"Peter, James & John...." I started confidently, as she held our three fingers to keep count. "Simon." I added, thinking. She lifted a fourth finger. I began to feel under pressure.
"Simon" I repeated (there were 2 Simons, no wait, I had already said Peter and he was the other Simon) I stifled the urge to add "Theodore and Alvin." (They were Chipmunks, not disciples). But I was under pressure and she wouldn't know the difference. She stood there with her five fingers up waiting to hear the names of the others. "Go play, I'll tell you the rest later."
I can't name all twelve disciples. Although after she left the room I did call out to her "Judas!" (not as an insult, mind you. His name just popped to mind). I can't name all the books of the Bible by memory either, although my nine year old can. If I had a piece of paper, and some time, I think I could figure out most the Bible books and the disciples, but I can't just call them out on demand.
This is another example of salvation not being what you know, but WHO you know. It's a wonderful thing to know all the facts, but the most important thing is to know Jesus. Continue to study the Bible and pray and learn and grow in God. But don't think all that is what is saving you. It is by faith. That's it.
So go ahead and name the twelve. I can name the ONE. His name is the only one that matters.
Psalm 8:1 -- O LORD, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
Psalm 148:13 -- Let them praise the name of the LORD, for his name alone is exalted; his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.
Philippians 2:9-11 -- Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
21 comments:
I am on the last book of the Bible and I would have trouble naming all 12 and I know I can't name all the books I just read. I know lots of people who brag about knowing all the books and so many facts but the truth is.....there is only one thing worth bragging about and that is.....our relationship with Jesus. Way to go Kelly, now I have to go look it up. :)
http://www.ccwonline.org/disciples.html
When it comes to trying to remember lists of things, I find that songs are often helpful. This is a page that has some songs with lyrics containing the 12 disciples (one to the tune of Jesus Loves Me). Cici (and others!) may enjoy learning these.
I understand what you're saying to a point. Jesus is paramount. But that doesn't mean we shouldn't, at least, be familiar with His disciples. He called them and He calls us, and we are all important to Him.
I remember the time when I forgot the order of the books of the Bible. I was sharing a Bible with someone and thought I could find the scripture verse the pastor was referencing in his sermon. I was beet-red and flustered when I forgot the order, though my gracious choirmate just gently took the Bible from me and found the page.
We can't be johnny-on-the-spot with everything all the time, but I think that's part of our process of growing in studying and learning. (Jesus, the Teacher, is not going to throw us out of class, praise God!)
(Now, if Cici wanted to know the proper way to present a thank offering or a drink offering or some other offering of atonement, per Leviticus, you would give her everything she wanted to know and more! You keep pluggin', girl!)
Hey, remember when we took that class and in it they taught us how to remember all the names of the Bible in a fun and easy way. They even took the kids into the other room and taught them...along with hand motions.
If I remember correctly (speaking of remembering)...what was I saying..
Oh Yeah, if I remember correctly, the kids did better than most of the adults!
I looked up the 12 - one of them is named Thaddeus. Poor Thaddeus, does anyone ever remember him? I feel like I've never even heard of him! I now know I maybe could have named 11, but not 12. Thaddeus. Hmmmm.
THADDEUS!!! I can NEVER remember Thaddeus!!
I went to the website Sue J mentioned.
OK, I'm done. No more comments. I promise.
Jesus called them one by one,
Peter, Andrew, James and John,
Then came Philip, Thomas too,
Matthew and Bartholomew
James the son of Alphaeus,
Simon, also Thaddeus,
The twelfth disciple Judas made -
Jesus was by him betrayed.
I learned that as a kid. We also had a great song that taught us the books of the Bible.
Loved your point about Jesus being the main One to know. But it is important to learn and teach our children the other as well.
How very true! I know this is a cliche, but it's a relationship, not a religion. =)
Love this post. Personally I have known some mean heartless Bible spitters!!!
Joyce Meyers has honestly shared that she knows where passages are, but she doesn't have the gift of reciting Scripture easily.
You're right: it's relationship with God that brings life from the one speaking.
Bible spitting seemed to tick off Jesus when the Pharisees did it.
The only discipe I never forget is Andrew...but my maiden name is Andrews. Obviously I'd lose every Bible verse recitation contest.
I laughed throughout this post. I'm not sure why...I guess I relate, and I recognized Alvin and Theodore ;)
I can remember what scriptures say, although I can't always find the address. But, I know the Word, and I love the Word. I guess in some ways I'm glad I'm not Jewish...they memorize the first 5 books! Then again...it would definitely be helpful....
I can sing you all the songs of the Bible. ; ) But they never taught me a song about the disciples names. I'll have to put Linda's rhyme to song. I've heard that Bible trivia game is fun. But it should be renamed... since there's really nothing trivial about the Bible.
You did a good job, Mama! I would have trouble too! Don't you love those God moments with our children, though?
Hugs,
Susan
I think Theo and Alvin would make fine chipmunk disciples! That was so funny! :)
Thanks for sharing your story with me on my blog. Love that! God is always at work!
LOL, Alvin and Theodore. I can just see her telling her Sunday school teacher the 12 desciples and throwing there names into the mix. ahaha that would have been too cute. I am awful with remembering names or facts out of the bible:{ But I remember Jesus and all he's done for us and that is all that counts.
Don't let um see you sweat! Good come back. B
I never thought about it but I sure couldn't name them! How right you are.
Hey Kelly, I got half way through naming them and decided...let me leave her a message while my brain is still functional tonight :)
You are SO right! It's about knowing the ONE! JESUS!! Having and being in right relationship with Him. That's truly what the focus is all about.
Love the message. Bless you dear sister and your precious family.
That's so funny! There is a song that Beth has on one of her Bible songs CD's and it does list them all but even with that crutch, on demand....I would miss the mark! (Mark he was a friend of Peter right?) :) Thanks for the reminder of it's our faith in Jesus that is really important!
I know it's still driving you crazy anyway. Except that you have probably looked them up by now. :)
This is a great post Kelly. We can sometimes get caught up in the knowledge trap and send the wrong message about salvation.
Love you!
See how well I know you? I just read the comments and you DID look them up. Did you look up who was the one that replaced Judas? :o
Good word, Kelly! As long as we know the one- Jesus- that's what matters.
Post a Comment