Chapter 11

Lesson 1

Twelve Apostles

Twelve is an important number.

• There were twelve tribes of Israel, God’s chosen people.

• The tribes descended from the twelve sons of Jacob.

• Jesus chose twelve apostles. • The choice of twelve should remind us that

Christ’s Church is a continuation of God’s chosen people-the foundation of the new people of God, the Church.

Turn to page 63 in your textbook.

Jesus started the Catholic Church.His aim was to save people and lead them to

heaven.Christ himself was the leader, but because he

would be returning to heaven at the end of his earthly life, he chose Peter to be the visible head of the Church on earth.

He also chose the twelve apostles, who would seek out new members, the Christian converts of the early Church.

The Twelve Apostles

The calls:• Jn 1:35-51• Mk 1:16-20• Lk 5:24-28We see in these readings

how Christ called the Twelve

The call, or vocation to the priesthood, is a mystery of God’s choice.

In the Bible, Peter’s name is always listed first.

The Need for the Apostles.

Read Mt 9:35-38.

Jesus is our Good Shepherd. When he saw the people so sad and confused, he felt sorry for them. He called laborers, his apostles, to gather his people.

What does it mean for Jesus to make the apostles shepherds?

Read Jn 10:11; Lk 15:3-17; Mt 6:34.

The Twelve Apostles• Simon Peter, first Pope• Andrew, brother of Peter• James the Greater, son of

Zebedee• John, son of Zebedee• Philip• Bartholomew (also know as

Nathanael)• “Doubting” Thomas• Matthew (also known as Levi)• James the Less, son of Alphaeus• Jude Thaddaeus, brother of

James the Less• Simon the Cananaean• Judas Iscariot

Where can you be apostles in the world today?

Where can you bring the gospel?

What challenges would you face?