The Calling of the Twelve and First Commission to Israel

1. The Calling of the Twelve and First Commission to Israel “Without cost you have received, without cost you are to give.” Matthew 10:18 Matthew Chapter 10

2. Lesson Objectives • Explain the historical context in which Christ calls his disciples and Apostles to “Come follow him.” How is this an act of faith for both Christ and the disciples/Apostles? • Articulate how Christ gives the 12 Apostles authority in Scripture and why this is important for the founding of His Church. • Describe the visible hierarchy in the Church as witnessed in Scripture and explain how it is relational.

3. Opening Prayer:The Calling of Matthew Read Matthew 9:9-13. “The Calling of Matthew” by Caravaggio

4. Rob Bell’s Dust Click the link below and open the Quia quiz “RB’s Dust WS”. As you watch the video, click the correct answers to the quiz. When you have finished, click “submit” and keeping working through the powerpoint. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0BzsspJ_yDMp4SWo4VjZacHVsYXc/view?usp=sharing

5. Add the following things to today’s note guide… • If a word or section of words is blue in the left column of the slides, underline or highlight them on your worksheet. • Write the points that appear in the right column of the slides into your notes in the “significance” column.

6. Power Over Demons leads to a Dark Accusation • “[following the miracles and healings of Jesus in Matthew 8-9] The crowds were amazed and said, ‘Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel.’ But the Pharisees said, ‘He drives out demons by the prince of demons.’” –Mt 9:33-34 • [Later in Matthew’s Gospel] Jesus shows them how serious this accusation is for them… “If it is by the Spirit of God that I cast out demons, then the kingdom of God has come upon you… Every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” –Mt 12:28, 31 • By casting the demon out of the deaf-mute, Jesus is showing that He’s fighting the most important battle- Evil and sin. • Pharisees accuse Jesus of working with the devil. • Blasphemy of the Spirit- Rejection of the very Spirit that offers forgiveness.

7. Sheep without a ShepherdThe First Commission • Jesus is PROCLAIMING (Mt 5-7) and HEALING (Mt. 8-9) the Kingdom. • Sheep without the shepherd- the Pharisees are failing at their job so Jesus says to pray for shepherds. • The laborers are the 12 Apostles, given the very AUTHORITY of Christ to do what he does for the lost sheep of Israel/(first commission) • 12 Apostles for 12 Tribes. They are the NEW ISRAEL! “Jesus went around to all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, proclaiming the gospel of kingdom, and curing every disease and illness. At the sign of the crowds, his heart was moved with pity for them because they were like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; pray, therefore, the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’ Then he summoned his twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits to drive them out and to cure every disease and every illness. [Then the twelve apostles are listed by name.]” –Matthew 9:35-10:1

8. Christ’s Pep Talk to the 12 • Read Matthew 10:5 - 11:1 silently to yourself. • What stands out to you from Christ’s pep talk to the Apostles?

9. The Key Elements in Mt 10(write the following slide in your notes) • Ambassadors for Christ. As you enter places, wish them peace and your peace will rest upon them. Whoever will not receive you or listen to your words- go outside and shake the dust from your feet. Amen, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than on that town. Whoever receives you, receives Me(Christ). • Warns of persecutions • Trust Me- You will be given at that moment what you are to say. For it will not be you who speak, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through you. • Whatever I say in darkness, speak in the light, proclaim on housetops- Ministry/Teaching is meant to be PUBLIC! • Do not be afraid! Whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of Me. You will receive your reward. • Jesus told the Apostles to lead the church by living lives of service to the faithful.

10. Meet our first Catholic Pope and bishops… • This task would last until the end of time, so the Apostles would appoint successors, called bishops, to fulfill their responsibilities as shepherds after the Apostles died. (Apostolic Succession) (Acts of the Apostles) • The hierarchy was established by Jesus so that his flock could be shepherded in holiness, being led in the communion with God that he had desired from the very beginning.” (p. 45) • We observe both the invisible spiritual communion between the disciples and Christ as well as the visible form of community itself. • Catechism #765 teaches… • The Lord endowed his community with a structure that will remain until the Kingdom is fully achieved • Representing 12 Tribes of Israel, they are the FOUNDATION of New Jerusalem. • The 12 share in His mission, power, and lot. • By all his actions, Christ prepares and builds his Church. • “I confer a kingdom on you, just as my Father has conferred one on me, that you may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom; and you will sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” –Luke 22:29-30

11. Now that you are finished with today’s notes, head back to Quia and take the quiz entitled “Calling of the Twelve.” When you are finished, look at the next two slides for the homework.

12. Assignment: Who’s on your Team? Who’s in your corner? Due Friday 10/18

13. Homework Get a Holiness Roster from the substitute teacher. To receive full credit, fill in every box and take it seriously. It is due on Friday 10/18. Also, read Matthew chapters 11-15 and take the Quia quiz on it before next class.