Single lesson
Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles
Matthew 10:1–4; Mark 3:13–19; Luke 6:12–16
In these passages, children hear how Jesus prayed, called disciples, chose twelve, and gave them a purpose. The lesson helps them notice what Luke, Mark and Matthew each say, without mixing all the details into one single timeline.
Before you teach
Luke says Jesus spent the night in prayer to God, and when day came he chose twelve from his disciples and named them apostles. Mark says Jesus called those he wanted and appointed twelve to be with him and be sent out. Matthew names the twelve and says Jesus gave them authority over unclean spirits and sickness.
Students will be able to describe what Luke, Mark and Matthew each add about the choosing of the twelve apostles, and name several apostles from the lists.
Welcome: Listen for what each Gospel says
4 minTell the class they will hear three short Bible accounts about the twelve apostles. Explain that Luke tells about Jesus praying and choosing, Mark tells why Jesus appointed the twelve, and Matthew gives a list of names and the authority Jesus gave them. Ask children to listen for those special details.
Luke 6:12, Luke 6:13, Mark 3:14, Mark 3:15, Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:2
Read and explain: Luke’s account of prayer and choosing
7 minRead Luke 6:12–13 aloud. Point out the order Luke gives: Jesus went out to the mountain to pray, continued all night in prayer to God, and when it was day he called his disciples and chose twelve from them. Luke also says he named these twelve apostles.
Luke 6:12, Luke 6:13
Discuss: Mark’s account of appointment and purpose
7 minRead Mark 3:13–19. Mark says Jesus called those he wanted, and they went to him. He appointed twelve so that they might be with him and so that he might send them out to preach. Mark also says they had authority to heal sicknesses and cast out demons. Mark includes the name Boanerges for James and John.
Mark 3:13, Mark 3:14, Mark 3:15, Mark 3:17
Make and respond: Sort details by Gospel
8 minGive children three headings on paper: Luke, Mark and Matthew. Under Luke, they can place prayer and choosing details. Under Mark, they can place being with Jesus, being sent out, and Boanerges. Under Matthew, they can place the list of names and the authority over unclean spirits and sickness. This keeps each account clear.
Luke 6:12, Luke 6:13, Mark 3:14, Mark 3:15, Mark 3:17, Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:2, Matthew 10:3, Matthew 10:4
Closing: Review the twelve and their task
4 minFinish by asking children to name several apostles from the lists and to say one purpose Jesus gave the twelve. Remind them that Luke shows Jesus praying, Mark shows that the twelve were to be with Jesus and be sent out, and Matthew shows the names and the authority Jesus gave.
Luke 6:12, Luke 6:13, Mark 3:14, Mark 3:15, Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:2, Matthew 10:3, Matthew 10:4
Questions to explore
What happened before Jesus chose the twelve in Luke’s account?
Luke says Jesus went out to the mountain to pray and continued all night in prayer to God. When it was day, he called his disciples and chose twelve from them.
Luke 6:12, Luke 6:13
According to Mark, why did Jesus appoint the twelve?
Mark says Jesus appointed the twelve so that they might be with him, so that he might send them out to preach, and so they would have authority to heal sicknesses and cast out demons.
Mark 3:14, Mark 3:15
What are two details Matthew includes in this passage?
Matthew says Jesus gave the twelve authority over unclean spirits and sickness, and Matthew’s list includes names such as Matthew the tax collector and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Matthew 10:1, Matthew 10:3, Matthew 10:4
Make, think or respond
Gospel Detail Sorting Cards
What you’ll need
- paper or thin card
- pencils or markers
- scissors
- three sheets labelled Luke, Mark and Matthew
Try it together
- Write short detail cards from the passages, such as prayed all night, chose twelve, named apostles, be with him, send out to preach, Boanerges, authority over unclean spirits, Matthew the tax collector, and Judas the son of James.
- Place the three labelled sheets on a table or floor.
- Read each detail card aloud and let the children decide whether it belongs under Luke, Mark or Matthew.
- Check each card by reading the matching verse aloud together.
- Finish by naming as many apostles as the group can remember from the lists.
This activity helps children notice which details belong to Luke, Mark or Matthew, and it keeps the lesson close to the wording of each passage.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, prepare the detail cards in advance and use fewer cards, focusing on prayer in Luke, purpose in Mark, and names in Matthew.
- For older children, ask them to compare the lists carefully and notice details such as Boanerges in Mark 3:17 and Judas the son of James in Luke 6:16.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: "God, thank you for these words about Jesus praying, choosing the twelve apostles, and giving them work to do. Please help us listen well and learn from what your word says. Amen."
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Matthew 10
1 He called to himself his twelve disciples, and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every disease and every sickness.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these. The first, Simon, who is called Peter; Andrew, his brother; James the son of Zebedee; John, his brother;
3 Philip; Bartholomew; Thomas; Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus; Lebbaeus, who was also called Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Zealot; and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Mark 3
13 He went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.
14 He appointed twelve, that they might be with him, and that he might send them out to preach
15 and to have authority to heal sicknesses and to cast out demons:
16 Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter);
17 James the son of Zebedee; and John, the brother of James, (whom he called Boanerges, which means, Sons of Thunder);
18 Andrew; Philip; Bartholomew; Matthew; Thomas; James, the son of Alphaeus; Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot;
19 and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him. Then he came into a house.
Luke 6
12 In these days, he went out to the mountain to pray, and he continued all night in prayer to God.
13 When it was day, he called his disciples, and from them he chose twelve, whom he also named apostles:
14 Simon, whom he also named Peter; Andrew, his brother; James; John; Philip; Bartholomew;
15 Matthew; Thomas; James the son of Alphaeus; Simon who was called the Zealot;
16 Judas the son of James; and Judas Iscariot, who also became a traitor.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Something to make together
These activities connect with the passage. Choose one that suits your group and the time you have.
