Questions: Lives and legends of the apostles

[ABOVE: The Synaxis of the holy and the most praiseworthy Twelve Apostles—Pushkin museum, public domain / Wikimedia]

1. Note the differences in the disciples’ behaviors and boldness before and after Pentecost (pp. 6–9). How has the Holy Spirit made a difference in your own attitude and actions?

2. Consider the brief overview of the identities of the 12 disciples on pp. 11–13. What did you find clarifying or confusing?

3. What is the difference between first-century apocryphal writings and the biblical canon (pp. 14–16)? How might the apocryphal acts of the apostles be useful to the church? In what ways are these writings problematic?

4. Do you believe Peter suffered martyrdom by crucifixion or by burning (pp. 18–22)? Why?

5. What did you learn about Andrew, James, and John (pp. 24–26)? What stories of their lives and deaths do you find plausible? Why?

6. In what ways did the apostles prove the truth of the gospel and the authority given them by Jesus (pp. 30–33)? How did the early church show their respect for their ministries?

7. What is the “cult of the saints” and how did devotion to saints begin (p. 34)? How do you feel about venerating saints, and why?

8. Based on the evidence provided on pp. 35–37, do you think Philip the Apostle is also Philip the Evangelist? Why or why not?

9. Why is James son of Alphaeus called “James the Lesser” (pp. 38–40)? How might James and Matthew have been related to Jesus, and do you find the given evidence compelling?

10. How did “doubting” Thomas become “daring” Thomas (pp. 41–43)? What evidence exists to show that Thomas evangelized India? What about China (p. 44)?

11. Why are Judas Thaddeus and Simon the Zealot often paired together in the church’s imagination (pp. 46–48)?

12. Why did the disciples choose Matthias to replace Judas Iscariot? Do you think Matthias became the twelfth apostle (p. 49)? Why or why not?

13. Out of the other notable followers of Jesus (pp. 50–53; p. 54), whose story do you find most interesting or encouraging? Why?

14. Explain the church’s historical positions concerning how James and Jude were “brothers” of Jesus. Which do you think is most likely and why?

15. What roles did the women closest to Jesus serve in the church (p. 54)? Do you think Junias was a female apostle? Why or why not?

16. Consider the legends of various apocryphal texts shared in this issue (see p. 17; p. 23; p. 27; p. 45). Which stories stick out to you and why? CH