexic
It’s so important to teach budding disciple makers where to spend their time. Don’t let them waste too much time on those who really don’t want it or side track them from the mission.
Welcome Back! Today, we’ll be combining the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke to learn how to avoid the mistake of taking too much ownership of our ministries.
The Gospel – Matthew 12:29–37, Mark 3:27-30, Luke 11:21-22
When a strong man, fully armed, guards his house, his possessions are secure. Indeed, no one can enter a strong man’s house to steal his possessions unless someone stronger attacks and overpowers him, he takes away the armor in which the man trusted, ties up the strong man, and then he divides up his plunder.
He who is not with Me is against Me, and he who does not gather with Me scatters. Truly I tell you, the sons of men will be forgiven all sins and blasphemies, as many as they utter. But the blasphemy against the Holy Spirit will never be forgiven; he is guilty of eternal sin.” Whoever speaks a word against the Son of Man will be forgiven, but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit will not be forgiven, either in this age or in the one to come. Jesus made this statement because they were saying, “He has an unclean spirit.”
Make a tree good and its fruit will be good, or make a tree bad and its fruit will be bad; for a tree is known by its fruit. You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For out of the overflow of the heart, the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of his good store of treasure, and the evil man brings evil things out of his evil store of treasure. But I tell you that men will give an account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”
My Thoughts
Jesus is bringing a full court press against the religious leaders of His day. They had accused Him of being in league with the Devil. And now Jesus is exposing them for their real motives. He is getting after the heart. He begins by explaining His plan of attack against Satan by comparing him as a strong man to be disarmed and plundered. Jesus is stronger and has overcome him. He continues by describing the Pharisees real allegiance to Satan by ascribing the works of God to the Devil and actually committing the unpardonable sin of blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. And finally, Jesus reveals that the fruit of their spiritual debauchery is rooted in an evil heart. They are an orchard of bad trees. The religious leaders were completely out of alignment with God.
As disciple-makers (spiritual leaders), we have to ask the question, “How did they get so far off target?” Well, several times the Scripture describes these men as envious (Mark 15:10), jealous (Acts 5:17-18, 13:45), petty (Matthew 23:23), and hypocritical (Matthew 23:1-15). They were trying to protect their turf and their reputation. (John 11:45-57).
I have discovered over the years there’s a fine line between trying to protect the flock and protecting ourselves. We may step across that line when we feel like our reputation, our methods, or our influence is being questioned or down right threatened by other disciple-makers. And then all of a sudden, things like envy, jealousy, pettiness, and even bitterness creeps in and Voilà! We go into full on self preservation mode just like the Pharisees.
So how do we stay on the right side and not slip into the dark side? Here’s some things to consider;
All sheep belong to God. Hold them in an open hand.
Stay humble
Stay teachable
Know Thyself
Know the difference between a wolf and a big sheep
Stay in the Word
Be a team player
Protect but do not Possess
Die to yourself
There is an appropriate level of preservation and stewardship of one’s self and ministry. But like I said, there can be a fine line between doing what is right as a disciple-maker and being a spiritual jerk. Watch out for the warning signs (envy, jealousy, pettiness, bitterness) when associating with other servants of the Lord.
My Story
I was reading John chapter 17 and I noticed something interesting. Jesus is praying to the Father and states that the men (the 11 remaining Apostles) were given to Him by the Father. I thought that it was incredible that even the Son of God received His ministry from the Father. Jesus became a steward of the little flock that was entrusted to Him. He acknowledges that these men were a gift from God when He says; “They were Yours and You gave them to Me.” (John 17:6).
Now if men had to be given to the Son of God, I thought, where do the men and women I’ve been entrusted with come from?! The same! They are a gift from God. He places them in my hand, so to speak, to shepherd in His ways. But I also realized that I needed to keep an open hand because I may only be their mentor for a season. Then He may give them to someone else to “water” what I “planted.” (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). I called this my “Open Hand Policy.”
It wasn’t very long before my new found “Policy” was tested. A guy we just moved into Deb and I’s home was immediately invited to another disciple-makers home for life-on-life discipleship. Without notice, the guy, up and moved out. You can imagine the feeling we were having at that moment. “Wait a minute! That’s my sheep!” Actually, no. All sheep belong to Jesus. We are just the under-shepherds. Envy, jealousy, pettiness, and bitterness are not options when you realize you don’t “own” the sheep. Oh, I could have tightened my grip on what I thought was rightfully mine but I’ve found it is very painful when God has to pry your fingers away from someone He wants to give to some other disciple-maker. Keep an open hand with God’s sheep!
Our Action Plan
Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us as disciple-makers avoid the pitfall of the Pharisees;
Do I have the “Open Hand Policy” with God’s sheep?
Do a study on how the Body of Christ disciples people and not just one individual
Point people to Jesus as their Master Shepherd
Take a moment to pray and give those who have been entrusted to you to their rightful Owner. Root out any envy, jealousy, pettiness, and bitterness you may have with other brothers and sisters. Now we are in proper alignment with the Master Shepherd and can steward the flock appropriately.
The Gospel – Matthew 12:22-28, Mark 3:22-26, Luke 11:14-20
Then a demon-possessed man who was blind and mute was brought to Jesus, and He healed the man so that he could speak and see. The crowds were astounded and asked, “Could this be the Son of David?” But when the Pharisees and the scribes who had come down from Jerusalem heard this, they said, He is possessed by Beelzebul and only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, does this man drive out demons.” And others tested Him by demanding a sign from heaven.
Knowing their thoughts, Jesus called them together and began to speak to them in parables: “How can Satan drive out Satan? Every kingdom divided against itself will be laid waste, and every city or household divided against itself will not stand but will fall. If Satan drives out Satan, he is divided against himself. How then can his kingdom stand? If Satan is divided and rises against himself, how can his kingdom stand? He cannot stand; his end has come.
After all, you say that I drive out demons by Beelzebul. And if I drive out demons by Beelzebul, by whom do your sons drive them out? So then, they will be your judges. But if I drive out demons by the finger of God, His Spirit, then the kingdom of God has come upon you.
My Thoughts
If anyone should have recognized Jesus for His good works, (let alone being the Messiah,) it should have been the religious leaders of His day. How disappointing it must have been for God to show up and not only remain unrecognized but “demonized” for His work. Obviously the Pharisees were in the wrong but as Deb and I got to talking about it, we realized Jesus actually “demonized” people too.
The first example that comes to mind is when Peter rebukes Jesus for talking about the cross. Jesus says; “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” (Matthew 16:23).
The second example is when He’s saying to the Jews; “You are of your father the devil.” (John 8:44).
Before we run off and start demonizing people like Jesus and the Pharisees, let’s hit the pause button and ask some questions;
Were the Pharisees accurate in their assessment of Jesus?
Was Jesus accurate in His assessment of Peter and the Pharisees?
The Pharisees were way off and their “demonizing” was probably motivated by their jealousy and envy. On the other hand, Jesus was dead-on when He associated Peter and the Pharisees with being in league with the devil. Jesus is right and the Pharisees are wrong.
So what does all this “demonizing” have to do with disciple-making? A lot actually. How many times have we jumped the gun and demonized someone or a church for practicing different methods or different ideas than those we have? Or am I the only one who thinks I have all the right ways to do something and the most effective tools? Uh, yeah, I thought so. You struggle in this area as well. It’s one thing to acknowledge differences and it’s another to see others as inferior. And sometimes, if we are honest, we take it to a whole nother level when we say what they’re doing or saying is “of the devil!”
Jesus’ critique of others was always spot on. Mine? Not so much. So I try to be careful about bringing out the big guns and start demonizing what others are doing.
My Story
I was having lunch with a fellow disciple-maker whose ministry was way different from mine. I like to get with others that don’t use the same tools and even have different ideas about making disciples of Jesus than mine. It keeps me on my toes and I learn a lot. I may not adopt everything that they have to say, but to be honest, I have stolen most of my stuff from other people (and especially Jesus).
But on this particular day I ran into a buzz saw! As I was describing something I was doing in my ministry, he pronounced, “I think that’s of the pit of Hell!” As you can imagine I was shocked and speechless. And then we continued talking about his ministry. (I dare not say any more about mine.) The conversation ended, I was cordial but inside I was kind of ticked off.
As I drove home I realized I was going to have to revisit the “pit of Hell” statement with my brother. So a couple of days later, I gave him a call. When I told him I was offended by his statement, he was quick to apologize. The Holy Spirit had been working on him and he recognized that the statement was harsh and out of bounds. All was forgiven but it was a great lesson for me. Don’t drop the “Satan Card” unless you’re dead sure you are 100% right.
“Different” doesn’t automatically mean “Demons.”
Our Action Plan
Now it’s time for application. Here’s some ideas.
Do a self assessment. Are you quick as a disciple-maker to see other’s ideas and methods inferior?
Are you building your ministry on a negative platform? (Everyone else is doing it wrong.)
Get some time out of your silo and meet with people who make disciples but are quite a bit different from you. Learn from them.
I’ve seen that very committed spiritually minded people can be quick to demonize others. Let’s push the pause button and make sure the devil doesn’t get all that credit before we drop the “Satan Card.”
When a visionary goes beyond the God given message and the recipients start to feel oppressed and manipulated by the constant drumbeat of the dream, people can be over-catalyzed. The weariness of an “overly catalyzed” soul resonates deeply with me. I have stood on both sides of this dynamic. At times I have overstepped my bounds as a visionary. And I’ve also been the recipient of a constant campaign of an ardent champion for the cause. I understand the fatigue and disillusionment that it can cause. While the catalyst plays a vital role in any community, excessive zeal can lead to unintended consequences.
In the ever-evolving landscape of faith communities, visionaries play a crucial role. Their passion, creativity, and ability to inspire change are essential for growth and transformation. However, like any powerful force, visionary leadership can become a double-edged sword. When overused or misdirected, it can lead to unintended consequences. In this blog post, we explore seven dangers that visionaries should be aware of and actively avoid in over-catalyzing their people.
1. Being Presumptuous with the Will of God
Visionaries often walk a fine line between divine inspiration and personal ambition. While it’s essential to seek God’s guidance, presuming that every idea or vision aligns perfectly with His will can be dangerous. Over-catalyzing visionaries may rush ahead without proper discernment, assuming that their plans are unquestionably God-ordained. The result? Missteps, missed opportunities, and potential harm to the community we serve.
The sin of presumption can be clearly seen in 1 Samuel 13. King Saul has rallied the troops to fight against the Philistines. The prophet Samuel had instructed the king to wait seven days and he would make appropriate sacrifices for Saul and his army. On the seventh day, when Samuel delayed and the army started to dissipate, Saul took it upon himself to offer the sacrifices which is strictly forbidden. As soon as he finished, Samuel showed up and rebuked Saul. Saul’s excuse;
“When I saw that the people were scattered from me, and that you did not come within the days appointed, and that the Philistines gathered together at Michmash, then I said, ‘The Philistines will now come down on me at Gilgal, and I have not made supplication to the Lord.’ Therefore I felt compelled, and offered a burnt offering.” (1 Samuel 13:11-12)
In the same way a catalyst can feel compelled and overstep their responsibility and/or authority. They begin to presume God is going to do things that may not be in accordance with His will. This is a very dangerous assumption on the visionary’s part and undermines the confidence of God’s people.
Solution: Be steeped in the Word of God and pray for discernment. Seek wise counsel and remain open to correction. Humility and a willingness to adjust course are vital.
2. Exaggerating the Results
Visionaries thrive on big dreams and audacious goals. However, when the pursuit of impact overshadows the actual outcomes, problems arise. Over-catalyzing visionaries may inflate their achievements, creating unrealistic expectations. This can lead to disappointment, disillusionment, and a loss of credibility.
When the Apostle Paul was encouraging the newly planted church in Galatia he also added this sobering admonition; “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.” (Acts 14:22). Paul didn’t sugar coat and soft pedal the bad news along with the good news.
There are two sides to the coin of vision casting. The first is the exciting possibilities of what God can do. The second is the reality that God has a plan and we must obey His will no matter the outcome. The visionary needs to express both possibilities and the need to trust the sovereign hand of God for the results.
Solution: Celebrate progress, but remain grounded. Honesty about both successes and setbacks builds trust and authenticity.
3. Stretching the Word of God
The Bible is the inspired Word of God. It holds the blueprints for God’s plan and people. It gives us both direction and hope. However, Over-catalyzing visionaries may twist Scripture to fit their agenda. Whether misinterpreting passages or cherry-picking verses, this approach is misleading and undermines the integrity of the vision. It can also harm those who follow blindly.
While we cast vision for others, we dare not do what the Apostle Peter warns others had done to Paul’s writings and other Scriptures;
… just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction. (2 Peter 3:15-16)
For example, I’ve heard and even used the tactic myself of trying to speed up the return of Christ by completing the Great Commission. In other words, let’s get busy sharing the gospel so that we can reach every people group on the planet and go home to heaven. It sounds noble and we whip the disciples into a frenzy. But the fact is WE never finish the job, an angel does.
And I saw another angel flying in midheaven, having an eternal gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people. (Revelation 14:6)
The visionary must align him or herself squarely with the Scriptures. We cannot afford to add or subtract in order to make our case stronger. The power rests in the truth and the Word of God is able to stir the heart without embellishment or contrivance.
Solution: Study the Bible diligently, seek context, and interpret it faithfully. Let the Word shape your vision, not the other way around.
4. Ignoring Some of the Gifts and Contributions of the Body
Visionaries often see the big picture, but we mustn’t overlook the diverse talents and gifts within their community. Over-catalyzing leaders may bulldoze over others’ contributions, inadvertently stifling creativity and collaboration. Unity suffers when individual voices are drowned out.
The catalyst may be tempted to single-out certain gifts or individuals to see the vision through. Certainly, it’s going to take committed disciples of Jesus to see the work of God advance. But they come with all kinds of gifts, talents, and abilities. As Paul outlines in his letter to the Ephesians;
And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Christ. (Ephesians 4:11-13)
The visionary must take into account that the church, in its wholeness, will be God’s approach to fulfilling His vision.
Solution: Cultivate a culture of inclusivity. Recognize and appreciate the unique strengths each member brings.
5. Beating a Dead or Limping Horse
Visionaries are passionate about progress, but relentless pursuit can lead to burnout. Over-catalyzing leaders may push others and themselves beyond healthy limits. Like a rider flogging a tired horse, we risk exhaustion and diminishing returns. And then there are those who could care less about our vision and we relentlessly continue our campaign, thus beating a “dead horse.” But the over-catalyzing visionary’s motto is “No horse is too dead to beat.” We need to learn how to discern that we’ve reached a stopping point and push the pause button. Even Jesus knew when to say when;
“I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now.” (John 16:12)
In some cases the catalyst has gone too far and pushed too hard with willing participants. And this is where the savvy to know when to stop is essential. We can bend ‘em but not break ‘em.
Solution: Balance ambition with self-care. Rest, recharge, and recognize that sustainable growth requires pacing.
6. All Talk, Little Action
Visionaries excel at casting vision, but implementation matters. Over-catalyzing leaders may become enamored with ideas, neglecting practical steps. Promises of results without personal practice, modeling, and coaching erode trust and credibility. In the Army we wanted to make sure that we would never order anyone to do something we hadn’t done or wouldn’t do ourselves. Although this may be an unrealistic standard in every case, it was expected by leadership and subordinates alike in most situations.
Jesus chided the religious leaders with this statement;
“They tie up heavy burdens and lay them on men’s shoulders, but they themselves are unwilling to move them with so much as a finger.” (Matthew 23:4)
Jesus on the other hand, lived out His vision before the people. He modeled day-in and day-out the practical steps to reach the goal. Like Jesus, the catalyst must be willing to do the hard work we expect others to do to fulfill their vision.
Solution: Pair vision with action. Set achievable goals, create action plans, and execute them diligently with your people.
7. Unrealistic Expectations of God and His People
Visionaries often dream of miraculous breakthroughs. However, expecting constant supernatural interventions beyond what God wills can lead to disappointment. Over-catalyzing leaders may forget that God often works through ordinary means and gradual processes too. Those under the influence of a visionary that always has his head in the clouds can be perceived as chasing rainbows and unicorns instead of the will of God. We can become demanding and frustrated with the people we lead. This can only spell disaster if left unchecked. We must be grounded in the Word and will of God. We could even venture in the realm of the false prophets.
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires (2 Timothy 4:3)
As catalysts, we shouldn’t make promises that are not ours to keep.
Solution: Embrace faith without demanding constant fireworks. Trust God’s timing and appreciate the everyday miracles in the mundane.
There’s an old saying: “It takes one to know one.” You’ll notice that I have implicated myself in this article. I’ve committed all seven of the pitfalls. Deb and I were discussing this one day, and she provided a great illustration. She likened the catalyst to salt. Most recipes call for a pinch of salt to enhance flavor. However, if we use too much salt, it can ruin the dish. I confess to occasionally being a bit too salty. So as you read this, and if you feel any conviction, rest assured that the author is also repenting alongside you.
Visionary leadership is a gift, but it must be wielded with wisdom. By avoiding these pitfalls, visionaries can catalyze positive change without fleecing the flock. Let us honor the role of catalysts while remaining grounded in the Word and will of God.
Soon afterward, Jesus traveled from one town and village to another, preaching and proclaiming the good news of the kingdom of God. The Twelve were with Him, as well as some women who had been healed of evil spirits and infirmities: Mary called Magdalene, from whom seven demons had gone out, Joanna the wife of Herod’s household manager Chuza, Susanna, and many others. These women were ministering to them out of their own means. Then Jesus went home, and once again a crowd gathered, so that He and His disciples could not even eat. When His family heard about this, they went out to take custody of Him, saying, “He is out of His mind.”
My Thoughts
When you look at the “workforce” Jesus had assembled, you can’t do anything but admire the commitment, sacrifice, and work ethic of this band of brothers and sisters. Jesus had given them the invitation to follow Him and follow they did. They hit the road with Jesus as He preached the gospel of the kingdom, healed the sick, and cast out demons. They were His support crew, students, and fellow laborers in the harvest. This was no casual endeavor. They had left the comforts of family and home, hiking dusty roads, traversing stormy waters, and always being inundated with people. And when they returned home, there was no rest for the weary. They didn’t even have time to eat. The pace was so fernetic, His family had thought Jesus was crazy.
Can you imagine keeping pace with Jesus? Now we need to remind ourselves, it was for a season and they did get away for respites. (More on that later). But you have to acknowledge with awe the team, or dare I say “church,” Jesus put together. I am amazed and challenged!
When we look at the commitment and work ethic of these people, would you say you have a church like this?
My Story
One of the greatest gifts my father ever gave me was a model for a strong work ethic. Once I was “helping” him change out a transmission on a dump truck. We spent hours on our backs, laying on a gravel driveway, pulling this big bad boy out. Basically, all I was doing was handing him tools. He single handedly yanked the thing out and placed it on the ground.
Now you might be getting the idea that I was just a young boy watching his father act like superman but I was 45 and he was 65. Yeah, I didn’t quite pull my weight that day. But my dad was like that his whole life. A strong and hard worker.
Watching my dad and Jesus work that hard has really been an example for me throughout my life. I worked hard in the military and ministry. Quitting, although tempting at times, was never an option. Even this week was a banner week for Deb and I as we hosted several people in our home, shared the gospel, provided pastoral care, developed leaders, made disciples, and sent a missionary to Egypt. Not every week is like that but they are full. And I probably ought to remind you we are “retired.” 🤣
WARNING: If you are going to have a good work ethic, you also need a good “rest ethic.” As I said, more on that later.
Our Action Plan
How do we help disciples develop a good strong work ethic? Here’s some ideas;
Do a Bible Study with them on the work ethic of Jesus
Schedule times of intense ministry and see who shows up
Balance hard work with hard rest (Don’t be a slave driver)
If we’re going to be like Jesus, we need to learn how to train people to work just as hard for eternal things as they do for earthly things. We need to model the same commitment, loyalty, and sacrifice Jesus did for the kingdom.
Recently, our church went through the Book of Acts together, and several times it mentions they gathered the church together and reported all the things God had done. I haven’t shared a “report” in a long time but we want you to join us in praising God for His goodness.
Deb and I are still living in San Antonio. We’ve been here over 12 years now. We spent two and a half years renting a place in the middle of the city. Deb’s folks rented the duplex right next to us. Then we moved to the Southside of San Antonio, which everyone tells you not to do. We spent a year there and sharing the gospel with our neighbors. We affectionately called that time our tour in “Antoniostan.” Now, we’ve been living in a house for eight and a half years, and it’s the longest either of us has stayed in one house in our lives. It’s fully handicapped accessible and more than we ever deserve. One of our dear friends nicknamed it the “fancy pants house,” and that name has stuck to this day.
Chuck, our oldest son, and Jessica are in Dallas. Chuck is a systems engineer for a big company and has really come into his own as a valued asset. Jessica is a talented artist and has sold some of her pieces. Blake is in Middle School, while Charles and Ava are in Elementary School.
Wes and Tina are in Alaska. Wes is a Major working in Military Intelligence, and Tina is a talented photographer. Calvin, Addie, and Owen are being homeschooled. Samuel enjoys getting in the mix, acting like he’s in school too. (Your time will come, little one, your time will come.) They enjoy being the church in their home with their neighbors and making disciples for Jesus.
For the past 12 years, we’ve been working both locally and globally, making disciples of Jesus. Some have coined this approach as “Glocal.” Throughout these years, we’ve experienced seasons where one emphasis was stronger than the other, but now we’re about 50/50.
We host a church in our home, and everyone actively participates in making disciples. Additionally, we’re involved in planting churches that prioritize multiplying disciples for Jesus. Our goal is to see multiple spiritual generations in different relational streams. We like to say, “We seek out 4th Soil people to the 4th generation and beyond.”
Leadership Development for Churches Downstream
Our ministry extends beyond borders. We mentor leaders on Zoom who have their own ministries across the world. These leaders have established networks of multiplying churches in Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, and, of course, North America. It’s truly an amazing answer to our prayers, especially during our early years when we were asking God to use us to spread the gospel globally.
If you’re interested, I’ve put links at the bottom you can click on for our Top 12 Lessons we’ve learned during this remarkable journey over the past 12 years. I’ll be updating this list in weeks to come so stay tuned. If you’re listening, the Lessons Learned link is in the video description below. I will also be posting each of these on my Blog.
Most of you know that Chuck has been dealing with a disease called Primary Lateral Sclerosis (PLS). We’re happy to report that after our last visit to the neurologist, his lung capacity has improved by 50%, and he’s grown stronger since last year’s visit. This is very good news. Our neurologist, who is also a believer, said, “You’re a miracle! Keep praying!” So all glory to God, and thanks to all of you who have been praying all these years. God is hearing your prayers. Life is still challenging, but it’s become a very manageable rhythm and has opened many doors for the gospel.
Deb has recently struggled with chronic laryngitis. For four months, she could barely talk above a whisper. She underwent a procedure by an ENT for a temporary fix, but unfortunately, it only lasted a few weeks. There may be a more extensive surgery in her future. Please keep her in your prayers.
We’ve slowed down quite a bit. Our travels are mostly to see family, and we’re off the training and conference circuit. Chuck even takes a nap every day. So, we’re trying to act our age (and our disease).
A Gathering of Churches to Send Merari to Egypt
As we look to the future, there is a promise from God that He will “Fill our living room, it will multiply, and you will see My hand.” So it’s from our Living Room to the Nations. This has already been happening. We have one single woman headed to Egypt in March, a couple headed to St Louis in July, and a young couple possibly headed to Pakistan in a couple of years. And of course, we’ll keep plugging away at our city. We don’t see any major changes for the two of us but want to keep Jesus’ Great Commission in front of us and finish well. We want to keep pressing disciple-makers into the harvest every step of the way. We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing; loving Jesus and His people.
All for Jesus,
Chuck & Deb
Top 12 Lessons Learned Over the Last 12 Years (Click the Link)
Then one of the Pharisees invited Jesus to eat with him, and He entered the Pharisee’s house and reclined at the table. When a sinful woman from that town learned that Jesus was dining there, she brought an alabaster jar of perfume. As she stood behind Him at His feet weeping, she began to wet His feet with her tears and wipe them with her hair. Then she kissed His feet and anointed them with the perfume. When the Pharisee who had invited Jesus saw this, he said to himself, “If this man were a prophet, He would know who this is and what kind of woman is touching Him—for she is a sinner!”
But Jesus answered him, “Simon, I have something to tell you.” “Tell me, Teacher,” he said. “Two men were debtors to a certain moneylender. One owed him five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they were unable to repay him, he forgave both of them. Which one, then, will love him more?” “I suppose the one who was forgiven more,” Simon replied. “You have judged correctly,” Jesus said.
And turning toward the woman, He said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? When I entered your house, you did not give Me water for My feet, but she wet My feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not greet Me with a kiss, but she has not stopped kissing My feet since I arrived. You did not anoint My head with oil, but she has anointed My feet with perfume. Therefore I tell you, because her many sins have been forgiven, she has loved much. But he who has been forgiven little loves little.” Then Jesus said to her, “Your sins are forgiven.” But those at the table began to say to themselves, “Who is this who even forgives sins?” And Jesus told the woman, “Your faith has saved you; go in peace.”
My Thoughts
Do you think Simon got the “punchline” of the story Jesus told? I doubt it. It seems the woman was a notorious sinner. She humble herself and comes to Jesus with a lavish gift of repentance. She is acknowledging her sin and Jesus says “He who is forgiven much, loves much.”
And here’s the punchline Simon missed; Who of us has not sinned much? Who of us can stand before God and say with a straight face, “Well, I wasn’t that bad.” No, I think if we were standing in the Judge’s presence, Simon and the rest of us would quickly fall to our knees and confess our absolute depravity. We would clearly see our need for His forgiveness and comparisons would not even enter our minds.
But this is what religion without relationship does to people. We forget that there is nothing we could do to merit our salvation. We begin to compare ourselves to other “sinners” and use them to elevate ourselves. Pretty soon we are thinking God loves us because we are so “good.” We have no need for grace and mercy and extend very little to those around us.
But as disciple-makers, not only are we carefully watching for self-righteousness to rear its ugly head in our own lives, we are guarding against it in those we mentor as well. Jesus had to deal with this in His own crew several times.
Who was the greatest? (Luke 22:24-30)
Wanting to call down fire on a town. (Luke 9:51-56)
Stopping others from casting out demons. (Luke 9:49-50)
And the list goes on. As disciple-makers we have to spot it and call it out before the poison of self-righteousness sets in.
My Story
I have friends I love and respect dearly but there’s one thing that annoys them about me. I refuse to quit calling myself a “sinner.” Now, I usually include “saved by grace.” But that doesn’t matter. It still bothers them that I include being a “sinner” as part of my identity. I understand where they are coming from. They are accentuating the fact that they are new creatures in Christ and have left the old life behind. They are no longer slaves to sin and as children of God they have a new identity. They don’t want to be associated with the old life that no longer exists in their justified state.
But in my mind, maintaining the moniker of being a sinner is a state of reality. I sin every single day (much to my chagrin). And I believe I’m in good (or not so good) company. Recognizing this does not rattle my confidence in my identity in Christ. In fact, it intensifies it!
When I admit “I’m a sinner saved by grace” it brings two things in to clear focus;
I have sinned much
Therefore, I’m forgiven much
And what does Jesus say about those who are forgiven much? They love much! To me, admitting the fact that sin is still a very real part of my daily struggle and that Jesus loves me enough to die for all that wickedness within me, makes grace all that much more amazing. Reminding myself I’m a “sinner” also keeps me humble. I’m not as tempted to play the comparison game.
As a disciple-maker, I want to own my condition and make sure everyone I mentor knows I’m under no illusions that I’m any better than them. I also want them to know they are no better than anyone else either!
So I stand with the Apostle Paul under the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ when he says;
This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV)
I have been forgiven much and I love the Forgiver much!
Our Action Plan
Now we’ll look at some ideas on how to help us avoid self-righteousness and model humility for the people we are discipling.
Study 1 John together with a special focus on what John says about sin
Admit your short-comings to those you are discipling
Spend a special time of confessing your sins to one another (James 5:16)
Self-righteousness is a very dangerous sin in itself. Let’s learn to recognize it in ourselves and those we disciple and nip it in the bud.
My daughter-in-law is a gifted artist. We recently toured her in-home studio and there was a particular abstract style I really liked. The characters, although nondescript, exhibit different personalities. The earth tone she used made me reflect on what I would imagine ancient Palestine to be like. Then an idea popped into my head. “Why not commission her to do a painting of Jesus and the Twelve?” I would love the style and study the individual apostle and match them with the actual Biblical character as I reflected on their personalities. So not only did she put her skills to work but our granddaughter, Ava, helped as well! Here’s the wonderful piece of art they painted for me. Now to study and draw out the Master and His twelve Apostles. Here’s a brief description of how I will tackle each character in the painting;
Outline for each character
Short description
Why I chose that particular character in the painting
Longer description
What I admire about the character
Scripture references used
Jesus is at the center of all the disciples but I will save the best for last and why I chose this particular character to represent Him. A list of the Apostles is given in Matthew’s Gospel.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him. (Matthew 10:2-4)
We have a lot of information about a few Apostles, a little on a few more and almost none on the rest. I’m going to stick to information found in the Bible and let you research the archives on tradition on your own. I hope you find this interesting and informative as we reflect on the Biblical descriptions of those who literally changed the course of history and use Jessica and Ava’s painting to open the windows of our imagination.
One last note before we start in earnest; I’m going to use a writing style that will be both understood and enjoyed by my nine year old granddaughter. Ava, I hope you enjoy my description of your painting.
Thank you so much Jessica and Ava!
Simon Peter: The Bold and Impulsive Disciple
Simon Peter was a fisherman by trade, casting his nets into the Sea of Galilee. But when Jesus came into his life, everything changed. Jesus saw something special in Simon and gave him a new name: Peter, which means “rock.” Peter was a mix of boldness and blunders, making him one of the most colorful characters among Jesus’ disciples. I picked this character to show Simon Peter because, if you squint your eyes a little, it seems like his mouth is wide open. Peter was a talkative guy who sometimes got himself into hot water. He’d say things that made people cheer and other times made them scratch their heads.
Peter had moments of great insight and moments when he stumbled. One day, Jesus asked the disciples who they thought He was. Peter boldly declared, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus commended him for this revelation, saying that it came from God Himself. Peter was like a super hero, standing on the rock of faith.
But then, just moments later, Peter’s impulsiveness got the better of him. When Jesus explained that He would suffer and die, Peter objected, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.” Jesus responded sternly, calling Peter “Satan” because he was not thinking about God’s plan but human concerns.
Peter also witnessed a remarkable event on the Mount of Transfiguration. There, he saw Jesus talking with Moses and Elijah. Excited, Peter suggested building three shelters for them. It’s as if he couldn’t contain his awe and enthusiasm. Peter’s journey was a rollercoaster of faith, doubt, and passion—a reminder that even flawed individuals can play significant roles in God’s story.
I really like Peter because he was a brave person. Although he made plenty of mistakes, he was not afraid to try new things and follow Jesus. He was willing to lead even if people didn’t understand him. I think this is what Jesus noticed and why He picked Peter to lead the other apostles.
(Matthew 4:18, 10:2, 16:16-23, 17:1-9, Mark 3:16, 8:29-33, 9:1-8, Luke 9:19-36)
Andrew: The First Follower
Andrew was the brother of Peter. But before he met Jesus, he was already seeking spiritual truth. He had been a disciple of John the Baptist, which shows his hunger for God even before encountering Christ. One day, John pointed at Jesus and declared, “Behold the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.” Andrew and another disciple immediately started following Jesus. He was one of Jesus’ first followers. That’s why I picked the character just to the right of Jesus to represent Andrew.
Andrew wasted no time. He found his brother, Peter, and introduced him to Jesus. Imagine the excitement of following a great teacher! Both Andrew and Peter were fishermen, working together in their family business. They lived in a place called Bethsaida, and their family was tight-knit—they all shared a house, which even included Peter’s mother-in-law.
When Jesus called, Andrew and Peter left everything behind. They dropped their nets and followed Him. Andrew was part of some private discussions with Jesus, like when Jesus explained the end of the world. But he wasn’t as chatty as his brother Peter. After Jesus’ resurrection, Andrew was among those who received the Holy Spirit on Pentecost.
What I admire most about Andrew is that he took Jesus’ initial invitation seriously. Jesus had said, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Andrew lived up to that promise. He was always bringing people to Jesus.
Andrew’s story reminds us that we don’t need to be perfect to play a significant role in God’s plan. Sometimes, it’s the quiet ones who make the biggest waves.
(Matthew 4:18; 10:2, Mark 1:16, 29; 3:18; 13:3, Luke 6:14; John 1:40, 44; 6:8-9; 12:22. Act 1:13-2:4)
James: The son of Zebedee
James was also one of the twelve Apostles, which means he was part of a group chosen by Jesus to help spread His teachings. I chose this figure in your painting because he seems to have a strong face. Like someone who is determined to be faithful to Jesus.
James had a brother named John. They were like two peas in a pod! They were both fishermen, just like their dad, Zebedee. One day, Jesus came along and said to James and John, “Follow me!” It was like an exciting adventure. Jesus wanted them to be fishers of men, which meant they would help bring people closer to God. James and John left their fishing nets behind and followed Jesus everywhere.
On one occasion Jesus healed a sick girl. She was the daughter of a man named Jarius. James watched in wonder as Jesus touched her and made her well. It was another miracle!
James and John were known as the “Sons of Thunder.” Maybe they were called that because they were bold and full of energy! One time they asked Jesus if they could sit next to Him in His kingdom. The other disciples got a little upset because they thought it was very arrogant. Truth be told, they were probably mad because they didn’t ask first.
After Jesus rose from the dead, James saw Him! Can you imagine the joy? James became even bolder. He told everyone about Jesus, even when it was dangerous. Sadly, James was the first Apostle to die for his faith. But he knew that Jesus was worth it.
I like James because he was loyal to Jesus even when it cost him his life. He was committed to his teacher and friend Jesus.
(Matthew 4:21, 10:2, 17:1, 20:20, 26:37; Mark 1:19-20, 3:17, 5:37, 9:2, 10:35, 41, 13:3, 14:33; Luke 5:10, 6:14, 8:51, 9:28, 54; John 21:2; Acts 1:13,12:2)
John: The Apostle of Love
John was the younger brother of James, another special friend of Jesus. He wrote some important books about Jesus, like the Gospel of John and a few letters called Epistles. John loved to talk about loving God and other people. Because of this, people started calling him the “Apostle of Love.”
I picked the character that stands right next to Jesus. His robe is white, covering his heart. It’s like he’s saying, “I love Jesus with all my heart!”
But how did John become so close to Jesus? Well, it all started when Jesus met John by the Sea of Galilee. John was a fisherman, and Jesus invited him to join His special group of followers. John, along with his brother James, became part of Jesus’ inner circle. They saw amazing things together, like healing miracles and even a special prayer in a garden.
John and James were sometimes called the “Sons of Thunder.” Why? Well, they were a bit like firecrackers—full of energy and passion! John had to learn from Jesus how to love people the way He did. Once, they wanted to bring down fire on a village that didn’t welcome Jesus. He corrected John and told him that He came to save people, not destroy them. Another time, they stopped people from casting out demons in Jesus’ name. Jesus told him, “Don’t do that. If people use my name for good, they can’t be against me.” John made his share of mistakes but Jesus was patient with him and taught him how to love people better.
At a very sad moment, when Jesus was crucified (which means He was killed on a cross), John was there. He stood by Jesus’ side, along with some other women, including Mary, Jesus’ mother. Jesus trusted John so much that He asked him to take care of Mary. Even though Jesus had brothers, John was the one who looked after Jesus’ mom.
I like to remember John as the Apostle who learned to love from Jesus before he was called the Apostle of Love. His courage, love, and commitment to Jesus shine brightly in the pages of the Bible. So, whenever I look at your painting, I see John, and think about love, bravery, and a heart for God and people.
(Matthew 27:56, Mark 1:19-20, 3:17, 5:37, 9:2; 14:33, John 13:23, 19:26-27, 20:2-8, 20, 21:7, 20, 24; 1 John 1:1-4; Revelation 1:1-2, 9)
Philip: The Friendly Apostle
Philip was a special person chosen by Jesus to be one of His messengers. I picked the character who is standing at the end, looking friendly with his long hair and a beard like your dad’s.
Jesus walked a long way to find Philip. He already knew some other friends—John, Andrew, and Peter. But Jesus wanted Philip to be His friend too. When Jesus asked Philip to join Him, Philip said yes right away! He was great at making new friends.
Later, Jesus gave Philip and the other friends a special job. They had to go around helping people who were sick or scared. Their message was simple: “God loves you and His kingdom is here!” Philip saw Jesus do amazing things, like making blind people see and even bringing dead people back to life!
One day, there were lots of hungry people listening to Jesus. Jesus turned to Philip and asked, “Where can we get food for all these people?” Jesus already knew what He would do, but He wanted to see how Philip would respond. Philip said, “We don’t have enough money to buy food for everyone. Even if we did, it wouldn’t be enough.” But then Jesus did something incredible. He took a little bit of bread and fish and made it multiply until there was plenty for everyone to eat. He fed 5000 people with just a small amount of food!
As Jesus’ time on earth was ending, some Greek guys came to Philip. They wanted to talk to Jesus, but they weren’t Jewish, so they didn’t know if they could. Philip was kind and helpful. He took them to Jesus, connecting them with the amazing teachings of Jesus.
And that’s why we remember Philip as the friendly guy at the end of the picture—always ready to help and connect people with Jesus!
(Matthew 10:1-3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:14, John 1:43-46, 48; 6:5, 7; 12:21-22)
Bartholomew: The Hungry Apostle
Bartholomew was one of Jesus’ special friends. His name means “son of a farmer.” I picked the character who looks like he’s wearing a brown robe, looking a bit like he has dirt on him from working in the fields. Maybe Bartholomew was a farmer, or maybe not—we’re not sure. But let’s explore some stories about him and the other friends of Jesus.
Once, Bartholomew and the others were very hungry. They walked through a field of wheat and picked some to eat. But some people who thought they knew everything about God got upset. They said to Jesus, “Your friends are breaking the rules! They’re not supposed to work on the day of rest!” Jesus stood up for his friends and said, “You don’t really understand God’s rules or how to love people.”
Another time, Bartholomew witnessed a miracle at a wedding. Jesus and his friends were at a party when they ran out of wine. Jesus’ mom asked for his help. At first, Jesus hesitated, but then he decided to do something amazing. He took eight big pots of water and turned them into wine. And guess what? It was the best wine ever! The person in charge of the party was so surprised that they told everyone how special the wine was.
Bartholomew was part of these incredible moments with Jesus. He learned about love, kindness, and miracles. Even though we don’t know much about him, we remember Bartholomew as a friend who walked, ate, and drank wine with Jesus.
(Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:1-19, John 2:1-12, Acts 1:13)
Thomas: The Brave but Doubting Apostle
Thomas was a special friend of Jesus. He followed Jesus everywhere, like a loyal companion. Thomas had two remarkable qualities: he was very brave, and he loved asking questions. I chose the character that looks like he has a white patch over one eye. Maybe it was hard for him to see clearly. Sometimes he felt confident and strong, but other times he worried and wasn’t sure.
One day, Jesus wanted to visit His sick friend Lazarus. But the other friends warned Jesus that it was dangerous because some bad people wanted to hurt Him. Despite the risk, Jesus decided to help Lazarus. Thomas boldly said to the others, “Let’s go with Him. If we die, we die!” He wasn’t afraid at all.
Later, after Jesus died and miraculously came back to life, He appeared to His friends. But Thomas didn’t believe them. He insisted, “Unless I see the marks on His hands and touch them, I won’t believe.” Thomas needed proof. Then, one amazing day, Jesus stood before Thomas. He showed Thomas the scars where He was hurt. Thomas saw that Jesus was truly alive again. It was a moment of wonder and faith.
What’s great about Thomas is that he’s like many of us. Sometimes we’re brave and faithful, just like Thomas when he stood up for Jesus. Other times, we doubt and worry. But in the end, Jesus showed Thomas that He was real and that He loved him—even when he had questions.
(Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15, John 14:5, 20:24-28, 21:2)
Matthew: The Radically Changed Apostle
Matthew was one of Jesus’ friends. He used to collect money from people for the bad guys who ruled the land. People did not like him because he took more money than he should. I picked this guy on the far right because he was the last person you would think Jesus would choose. He also had many friends who did bad things. But Jesus loved him and his friends just as much as the other disciples.
One day, Jesus asked Matthew to come with Him. Matthew said yes and left everything behind. He invited Jesus and his friends to his house for dinner. The religious leaders were mad at Jesus for this. They thought they were better than Matthew and his friends. They did not want to be around them. But Jesus told them that He came to help people who needed Him, not people who thought they were perfect. He said, “People who are well do not need a doctor, but people who are sick do; I did not come to invite good people, but bad people.” This reminds us that we should love everyone and tell them about Jesus.
I admire Matthew for his loyalty and for giving up his old life to follow Jesus. He was probably the richest and most comfortable of Jesus’ friends. But he was ready to give it all up for Jesus.
(Matthew 9:9-10, 10:3, Mark 2:14-17, 3:18, Luke 5:27-32, 6:15)
James: The son of Alphaeus
James was one of the twelve friends of Jesus who helped him spread God’s message of love. He was also called James the younger because he was younger than another James who was also Jesus’ friend. He was not the same as Jesus’ brother who also had the same name. I picked the friend who is next to the last one on the right. We don’t know a lot about him and the Bible only talks about him a few times. Sometimes it’s really about his mom who also loved Jesus. Since there is not much to say about him I will tell you some amazing things that he and the other friends saw.
The first thing was when Jesus walked on water. Jesus had just finished telling many people about God and it was getting dark. He told his friends to get in a boat and go to the other side of the lake. But Jesus stayed there to talk to God in his heart. Later that night the friends saw something scary on the water. They thought it was a ghost coming to their boat. But it was actually Jesus walking on the water. He told them not to be afraid and got in the boat with them. They were all so amazed!
Another thing was when a man with a very bad skin problem came to Jesus and asked him to make him better. The friends were all very scared because the skin problem could spread to anyone who touched the man. But do you know what Jesus did? He actually reached out and touched the man and made him better. Jesus was not scared and trusted that God could make him better.
I like James because he got to see some amazing miracles that Jesus did. Can you imagine hanging out with Jesus and seeing some of the things James did?!
(Matthew 10:3, 27:56, Mark 3:18, 15:40, 16:1, Luke 6:15, Acts 1:13)
Thaddaeus: The Curious Apostle
Thaddaeus, also known as Judas (not the same as Judas Iscariot), was one of Jesus’ close followers and messengers. In your painting I chose this character because he has a unique way of standing next to Jesus—his head is slightly tilted, like he is curious about everything.
Now, let’s explore why Thaddaeus is interesting. When Jesus told stories called “parables,” Thaddaeus was always eager to learn. These parables were like mysterious messages, waiting to be understood. But not everyone got them right away.
Thaddaeus loved asking questions. And guess what? Jesus loved answering them! He said, “To you, my friends, I reveal the mysteries of God’s kingdom. But those who don’t ask questions get stories in riddles.”
So, every time Thaddaeus wondered, “Why did Jesus say that?” or “What does this mean?” Jesus patiently explained. Thaddaeus felt like he was unwrapping precious gifts.
After Jesus came back to life (yes, that’s a whole other adventure!), Thaddaeus and the other disciples had another question. They asked Jesus, “Are you going to make our land better now? Will You get rid of all our enemies?”
Jesus smiled and replied, “My dear friends, it’s not for you to know exactly when things will change. But listen carefully. You’ll receive a special power from God—the Holy Spirit. And you’ll become my messengers, spreading love and good news everywhere—from our hometown to faraway lands.”
So, Thaddaeus was always asking questions and being curious. He became a special messenger of Jesus with his heart full of love for God and people.
Remember, my granddaughter, asking questions is like an amazing key unlocking the best mysteries and secrets. Keep asking lots of questions but keep a simple faith. Maybe you’ll discover some of the secrets of the Kingdom of God too!
(Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 1:10-12, 3:16-19; Luke 6:14-16; John 14:22, Acts 1:6-8, 13)
Simon the Zealot: The Apostle Who Loved His Enemies
Simon was also a special friend of Jesus and helped spread His teachings. But Simon didn’t agree with the way Jesus treated His enemies. I picked this character because it looks like his hair is sticking straight up like an angry cat. Let’s find out more about him!
Simon belonged to a group called the “Zealots.” They were like under-cover soldiers who fought for what they believed in. They had a strong faith in God and were very patriotic. These Zealots didn’t like the Romans, who ruled their land. They wanted their country to be free and peaceful.
Simon used to be really angry at the Romans. He thought they were bad and wanted to get rid of them. But then something amazing happened. Jesus came into Simon’s life. Jesus taught everyone about love, kindness, forgiveness, and even love for their enemies. He said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who treat you badly.” This was a big deal because most people didn’t think that way.
One day, some religious leaders tried to trick Jesus. They asked Him, “Should we pay taxes to the Roman Emperor?” Jesus was clever. He asked for a coin and said, “Whose picture is on this coin?” They said, “It’s Caesar’s.” Jesus replied, “Give Caesar what belongs to him, and give God what belongs to God.” It was like saying, “Be a good citizen, but also remember to love God.” That had to blow Simon’s and everyone else in the crowd’s minds.
I like Simon because he listened to Jesus and changed his ways. Instead of hating the Romans, he started loving everyone. He even taught others to do the same. Simon’s devotion turned from anger to love. He became a hero in a different way. Simon the Zealot learned that love is stronger than hate.
(Matthew 5:43-44, 10:4, 22:20-21, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:1, Acts 1:13 )
Judas Iscariot: The Apostle of Betrayal
Judas Iscariot is a name you might have heard before. He’s famous for something not-so-great: betraying Jesus. But let’s start from the beginning.
Jesus had a special group of followers called the Twelve Apostles. They were like his closest friends and helpers. Judas was one of them. Imagine being part of this special team, traveling with Jesus, and learning from him! Judas was a bit different from the others. He was probably more sophisticated (fancy word for “fancy”) and not from the same place as the rest. But here’s the thing: Judas was pretending. That’s why I chose this character. It looks like he’s wearing a mask. He acted like a good friend of Jesus, but deep down, he had other plans.
One day, Judas made a secret deal with some important religious leaders. He agreed to help them catch Jesus. Can you believe it? The person who followed Jesus, saw his miracles, and listened to his teachings was now going to betray him! The religious leaders gave Judas 30 pieces of silver (that’s like getting paid for doing something bad). Imagine having a bag of shiny coins, but they felt heavy with guilt. Judas led the leaders to Jesus. And how did he do it? With a kiss! Imagine your friend coming up to you and giving you a friendly kiss, but secretly planning something hurtful. That’s what Judas did.
Even when Judas betrayed him, Jesus didn’t get angry. He called Judas “friend.” Jesus loved everyone, even those who hurt him. He showed us how to love our enemies, just like he taught. After the betrayal, Judas felt terrible. He tried to give back the silver coins, but it was too late. He couldn’t undo what he had done. Judas’ story reminds us that actions have consequences. It’s important that we stay true to God, our family, and our friends. And even when someone we think is our friend betrays us, we should follow Jesus’ example of kindness and forgiveness.
(Matthew 10:4, 26:14-16, 47-50, Mark 3:19, 14:10-11, 45, Luke 22:3, 47-48, John 6:71)
Jesus Christ: The Son of God
I’ve saved the best for last, the Lord Jesus Christ Himself. I chose the character in the middle. He is not only at the center but He appears to be in front of His followers. He is also called the Son of God because God sent Him to earth with a special mission. Let’s explore His story!
God loved us so much that He sent His only Son, Jesus, to Earth. Jesus was born in a miraculous way. And just like you, Jesus grew up as a child, playing and learning.
When Jesus turned 30 years old, He left His job as a carpenter and began traveling through places around Galilee and Judea. His message was exciting: God’s kingdom is near! People were curious. Was Jesus a king? But Jesus was different—he healed the sick, showed kindness, and taught important lessons.
Long before Jesus arrived, God had told special messengers called prophets that a Messiah (a chosen One) would come to save His people. People thought the Messiah would fight against their enemies, the Romans. But Jesus surprised everyone. He said He came to save them from God’s judgment for the wrong things they had done.
Jesus had a group of close friends called the Twelve Apostles. They learned from Him and helped spread the good news about God’s love. These are the men you and mom painted in this wonderful painting.
Sadly, some religious leaders and the Romans didn’t like Jesus’ message. They arrested Him and hung Him on a cross. But here’s the amazing part: God knew this would happen. He wanted Jesus to take the punishment for all our wrongs. Jesus died on that cross to pay the price for our mistakes so we wouldn’t have to. But He didn’t stay dead! In three days He rose from the dead and proved He is King over all creation.
The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.” This means that if we believe in Jesus and follow Him, we can have eternal life with God.
I love Jesus so much because He took on the punishment I deserved and is a great example for how to live life. I’ve been His follower for over 40 years and although it hasn’t been easy, it has been extremely rewarding. I love telling others about Him.
And that is the story of Jesus and His Twelve Apostles that you and your mom painted. Thank you so much for helping to create this. It hangs in my office so I can look at it everyday. This is to remind Nana and I that we are God’s special messengers of Jesus and His love. I hope one day you will become one too.
(Isaiah 7:14, 9:6-7, Micah 5:2, Matthew 1:18-25, 4:23, 9:35, 21:5, 23:3-4, Mark 6:3, 15:1-47, Luke 1:26-38, 2:1-20, 40, 3:23, 24:1-12, John 3:16, 12:15, Romans 3:23, 5:8, 6:23, Revelation 17:14, 19:16)
Andrew: The First Follower
James: The son of Zebedee
John: The Apostle of Love
Philip: The Friendly Apostle
Bartholomew: The Hungry Apostle
Thomas: The Brave but Doubting Apostle
Matthew: The Radically Changed Apostle 
James: The son of Alphaeus
Thaddaeus: The Curious Apostle
Judas Iscariot: The Apostle of Betrayal
Jesus Christ: The Son of God
ToBeLikeJesus 