The Gospel Project Unit 20:4 Jesus Calls Disciples
Today’s Bible Lesson is from Matthew 4.
Have you ever thought about why Jesus called 12 disciples? Or why he called the specific 12 that he chose? They were not well liked, well positioned, or well spoken people. They were an ordinary group of men, with nothing special to merit their choosing. Yet Jesus chose them.
Did Jesus need disciples? He is God, of course He did not need the help of disciples to do the work He set out to do. Yet he chose them. Jesus, chose 12 unlikely men to follow him, bear witness of His life, the message that he came to proclaim and the greatest act of love anyone could ever imagine. Jesus called those 12 disciples to witness his presence, power, and promised eternal life.
“Does God need us as disciples? No. But that does not minimize the critical kingdom work we are called to do. For disciples of Jesus are God’s chosen mechanism to bring about what He desires—the gospel going forth into the world and people trusting in Christ for forgiveness of sin and eternal life as God’s children.” – Brian Dembowczyk, Gospel Project Blog- Jesus Called Disciples
Big Picture Question: Why did Jesus become human? Jesus become human to obey His father’s plan and rescue sinners.
Key Passage: John 3:30- “He must increase, but I must disagree.”
Worship ideas that connect with today’s lesson:
- Sold Out by Hawk Nelson
- Way Maker by Bethel Music
- I Will Follow You by Chris Tomlin
- I Have Decided to Follow Jesus– introduce your kids to this old school Sunday School song
Questions to discuss with your kids after watching the lesson:
What did Jesus say He would teach His disciples to do? (fish for people, Matt. 4:19)
What were some things Jesus’ disciples left behind to follow Him? (nets, boats, family, jobs, and so forth; Matt. 4:20-22; 9:9)
With whom did Jesus eat and spend His time? (sinners and tax collectors, Matt. 9:10)
Why does Jesus love sinners? Help kids understand that everyone is a sinner, and Jesus loves all people because we are created in God’s image. Jesus wants to see people repent of sin, turning to God to be saved. He loves sinners and rescues them. He helps us turn away from sin and glorify God instead.
What might we lose by following Jesus? Guide kids to talk about the cost of loving and obeying Jesus. Help them think about the ways others might react to them, the influence they may lose, or the persecution they may face. Remind the kids that, in some places, following Jesus may even cost a person her life.
What can we gain by following Jesus? Discuss the unending joy and eternal life we have with God when we have faith in Jesus. Point kids to the hope they have in life: that we gain new purpose, can resist sin, and are filled with the Holy Spirit’s power. Point kids also to the hope we have for the future: that Jesus will return and fix all that sin has broken. On that day, we will reign with Christ as children of God.
Take-away • Jesus called disciples to follow Him. If we have faith in Jesus, we are His disciples as well. God forgives us and gives us power to live for Him. That means we can call people to follow Jesus, too!