““Lesson 9: Jesus Christ Calls His Apostles,” Lesson 9: Jesus Christ Calls His Apostles,” Primary Primary 7: New Testament, 7: New Testament, 2929

What important word is What important word is found in all three of found in all three of

these scriptures?these scriptures?1 Corinthians 12:281 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set And God hath set some in the church, some in the church, first apostles, first apostles, secondarily secondarily prophets, thirdly prophets, thirdly teachers, after that teachers, after that miracles, then gifts miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, of healings, helps, governments, governments, diversities of diversities of tongues.tongues.

D&C 107:23D&C 107:23The twelve The twelve traveling councilors traveling councilors are called to be the are called to be the Twelve Apostles, or Twelve Apostles, or special witnesses of special witnesses of the name of Christ the name of Christ in all the world—in all the world—thus differing from thus differing from other officers in the other officers in the church in the duties church in the duties of their calling.of their calling.

Ephesians 2:20Ephesians 2:20And are built And are built upon the upon the foundation of foundation of the apostles the apostles and prophets, and prophets, Jesus Christ Jesus Christ himself being himself being the chief corner the chief corner stone;stone;

1 Corinthians 12:28And God hath set some in the church, first apostlesapostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.

D&C 107:23The twelve traveling councilors are called to be the Twelve ApostlesApostles, or special witnesses of the name of Christ in all the world—thus differing from other officers in the church in the duties of their calling.

Ephesians 2:20And are built upon the foundation of the apostlesapostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;

Why is an Apostle an Why is an Apostle an important servant of the important servant of the

Lord?Lord?

• Jesus had Jesus had many many followers, followers, called called disciples. disciples. • An Apostle is one of a select group An Apostle is one of a select group

of men who is ordained as a of men who is ordained as a special witness of Jesus Christ to special witness of Jesus Christ to all the world. all the world.

• An Apostle testifies that Jesus is the An Apostle testifies that Jesus is the Son of God and that He was Son of God and that He was

resurrected. resurrected.

• He makes sure the gospel is He makes sure the gospel is preached everywhere in the world. preached everywhere in the world.

• From His larger From His larger group of disciples group of disciples He chose twelve He chose twelve men to be His men to be His Apostles.Apostles.

• When Jesus first When Jesus first called Peter, Andrew, called Peter, Andrew, James, and John from James, and John from their fishing boats, He their fishing boats, He was calling them to be was calling them to be disciples. disciples.

Jesus ordained them the same Jesus ordained them the same way Apostles are ordained way Apostles are ordained today, by the laying on of hands, today, by the laying on of hands, and gave them the same and gave them the same authority Apostles have today.authority Apostles have today.

• One day Jesus One day Jesus taught people taught people from a boat on from a boat on the shore of the the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Sea of Galilee.

• The boat belonged The boat belonged to a man named to a man named Peter.Peter.

• Peter and his friends had fished all Peter and his friends had fished all night without catching any fish. night without catching any fish.

• After Jesus finished teaching, He told After Jesus finished teaching, He told Peter to take the boat into deep water. Peter to take the boat into deep water.

• Then He told Then He told Peter and his Peter and his friends to put friends to put their fishing their fishing nets into the nets into the water.water.

• They caught so many They caught so many fish that their nets fish that their nets began to break. began to break.

• Peter called to his Peter called to his friends in another friends in another boat to come and boat to come and help. help.

• The fish filled both The fish filled both boats so full that they boats so full that they began to sink.began to sink.

• Peter and his friends Peter and his friends were amazed. They were amazed. They knew that Jesus Christ knew that Jesus Christ had made this happen.had made this happen.

• Peter knelt by the Peter knelt by the Savior’s feet. He said Savior’s feet. He said that he was not that he was not worthy to be near worthy to be near Jesus. Jesus told Peter Jesus. Jesus told Peter not to be afraid.not to be afraid.

• Jesus told Peter, Jesus told Peter, James, and John to James, and John to follow Him and follow Him and become “fishers of become “fishers of men.” men.”

• Two of Peter’s friends, James and Two of Peter’s friends, James and John, were brothers. John, were brothers.

• The men left everything they had The men left everything they had and went with Jesus. and went with Jesus.

The Savior The Savior also asked also asked

other men to other men to follow Him.follow Him.

• Jesus chose twelve Apostles to lead His Jesus chose twelve Apostles to lead His Church. Church.

• The next morning He chose and The next morning He chose and ordained twelve men, giving them the ordained twelve men, giving them the priesthood and the authority to be priesthood and the authority to be Apostles.Apostles.

• He prayed all He prayed all night so that night so that He could He could choose the choose the right men. right men.

• The Apostles traveled to many cities. The Apostles traveled to many cities. They taught the gospel and healed They taught the gospel and healed people. people.

• They returned to tell Jesus what they They returned to tell Jesus what they had done.had done.

• What did Peter, Andrew, James, What did Peter, Andrew, James, and John do for a living?and John do for a living?• Let’s Let’s

read read MattheMatthew 4:18–w 4:18–

1919• What does What does

it mean to it mean to be “fishers be “fishers of men”? of men”?

• How are Apostles How are Apostles today “fishers of today “fishers of men”? men”?

• Let’s read Let’s read D&C 18:27–D&C 18:27–

2929

• How did Peter, Andrew, How did Peter, Andrew, James, and John respond James, and John respond when Jesus told them to when Jesus told them to follow him? follow him?

• Let’s read Matthew Let’s read Matthew 4:20–22 (4:20–22 (straightwaystraightway means immediately)means immediately)

• The Joseph Smith Translation of The Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 4:18 states that Jesus told Matthew 4:18 states that Jesus told them who he was before he asked them them who he was before he asked them to follow him.to follow him.

• How did their How did their response show response show that they believed that they believed that Jesus was the that Jesus was the Christ? Christ? • Why is it important Why is it important

for us to know that for us to know that Jesus Christ is the Jesus Christ is the Son of God?Son of God?

• What did Jesus tell What did Jesus tell Simon to do with his Simon to do with his nets? nets? • Let’s read Luke Let’s read Luke

5:4 (Simon, Simon 5:4 (Simon, Simon Peter, and Peter Peter, and Peter are all the same are all the same

person)person)• Why did Simon question doing what Why did Simon question doing what

Jesus asked? Jesus asked? • Let’s read Luke 5:5Let’s read Luke 5:5

• What happened? What happened? • Let’s read Let’s read Luke 5:6–7Luke 5:6–7

• Why did this Why did this event help the event help the disciples have disciples have greater faith in greater faith in Jesus? Jesus?

• Let’s read Let’s read Luke 5:8–10 Luke 5:8–10

• What did Peter, James, and John What did Peter, James, and John do to prove that they had faith in do to prove that they had faith in Jesus? Jesus? • Let’s read Let’s read

Luke 5:11Luke 5:11• How can we How can we

show that we show that we follow Jesus follow Jesus Christ?Christ?

• How long did Jesus How long did Jesus pray before calling pray before calling his Apostles? his Apostles?

• Let’s read Let’s read Luke 6:12Luke 6:12

• Why do you think Why do you think Jesus prayed before Jesus prayed before making this making this important decision? important decision?

• Who calls Apostles today? Who calls Apostles today? • Heavenly Father instructs the First Heavenly Father instructs the First

Presidency through inspiration.Presidency through inspiration.

• The scriptures speak The scriptures speak of disciples and of disciples and Apostles. Apostles. • What is the difference What is the difference

between a disciple between a disciple and an Apostle? and an Apostle? • Let’s read Luke Let’s read Luke

6:136:13

• Are you a disciple Are you a disciple or an Apostle?or an Apostle?

• What does it mean What does it mean to be a special to be a special witness of Jesus witness of Jesus Christ? Christ?

• Let’s read Acts Let’s read Acts 4:33, Acts 10:39–43 4:33, Acts 10:39–43 & D&C 107:23& D&C 107:23

• How did Peter witness that Jesus How did Peter witness that Jesus was the Christ? was the Christ?

• Let’s read Let’s read Matthew Matthew 16:13–1716:13–17

• What did Jesus promise Peter What did Jesus promise Peter because of Peter’s testimony? because of Peter’s testimony?

• Let’s read Matthew Let’s read Matthew 16:18–1916:18–19

• The “keys of the kingdom” are the The “keys of the kingdom” are the authority the Apostles have to do authority the Apostles have to do Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’ work Heavenly Father’s and Jesus’ work here on earth. here on earth.

• We will about We will about Peter, James, and Peter, James, and John receiving John receiving these promised these promised keys on the Mount keys on the Mount of Transfiguration of Transfiguration in lesson 15.in lesson 15.

• How do Apostles How do Apostles witness that Jesus witness that Jesus is the Christ today?is the Christ today?

• Elder David B. Haight, an Elder David B. Haight, an Apostle of the Lord said:Apostle of the Lord said:

• ““The evening of my health crisis, I The evening of my health crisis, I knew something very serious had knew something very serious had happened to me…happened to me…

• ““I was pleading to my Heavenly Father I was pleading to my Heavenly Father to spare my life a while longer to give to spare my life a while longer to give me a little more time to do His work, if me a little more time to do His work, if it was His will.it was His will.

• ““While still praying, I began to While still praying, I began to lose consciousness. The siren lose consciousness. The siren of the paramedic truck was of the paramedic truck was the last that I remembered the last that I remembered before unconsciousness before unconsciousness overtook me, which would last overtook me, which would last for the next several days.for the next several days.

• ““The terrible pain and commotion of The terrible pain and commotion of people ceased. I was now in a calm, people ceased. I was now in a calm, peaceful setting; all was serene and peaceful setting; all was serene and quiet… quiet…

• ““I heard no voices but was I heard no voices but was conscious of being in a holy conscious of being in a holy presence and atmosphere. presence and atmosphere.

• ““During the hours and days that During the hours and days that followed, there was impressed again followed, there was impressed again and again upon my mind the eternal and again upon my mind the eternal mission and exalted position of the Son mission and exalted position of the Son of Man. of Man.

• ““I witness to you that He is I witness to you that He is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, Jesus the Christ, the Son of God, Savior to all, Redeemer of all Savior to all, Redeemer of all mankind, Bestower of infinite mankind, Bestower of infinite love, mercy, and forgiveness, love, mercy, and forgiveness, the Light and Life of the world. the Light and Life of the world.

• ““I knew this truth before—I had never I knew this truth before—I had never doubted nor wondered. But now I doubted nor wondered. But now I knew, because of the impressions of the knew, because of the impressions of the Spirit upon my heart and soul, these Spirit upon my heart and soul, these divine truths in a most unusual way.divine truths in a most unusual way.

• ““I was shown a panoramic I was shown a panoramic view of His earthly ministry: view of His earthly ministry: His baptism, His teaching, His His baptism, His teaching, His healing the sick and lame, the healing the sick and lame, the mock trial, His crucifixion, His mock trial, His crucifixion, His resurrection and ascension. resurrection and ascension.

• ““There followed scenes of His earthly There followed scenes of His earthly ministry to my mind in impressive ministry to my mind in impressive detail, confirming scripture eyewitness detail, confirming scripture eyewitness accounts. accounts.

• ““I was being taught, and the eyes I was being taught, and the eyes of my understanding were opened of my understanding were opened by the Holy Spirit of God so as to by the Holy Spirit of God so as to behold many things” behold many things” (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, p. 73; or (in Conference Report, Oct. 1989, p. 73; or

Ensign,Ensign, Nov. 1989, pp. 59–60). Nov. 1989, pp. 59–60).

• Who are the Apostles Who are the Apostles on the earth today?on the earth today?

Boyd K. Packer L. Tom Perry Russell M. Nelson Dallin H. Oaks M. Russell Ballard

Richard G. Scott Robert D. Hales Jeffrey R. Holland David A. Bednar Quentin L. Cook

D. Todd Christofferson Neil L. Andersen

• How are our lives How are our lives blessed when we blessed when we listen to the listen to the counsel of the counsel of the Apostles? Apostles? • Let’s read 3 Let’s read 3 Nephi 12:1–2Nephi 12:1–2

• Let’s memorize the sixth article of Let’s memorize the sixth article of faith:faith:

We believe in the same We believe in the same organization that existed organization that existed in the Primitive Church, in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.and so forth.

• I have pictures of the First I have pictures of the First Presidency and Twelve Apostles. Presidency and Twelve Apostles.

• Each of these papers has one of Each of these papers has one of their names on it.their names on it.

• Take turns matching the names and Take turns matching the names and pictures.pictures.

• Now, take turns arranging them in Now, take turns arranging them in order of seniority!order of seniority!

Enr. Act. 1

Let’s read Luke 6:12–16 to Let’s read Luke 6:12–16 to discover the names of the discover the names of the

Twelve Apostles Jesus called.Twelve Apostles Jesus called.

Enr. Act. 2

• Here are some recent conference Here are some recent conference reports and conference issues of reports and conference issues of Church magazines.Church magazines.

• Find the talks given by the Apostles.Find the talks given by the Apostles.

Enr. Act. 3

• Find the places in these Find the places in these talks where the Apostles talks where the Apostles declared their special declared their special witness of Jesus Christ witness of Jesus Christ (these are often at the (these are often at the end of their speeches).end of their speeches).

• I am grateful for I am grateful for Apostles. My life Apostles. My life has been blessed has been blessed when I followed when I followed their counsel. their counsel.

• I know that Jesus calls Apostles, I know that Jesus calls Apostles, through the living prophet, to through the living prophet, to witness His name and preach the witness His name and preach the gospel to all the world.gospel to all the world.

• Images and clipart are from lds.org, sugardoodle.net, Microsoft Office, and other websites indicating the images were in the public domain. Many of the paintings used in this presentation are by James Tissot.

• The hymn, lesson and scripture story are from lds.org.• Please do not use this presentation for commercial

use. Feel free to alter the presentation for use in church or home to suit personal preference.

• This presentation is intended to supplement, not replace, the lesson manual and scriptures. Teachers should refer to the manual, scriptures and other resources when preparing and conducting the lesson.