Who Were The 12 Disciples Of Jesus?

Parent Explanation:

• Jesus picked twelve people to be His special helpers. They were called disciples, and they followed Jesus everywhere to learn how to be kind and help others.

Questions to Ask:

• What is a disciple? (Answer: Someone who follows and learns from Jesus)

• Why did Jesus choose disciples? (Answer: To help Him teach others)

Hand Motions:

• Following Gesture: March in place, symbolizing following Jesus.

• Pointing and Choosing: Point around like choosing someone special.

Activities:

• Name Tags: Create name tags for each disciple, helping to identify and remember them.

• Interactive Question: If Jesus asked you to follow Him, where do you think you would go?

Parent Explanation:

• The disciples watched and listened to Jesus every day. He taught them to love people, share everything good, and forgive others just like He did.

Questions to Ask:

• What did the disciples learn from Jesus? (Answer: To love and forgive)

• How did Jesus teach His friends? (Answer: By telling stories and showing them what to do)

Hand Motions:

• Heart Gesture: Place hands over heart for love.

• Talking Hands: Move hands as if telling a story.

Activities:

• Story Time: Read a simple parable or story that Jesus taught.

• Question: What have you learned that you can teach others?

Parent Explanation:

• Jesus’ helpers were all different, just like us. Some were good at talking to people, others were good at helping quietly. Jesus showed them how to use their talents to spread love.

Questions to Ask:

• What jobs did some disciples have before following Jesus? (Answer: Fishermen, tax collector)

• How can different people help each other?

Hand Motions:

• Fishing Gesture: Pretend to cast a fishing line.

• Counting Gesture: Pretend to count coins for the tax collector.

Activities:

• Role Play: Act out different jobs the disciples had before following Jesus.

• Question: What is something special you are good at that can help others?

Parent Explanation:

• Jesus did amazing things like making sick people feel better and even calming big storms. His friends saw all these and told everyone how wonderful Jesus was.

Questions to Ask:

• Can you remember a miracle that Jesus did? (Accept any traditional miracle story)

• What do miracles show us about Jesus? (Answer: That He is powerful and caring)

Hand Motions:

• Healing Hands: Pretend to gently touch and heal.

• Storm Calming: Wave hands, then slowly settle them to calm a storm.

Activities:

• Miracle Matching Game: Match pictures of miracles with their descriptions.

• Question: What would you do if you saw a miracle?

Parent Explanation (OPTIONAL): Jesus chose 12 special friends called disciples to follow Him, learn from Him, and help spread His message. These disciples were like helpers who shared God's love with others:

1. Peter

2. Andrew

3. James (son of Zebedee)

4. John

5. Philip

6. Bartholomew

7. Matthew

8. Thomas

9. James (son of Alphaeus)

10. Thaddaeus

11. Simon (the Zealot)

12. Judas Iscariot

Questions:

• What were Jesus’ special friends called? (Answer: As many names as they can)

• How many disciples did Jesus have? (Answer: 12)

Hand Motions:

• Jesus chose disciples: Pretend to point to 12 people like you’re choosing them.

• The disciples followed Jesus: March in place like you’re walking with Jesus.

Activities:

• Counting to 12 Walk: Walk around the room, counting to 12 as you go, to remember the number of disciples Jesus had.

• Follow the Leader Game: Play "Follow the Leader" to act like the disciples following Jesus. You lead, and your toddler follows.