Week 10: Chapter 9 — James the Less, Judas (not Iscariot), and Simon the Zealot: Men We Barely Know

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?

2.MacArthur notes that 'James the Less' likely refers to his stature or his lesser prominence compared to James the son of Zebedee — not to any inferiority of character or faith. How does the church's habit of ranking people by visibility and influence compare to God's way of valuing people?

3.Judas (not Iscariot) asks Jesus in John 14:22, 'Lord, how is it that you will manifest yourself to us, and not to the world?' MacArthur calls this a perceptive theological question about the nature of the kingdom. What was Judas expecting — and what did Jesus mean when He answered that He would reveal Himself to those who love Him and keep His word?