Twelve Ordinary Men

1.MacArthur describes Peter as a man of contradictions — bold enough to walk on water, yet cowardly enough to deny Christ three times. What specific character traits does MacArthur identify in Peter, and which of them do you think was Peter's greatest strength? His greatest weakness?

1.MacArthur describes Andrew as consistently working 'behind the scenes' — bringing people to Jesus rather than standing in the spotlight himself. What three specific scenes in the Gospels illustrate this pattern, and what do they have in common?

1.Jesus gave James and his brother John the nickname 'Boanerges' — Sons of Thunder (Mark 3:17). Based on the incidents MacArthur describes, what does this nickname tell us about their temperament? Is passion for the Lord always a virtue, or can it become a problem?

1.MacArthur notes the apparent paradox that John, who would write more about love than any other New Testament author, began his ministry wanting to call down fire on his enemies. What does this contrast tell us about the power of sustained exposure to Jesus over a lifetime?

1.Philip was the first apostle Jesus directly approached with the call 'Follow Me' (John 1:43). Yet MacArthur describes Philip as a cautious, analytical thinker. What combination of qualities do you think Jesus saw in Philip that made him worth calling?

1.Nathanael's first recorded words are skeptical: 'Can anything good come out of Nazareth?' (John 1:46). MacArthur notes this was likely a regional prejudice, not a theological objection. What does it tell us that Jesus chose a man with such an initial disposition — and that He apparently held it against him not at all?

1.MacArthur explains the cultural context: Roman tax collectors were considered traitors to their own people, complicit in oppression, and ceremonially unclean. They were excluded from Jewish religious life. With that background in view, why is Jesus' choice of Matthew so striking and even offensive to onlookers?

1.MacArthur points out that Thomas' most famous moment of doubt (John 20:25) is not the most revealing thing about him. He also highlights John 11:16, where Thomas says, 'Let us also go, that we may die with him.' What does this statement tell us about Thomas' character — and how does it complicate the simple 'doubter' label?

1.MacArthur opens this chapter by acknowledging that James the Less, Judas (also called Thaddaeus), and Simon the Zealot are the least-known of the apostles — almost nothing is recorded about them beyond their names. Why do you think MacArthur chose to include a chapter on men about whom so little can be said? What is the point he is making?

1.MacArthur argues that Judas was never a genuine believer — he was a counterfeit from the beginning, chosen by Jesus not in spite of his treachery but in fulfillment of prophecy. What passages does MacArthur cite to support this claim (e.g., John 6:64, 70–71; 17:12)? How do you think Jesus' foreknowledge of Judas' betrayal should be understood?

1.MacArthur argues that the Twelve were united not by personality, background, or politics — all of which divided them — but by their common calling and common Lord. How does this challenge the tendency to build churches or small groups around demographic similarity rather than shared devotion to Christ?

1.MacArthur's concluding argument is that the pattern of the Twelve is not an exception — it is the norm. God has always used ordinary, flawed people to accomplish extraordinary purposes. Looking back over the twelve portraits in the book, which apostle's transformation strikes you as most remarkable, and why?

1.Looking back over all twelve apostles, whose portrait most surprised you? Was there someone you had written off as unimportant or uninteresting who became unexpectedly meaningful? What did you discover?