RELEVANCE, INSTRUCTIONS FROM JESUS AND LESSONS CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES

THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES

Thank you Abigail for the A2A.

First, the commissioning of the twelve disciples can be derived from the book of [Luke 9:1 – 9] it states:-​

​Luke 9:1 – 9 (New Revised Standard Version (NRSV))

The Mission of the Twelve
9 Then Jesus called the twelve together and gave them power and authority over all demons and to cure diseases, 2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal. 3 He said to them, “Take nothing for your journey, no staff, nor bag, nor bread, nor money—not even an extra tunic. 4 Whatever house you enter, stay there, and leave from there. 5 Wherever they do not welcome you, as you are leaving that town shake the dust off your feet as a testimony against them.” 6 They departed and went through the villages, bringing the good news and curing diseases everywhere.
Herod’s Perplexity
7 Now Herod the ruler heard about all that had taken place, and he was perplexed, because it was said by some that John had been raised from the dead, 8 by some that Elijah had appeared, and by others that one of the ancient prophets had arisen. 9 Herod said, “John I beheaded; but who is this about whom I hear such things?” And he tried to see him.

​Jesus commissioned the disciples to do the following;

• To preach the gospel of the kingdom.
• To heal the sick.
• To cast out devils/demons.
• To cure diseases.
• To give hope to the hopeless.

With the growing opposition against him Jesus knew that he would soon depart from his disciples.  He therefore wanted them to take up his mission.  He sent them with  a number of instructions.

INSTRUCTIONS FROM JESUS AND LESSONS CHRISTIANS CAN LEARN FROM THE COMMISSIONING OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES

Instructions that Jesus gave to his disciples during the great mission

1. To take nothing for the journey i.e. staff, bag, money and not to have 2 tunics.
2. To stay in homes where they were welcome and eat what they were given.
3. To leave and shake off dust where they were not welcomed.

Lessons Christians learn from the commissioning of the twelve disciples

Christians should:

1. Share in the mission of Jesus by availing the Gospel to all nations.
2. Care for the sick.
3. Provide for the upkeep of church leaders.
4. Make pastoral visits to the homes of Christians for fellowship.
5. Offer hospitality to the evangelists in their homes.
6. Lead humble lives.
7. Pray for the gifts of the Holy Spirit.
8. Christians should be ready to face opposition in their work.

Related Links

KCSE CRE Topical Questions

KCSE CRE QUIZ AND ANSWERS 1995 TO DATE pp2

CRE KNEC QUESTIONS SINCE 1996 TO DATE pp1

The relevance of the commissioning of the twelve disciples

1. Disciples are supposed to have total trust in God/Must only rely on God for their provision.
2. Jesus gives power and authority to his disciples to heal and cast out demons.
3. The Kingdom of God entails total renewal of man’s body and soul.
4. The work of the disciples is to spread the kingdom of God through the preaching of the gospel.
5. Disciples must disassociate themselves from rebellious listeners.
6. Disciples must have no fellowship with those who reject the Gospel.
7. The disciple must treat the commission to preach the kingdom as a matter of urgency.

The work of Missionaries today

The work of missionaries today is:

1. To preach the gospel of the Kingdom of God.
2. To heal the sick.
3. To win souls to the Kingdom of God.
4. To take care of the needs of the needy e.g. orphans, widows, street children.
5. To give hope through the word of God.
6. To cast out demons.
7. To counsel people on family life issues
8. To provide moral guidance to the youth.

The instructions that Jesus gave to the seventy two disciples when he sent them on a mission

• The disciples were to pray for more laborers to be sent for the harvest.
• The disciples were not to carry any pulse / bag / sandals.
• They were not to salute anyone on the road.
• They were to say peace to any house they entered.
• They were to remain in the same house / not to go from house to house.
• They were to eat / drink whatever was provided.
• They were to heal the sick.
• They were to tell the people that the kingdom of God has come near.
• They were to wipe off the dust on their feet against the people if not received.

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