Note: This is a study from the book 12 Ordinary Men by John McArthur an excellent book. This is an outline from Adult Bible Fellowships of First Baptist Church Orion. This is not original but worth posting for study.
Twelve Ordinary Men
Introduction to a Study of the 12 Apostles
Remember, dear brothers and sisters, that few of you were wise in the world’s eyes or powerful or wealthy when God
called you. Instead, God chose things the world considers foolish in order to shame those who think they are wise. And
he chose things that are powerless to shame those who are powerful. God chose things despised by the world, things
counted as nothing at all, and used them to bring to nothing what the world considers important. As a result, no one
can ever boast in the presence of God. - I Corinthians 1:26-29
I. Christ’s calling of the Twelve was not what we might have _____________.
a. Note the ___________ in which they were chosen.
b. Christ’s choice exemplified the character of the _____________
itself.
Luke 17:20-21 Now when He was asked by the Pharisees when the kingdom of God would come, He answered them and said, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; (21) "nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you."
Zech 4:6 So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
II. Christ’s calling of the Twelve followed a definite ____________.
a. Phase one was a call to _______________ (John 1:35-51).
b. Phase two was a call to _______________ (Luke 5).
c. Phase three was a call to ___________________ (Matthew 10:1-4).
d. Phase four was a call to __________________. (Acts)
III. Some important things to understand about phase three.
a. The T________. Luke 6:12 introduces the call to apostleship with the phrase “And it was at this time…” which
refers back the preceding account of the plot to ____ Jesus. His decision to focus His teaching efforts now on the
Twelve was a direct response to this rejection.
b. The T________. The most striking thing about the twelve was that there really wasn’t anything particularly
__________ about them. They were not superhuman or even extraordinary. The only thing that set them apart
and made them great leaders was that they were chosen by a great Teacher precisely because they were
ordinary.
James 5:17 Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months.
MSG “human just like us”
c. The T_________. He considered this an important decision and spent an entire night ___________ over it
(Luke 6:12). The Greek is very striking here: it emphasizes that Jesus toiled through the whole night in
communion with God. At this point Jesus was an itinerate preacher and rabbi and was calling them leave their
everyday routines and live with him for a period of intensive training.
Luke 6:12 Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God.
d. The T_____. They were to be his delegates or representatives and witnesses to His resurrection after He
returned to heaven (although they did not understand that at all at the point of their calling). They were to have
a supernatural ____________ ministry that was to be accompanied by __________. Keep in mind phase four of
their calling!
Act 2:42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Eph 4:11-12 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, (12) for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ,
e. The ____________. As noted above, they certainly had the best Instructor for this training, but it was still not
an easy process. The difficulty was due to their lack of:
a). _____________________________________________________________
b.) _____________________________________________________________
c.) _____________________________________________________________
d.) _____________________________________________________________
e.) _____________________________________________________________
2Co 12:9 And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
