Simon Peter
Name: Simon
Peter, also well-known as Peter, was the son of John. Occupation:
Peter was a fisherman by trade. Outstanding
characteristics: his impulsiveness; later, he became very bold
indeed in preaching about Jesus. Major Events in his life: One
of the Three Disciples in a core group special to Jesus; recognized Jesus as
the Messiah; disowned Christ and repented; preached Pentecost sermon; a
leader of the Jerusalem church; baptized Gentiles; wrote 1 Peter and 2
Peter, books in the New Testament. What Jesus Said about him:
Named him 'Peter', means 'rock'; called him 'Satan' when he urged Jesus to
reject the cross; said he would become a fisher of men; he received
revelation from God; he would disown Jesus three times; he would later be
crucified for his faith. Key Lesson from his life: Christians
falter at times, but when they return to Jesus, He forgives them and
strengthens their faith. Selected Scripture: Matthew 4:18-20, Mark
8:29-33, Luke 22:31-34, Acts 10:1-11:18
James
Name:
James, son of Zebedee, he and his brother, John, were called the 'Sons of
Thunder'; Occupation: Fisherman. Outstanding
Characteristics: Ambitious, short-tempered, judgmental, deeply
committed to Jesus; Major Events in his life: James was also
in the core group of three special Disciples; he and his brother, John,
asked Jesus for places of honor in His kingdom; wanted to call fire down to
destroy a Samaritan village; wrote the New Testament book of James;
first disciple to be martyred; What Jesus Said about him:
called James and John 'Sons of Thunder'; said James would be a fisher of
men; that he would drink the cup Jesus drank; Key Lesson from his
life: Christians must be willing to die for Jesus; Selected
Scripture: Mark 3:17, Mark 10:35-40, Luke 9:52-56, Acts 12:1,2
John
Name: John,
son of Zebedee, James' brother, and 'the disciple whom Jesus loved'.
Occupation: Fisherman. Outstanding Characteristics:
ambitious, very judgmental, but later on very loving and humble. Major
Events in his life: Third disciple in the core group that was
special to Jesus and asked by Jesus to go up the mountain; asked Jesus for a
special place of honor in His kingdom; a leader in the church in Jerusalem;
wrote the Gospel of John, 1,2,3 John, and Book of Revelation. What
Jesus Said about him: Called him on of the 'Sons of Thunder'; said
he would be a great fisher of men; that he too would drink the cup Jesus
drank; and he would take care of Jesus' mother after His death. Key
Lesson from his life: The transforming power of the love of Christ
is available to all. Selected Scripture: Mark 1:19, Mark 10:35-40,
John 19:26,27, John 21:20-24
Andrew
Name:
Andrew, Peter's brother. Occupation: Fisherman.
Outstanding Characteristics: Eager to bring others to Jesus Christ.
Major Events in his life: Accepted John the Baptist's
testimony about Jesus; told Peter about Jesus; he and Philip told Jesus that
Greeks wanted to see him. What Jesus Said about him: Andrew
would become a fisher of men. Key Lesson from his life:
Christians are to tell other people about Jesus. Selected Scripture:
Matthew 4:18-20, John 1:35-42 & 6:8,9, John 12:20-22
Philip
Name:
Philip Occupation: Fisherman. Outstanding
Characteristics: Questioning attitude. Major Events in his
life: Told Bartholomew about Jesus; wondered how Jesus could feed
the 5000; asked Jesus to show his followers God the Father; he and Andrew
told Jesus that Greeks wanted to see Him. What Jesus Said about him:
Asked if Philip realized that to know and see Him was to know and
see the Father. Key Lesson from his life: God uses our
questions to teach us about Himself. Selected Scripture: Matthew
10:3, John 1:43-46 & 6:2-7, John 12:20-22, John 14:8-11
Bartholomew
Name:
Bartholomew, also known as Nathanael. Occupation: unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Honesty and straightforwardness.
Major Events in his life: Initially rejected Jesus because Jesus
was from Nazareth but did acknowledge Him as the 'Son of God' and 'King of
Israel' when they met. What Jesus Said about him: Called him a
'true Israelite' and a man 'in whom there is nothing false'. Key
Lesson from his life: Jesus respects honesty in people even if they
challenge Him because of it. Selected Scripture: Mark 3:18, John
1:45-51, John 21:1-13
Matthew
Name:
Matthew, also known occasionally as Levi. Occupation: Tax
collector. Outstanding Characteristics: Despised outcast
because of his dishonest career. Major Events in his life:
Abandoned his corrupt and financially profitable way of life to follow
Jesus; invited Jesus to a party with his notorious friends; wrote the Gospel
of Matthew. What Jesus Said about him: Called him to be a
disciple. Key Lesson from his life: Christianity is not for
people who think they're already good; it is for people who know they've
failed and want help. Selected Scripture: Matthew 9:9-13, Mark
2:15-17, Luke 5:27-32
Thomas
Name:
Thomas, alias 'The Twin'. Occupation: unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Courage and doubt. Major Events
in his life: Suggested the disciples go with Jesus to Bethany--even
if it meant death; asked Jesus about where he was going; refused to believe
Jesus was risen until he could see Jesus alive and touch His wounds.
What Jesus Said about him: Said Thomas believed because he actually
saw and touched Jesus after the resurrection. Key Lesson from his
life: Even when Christians experience serious doubts, Jesus reaches
out to them to restore their faith. Selected Scripture: Matthew
10:3, John 14:5 & 20:24-29, John 21:1-13
James
Name:
James, the son of Alphaeus. Occupation: unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Unknown. Major Events in his
life: Became one of Jesus' Disciples. What Jesus Said about
him: Unknown. Key Lesson from his life: Unknown.
Selected Scripture: Matthew 10:3, Mark 3:18, Luke 6:15
Thaddaeus
Name:
Thaddaeus, also Judas son of James. Occupation: Unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Unknown. Major Events in his
life: Asked Jesus why he would reveal Himself to His followers and
not to the world. What Jesus Said about him: Unknown.
Key Lesson from his life: Christians follow Jesus because they
believe in Him; they do not always understand the details of God's plan, but
they follow and they believe in faith. Selected Scripture: Matthew
10:3, Mark 3:18, John 14:22
Simon
Name:
Simon, also known as Simon The Zealot. Occupation: Unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Fierce patriotism. Major
Events in his life: Became a disciple of Jesus. What Jesus
Said about him: Unknown. Key Lesson from his life: If
we are willing to give up our plans for the future, we can participate in
Jesus' plans. Selected Scripture: Matthew 10:4, Mark 3:18, Luke
6:15
Judas
Name:
Judas, also Judas Iscariot. Occupation: Unknown.
Outstanding Characteristics: Treacherous and greedy. Major
Events in his life: Became on of Jesus' Disciples; betrayed Jesus;
killed himself. What Jesus Said about him: Called him a
'devil'; said Judas would betray Him. Key Lesson from his life:
It is not enough to be familiar with Jesus' teachings. Jesus' true
followers love and obey Him. Selected Scripture: Matthew 26:20-25,
Luke 22:47,48, John 12:4-8
