Jesus Sends Out the Twelve Disciples – Bible Study Lesson from Matthew 10:1-16
In this passage from Matthew, we get a closer look at the twelve disciples—their names, their calling, and the mission Jesus entrusted to them. You could say this was the very first Christian mission trip!
As we study this Scripture, let’s reflect on the many mission fields around us today. Whether it’s sharing our faith with friends, serving in our communities, or supporting missionaries abroad, we all have opportunities to tell people about Jesus.
One key lesson Jesus gave the twelve disciples was about giving freely. Just as they had received His message, they were to share it with others without expecting anything in return. What does that mean for us today? Let’s read the passage!
Jesus Instructs His 12 Disciples to Go
Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness.
Now the names of the twelve apostles are these: The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; and James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother; Philip and Bartholomew; Thomas and Matthew the tax collector; James the son of Alphaeus, and Thaddaeus; Simon the Zealot, and Judas Iscariot, the one who betrayed Him.
These twelve Jesus sent out after instructing them, saying, “Do not go on a road to Gentiles, and do not enter a city of Samaritans; but rather go to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprosy, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give.
Do not acquire gold, or silver, or copper for your money belts, or a bag for your journey, or even two tunics, or sandals, or a staff; for the worker is deserving of his support.
And whatever city or village you enter, inquire who is worthy in it, and stay at his house until you leave that city.
As you enter the house, give it your greeting.
If the house is worthy, see that your blessing of peace comes upon it. But if it is not worthy, take back your blessing of peace.
And whoever does not receive you nor listen to your words, as you leave that house or city, shake the dust off your feet.
Truly I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment, than for that city. – Matthew 10:1-15 NASB
Jesus Sends Out The Twelve Disciples – “Freely Give”
In this Bible study lesson we learn who the 12 disciples were. We also learn about Christ’s command to give. The disciples were sent on a mission to preach the kingdom of heaven and to heal the sick. They were instructed to freely give as they had freely received, spreading the message of love, compassion, and salvation. Their mission included casting out demons and raising the dead, demonstrating the power and authority given to them by Jesus.
Names of the Original 12 Disciples
Now, let’s list the names of the twelve disciples (Don’t worry, I had to “copy and paste” to get them all). From fishermen to a tax collector, Jesus chose these twelve to follow Him. They are,
- Simon Peter
- Andrew
- James – son of Zebedee
- John
- Philip
- Bartholomew
- Thomas
- Matthew
- James – son of Alphaeus
- Thaddaeus
- Simon the Zealot
- Judas Iscariot
The Spirit of Giving
And as you go, preach, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers, cast out demons. Freely you received, freely give. Matthew 10:7-8 NASB
Giving Freely—Because We Have Received So Much
One statement from these passages truly stands out: “Freely you have received; freely give.” It’s a simple yet powerful reminder.
As our pastor often says, we live in one of the wealthiest nations in the world. With so many blessings, shouldn’t we be willing to give back to God? After all, everything we have comes from Him.
Why Did Jesus Send the Twelve Disciples to the Jews First?
You might wonder why Jesus instructed His twelve disciples to go only to the Jews, not to the Gentiles or Samaritans.
One possible reason? God chose the Jewish people to be a light to the nations. The Old Testament foretold this when God promised Abraham that through his descendants, all nations would be blessed (Genesis 12:3). The Jewish people were entrusted with the message of salvation so that it could later reach the entire world.
“As You Are Going” – The Kingdom is Now
The message of salvation isn’t limited to one group—it’s meant for everyone. And right now, as we study these words, God’s Kingdom is growing in the hearts of believers around the world.
But here’s the key: Jesus calls us to action. Sharing the gospel isn’t something we do once in a while—it’s part of our daily walk. Whether we travel across the world or simply talk to a neighbor, we are all part of this mission.
What Has God Given You?
Let’s return to Jesus’ challenge: “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Think about it—God has given us everything:
- Grace, even when we didn’t deserve it.
- Wisdom, guiding us in our daily lives.
- His only Son, who died for us on the cross.
With so much received, how can we not give back? We can share our time, our skills, and our resources. More importantly, we can give the gift of the gospel, bringing hope to those who need it most.
The Most Important Gift of All
The greatest thing we can freely give is our personal testimony—the story of how Jesus changed our lives.
Not everyone is called to be a missionary in a foreign land, but there is a mission field right in front of us. We can make an impact in our neighborhoods, our workplaces, and even our homes. Opportunities to spread God’s love are everywhere—we just have to be willing to step forward.
So as you go about your day, ask yourself: How can I give freely today?
Love In Christ
– Bob
To find out how to receive the love and life-changing experience of Jesus Christ, please take a moment to look at how to accept Christ and establish a relationship with him. If you need more information an excellent idea is to visit a local church and speak with the pastor.