Can your kids list the disciples? You can help your children learn more about Jesus as you teach kids more than just the 12 disciples’ names.
Image: “The Miracle of the Loaves and Fishes,” James Tissot, c. 1886/1894, Public Domain.
I love biographies. They are such a neat way to see how God works in the lives of ordinary people, for the good of his kingdom. Christian biographies are also a wonderful way for our kids to enter a story, to learn what it was like to learn during a particular time period, and to meet people who changed the course of history.
No one, in the entire history of the whole world, has changed history like Jesus. Even secular history acknowledges this truth. Our entire system of time revolves around the birth of Christ. (Though, the dating is a little off, since Jesus was likely born between 6 and 4 BC).
Jesus, though, isn’t just a world-changing historical figure. He is the Son of God and God the Son, come to earth to be born fully God and fully man. Then, Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life. He spent around three years teaching others to live for God. At the Cross, Jesus took on himself the sin of all who believe in him and repent, and he died to pay the price for that sin. Jesus was buried, and three days later he rose from the dead. After 40 days, during which he appeared to over 500 witnesses, the Risen Jesus ascended to heaven where he sits at the right hand of the Father. One day, Jesus will return for his people, and he will judge the living and the dead.
During his three year ministry, Jesus had many followers who believed in him as the promised Christ, who supported his ministry, and who learned from him.
Jesus called to himself twelve specially chosen men who became his closest disciples, the Twelve. The biographies of these men are a wonderful way for our kids to learn more about the life of Jesus.
The 12 Disciples’ Names
Can your kids list the 12 disciples’ names?
If they know much about the life of Jesus, they probably know the names of Peter, John, James, and Matthew. What about the rest of these humble, Jewish men?
Actually, the names of the disciples can be a little confusing. That’s because some of them had more than one name. Sometimes, the list of the 12 disciples in each Gospel doesn’t correspond to the list of the disciples’ names in the other Gospels.
For instance, one of Jesus’ disciples is named: Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus, not Iscariot. That’s three first names and one title. Do your kids know why he had such a long name? Do they know how Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus, not Iscariot interacted with Jesus, how his life was changed as he followed the Christ, or what history reports he did as an apostle after Jesus died, rose again and ascended to heaven?
Do your kids know that there were three sets of brothers who followed Jesus? Only two pairs of brothers are both members of the Twelve. But, is seems that as James the Younger followed Jesus, he also brought along his brother who was named Joses–or Joseph. Their mom, Mary, followed Jesus, too.
In fact, there were a number of named women who followed Jesus, supporting his ministry and helping to care for Jesus, the Twelve Disciples, and Jesus’ many followers. The brothers James and John also brought their mother, named Salome, with them on at least some of their journeys. Do your kids know the women who faithfully believed in and followed Jesus?
The eleven faithful disciples believed in Jesus, repented of their sins, and were saved for all eternity. When Jesus called the disciples to follow him, one disciple was a terrible thief while another was a declared terrorist. Yet, their salvation in Jesus instantly changed their identities. Matthew was no longer a thief. Simon was no longer a terrorist. Instead, they were redeemed by the Lord of the Universe.
Jesus’ disciples were forever changed by their Savior. In turn, they became Jesus’ apostles to the the world. These once-ordinary men went into the world and shared the Good News of Jesus, becoming fishers of men–just as Jesus promised they would.
Who Were the Disciples? tells the fascinating stories of Jesus’ closest friends. Your 7-12 year olds will learn how following Jesus changed the disciples’ lives. Your kids will also learn how following Jesus will change their own lives.
More Than a List of the Disciples
Teach your kids more about the disciples than just their names.
In a fun and engaging tone, the Christian biography Who Were the Disciples? will take your kids through the lives of Jesus’ twelve disciples.
Who Were the Disciples? chapters:
- Chapter One: Calling the Fishers of Men
- Chapter Two: Simon Peter, the Rock
- Chapter Three: Andrew, the Bringer of People
- Chapter Four: James, the Son of Thunder
- Chapter Five: John, the Beloved Disciple
- Chapter Six: Philip, the Slow of Heart
- Chapter Seven: Nathanael Bartholomew, the True of Heart
- Chapter Eight: Matthew Levi, the Tax Collector
- Chapter Nine: Thomas, the Twin
- Chapter Ten: James, the Younger
- Chapter Eleven: Judas Lebbaeus Thaddaeus, not Iscariot
- Chapter Twelve: Simon the Zealot
- Chapter Thirteen: Judas Iscariot, the Betrayer
- Timeline
Bible Resources for Your Kids
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Christian Biographies for Kids | Christian History for Kids | Theology for Kids
Christian History Matters for Our Kids.
History matters. Now, more than ever, we see how important it is for our children to know and understand history and the Bible.
Here’s why:
- God is the sovereign ruler of all things. It’s important for our kids to see his hand in the history of nations and in the lives of both peasants and kings.
- Christian history is the story of our family history. Our kids get to see how people who love Jesus follow him.
- Understanding history can help our kids learn historic and biblical theology. They learn what the Bible says and what that means for us. They also see when the study of Scripture has taken important turns that have changed the Church.
- Reading Christian biographies and history can be a wonderful way for kids to think outside their own time and culture. God’s Church spans centuries and includes people from every nation.
- Christian biographies help kids consider their own faith, walk with Jesus, and the impact their witness may one day have on others–and on history.
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