2. Tim’s Opening Comments
Thinking about Peter as the rock and looking at an
actual rock is an interesting comparison. Even though
a rock is unbreakable, it scatters into different sizes-
creating a ripple effect. So even when Peter broke,
he caused many things to happen. The same for
Christians or church, sometimes we break or “move”
to different plans, we still have an effect on the world-
no matter the size.
2
3.
4. James
• Son of Zebedee, was a fisherman by trade when Jesus called him to a
lifetime of ministry. As a strong leader of the church.
• The Roman officer who guarded James watched amazed as James
defended his faith at his trial.
• He declared his new faith to the judge and knelt beside James to accept
beheading as a Christian.
• Acts 12:2
Tim’s Notes: I love illustrated books because it has pictures of the
disciples and events. Sometimes it is hard to imagine “a picture” of
what you are reading in the Bible. It is good to find a picture to help
you understand what you are reading. James’ character is awesome.
Let his character help us examine ourselves. Simon Peter and
Andrew were good friends with James, bringing him to christ. He
was a strong person. He defended his beliefs at trial and other
believers at trial. He willingly got on his knees to be beheaded.
5. Are you the same as James?
• He was having problem with pride and ego. Notice that James had a problem with pride and
ego; perhaps it is because he was a strong leader in the church and he became egoistical from
it.
• He listened very closely when Jesus taught about humbleness and he REPENTED. He repented
and removed his sins.
• He never forgot the teaching of Jesus. Never forget what you learn from God and Jesus. Keep
it in your heart so you do not sin or fail to honor God.
• He decide not to seek the honor again. He stopped seeking honor for himself and started to
seek honor for God.
• He was a humble man. He did not complain. After he repented, he became humble and
accepted all the plans that Jesus had for the disciples.
• He accepted his role as a humble servant. He was able to let go of his pride to become a
follower and to submit to Jesus.
• He has pleased His master.
• He was a follower and work hard for the Lord.
• He was the first disciple to be killed.
Tim’s Notes: Read this and think about how you can relate to James. Read: Mark 10:34. Sometimes
good or evil people build up their pride and ego and there will be one event that changes
them to become humble. That one event changes their decisions and behaviors. It is important
to obey God’s laws and commands;ignore the flesh.
6. Quiz
• James was known as the H____ disciple.
• James was the first disciple to be K____.
• Name the king H____, who kill James.
• How did the king kill James?______
• What did James work as F_____ for his
father?
7.
8. John
• Faced martyrdom when he was boiled in huge basin of boiling oil.
However, he was miraculously delivered from death.
• He was then sentenced to the mines on the prison island of Patmos.
• He wrote Book of Revelation on Patmos. The apostle John was later freed
and returned to serve as Bishop of Edessa in modern Turkey. He died as an
old man, the only apostle to die peacefully.
Tim’s Comments: This is John, son of Zebedee; James’ brother. John is an
important example to follow. John was always grateful to Jesus for changing
his life. Jesus chose John because John was young and Jesus’s plan for him
was for eternity. He taught him lessons and gave him revelations for future
generations. And it matches Jesus’s plans. During John’s time, he did not die
brutally like the other disciples. John did not freak out when he was
arrested. He kept silent and amazed people-causing them to ask who God
was. Those witnesses turned to God.
The King hated John and expelled him to Patmos-an island near Italy/
Greece. God intended to put him there so that John would have a deeper
fellowship with God and be able to write the book of Revelation.
9. What is Bible Love?
Four different kinds:
Love Of The World- “Eros” is physical worldly love. 1 John 2:15-17
– John warns all of us to not love the world and things that are in it. We should support any and all
attempts to spread God’s message and God’s love. Be strong. John writes to not become involved in
worldly things and events. Do not join those events.
Love Of Friends- “Phileo” is a friendship love. 1 Corinthians 13:4-8
– Love never fails. Humans admit at love. We must love everyone or no one. How do we do this? We must
love everyone-period. God does not appreciate people who choose certain people to love. We should not
hate or reject others. Brothers and sisters in Christ must love each other.
• Question from Audience: How do we identify favoritism? We have no business to have favoritism.
You must show love through your actions and become a model. However, you can practice
discernment. This is serious business. If I (Tim) have a brother and we are close, going to church
together and etcetera. If I notice he is not following the Bible, I should approach him gently and tell
him that I am concerned. Make that brother feel comfortable enough to have an open discussion. Do
not start with “YOU”. He and I are both sinners so we should share OUR behaviors, habits and
thoughts. Take accountability because we are in one body. We do not want to allow our bother to
fall. He may admit his sins, accept the feedback and repent.
Love Of Family- {Storge’} is family love. Ephesians 5:22-33
– Husband and wives sleep together to start a family. Wives should honor and respect her husband. THe
husband should love his wife with respect and with care. Husbands and wives must treat each other with
love and respect; balance your marriage. People will notice and respect the marriage. THis sets the
foundation for your children. Both stand strong in the Lord and consult each other. The husband and wife
will then be able to discipline and handle their family according to the Lord’s Will.
Love of God- “Agape” is a divine love from God, Jesus and Holy Spirit. John 3:16
– This can only be received from God. You must believe in him. Jesus showed agape love on the cross when
he cried out to God “Father, Forgive them, for they know not what they do.”
10. Can every Christian follow the example of John?
• He has a choice to follow Jesus or not.
• He decided to give his life to the Lord.
• He was so young man to be called beloved
disciple.
• He looked at the world and faced a temptation.
• He had many desires the same as young people.
• He never stopped loving Jesus.
• He was fellowshipped by God when he is lonely.
• He wrote the Book of John, I John, II John, III
John.
• He also wrote the great Book of Revelation.
• He was asked to be caretaker for His mother.
11. Quiz
• John was the B_____ disciple.
• Did he wrote the Book of Revelation on
the island of Patmos? True or False
• John was the Y_____ disciple.
• Is James his brother? True or False
• Did Jesus tell him to take care of His
mother, Mary? True or False
12. • EVERYBODY: All people
• SOMEBODY: Some people, not everyone
• ANYBODY: any person
• NOBODY: no one
Remember what those words means when you read the following
story.
13. Everybody, Somebody, Anybody and
Nobody were all neighbors. These four
fellows worshiped at the same church.
Everybody was out of town most
Sundays visiting relatives. Somebody,
usually went fishing, hiking, hunting, or
golfing. Anybody could have gone to
worship service but he thought that he
wouldn't really be missed since Nobody
would be there. Nobody went to church
service. Everyone thought Somebody
would teach the class and Somebody
thought Anybody could do the teaching.
So Nobody teaching the class. Nobody
did the work when Everybody didn't,
when Somebody wouldn't and Anybody
couldn't.
14. One day an unbeliever moved into
the community. Everybody honestly
believed Somebody would teach him.
Somebody thought Anybody could
while Anybody thought Everybody
had already talked to him. But in
reality Nobody did. Everybody,
Somebody, Anybody and Nobody
died and went to meet their Creator.
Care to guess who finally went to
heaven? That's right - NOBODY!
Author unknown