Jesus chose ordinary people - fishermen, tax collectors, everyday workers - as his disciples. Extraordinary impact comes from ordinary people who are willing to be used for a greater purpose.

Power in Ordinary

Our weaknesses can become our greatest strengths.
Discover how Peter's impulsiveness, Thomas's doubt, and John's temper transformed into platforms for growth.
<ul><li>Personal flaws can lead to growth</li>
<li>Peter: impulsive</li>
<li>Thomas: doubtful</li>
<li>John: temperamental</li></ul>

Transformation Through Weakness

None of the disciples were religious scholars or elite leaders. Their qualification was simply their willingness to follow, demonstrating that authentic faith matters more than formal credentials.

Faith Over Credentials

From tax collectors to zealots, the disciples represented opposing social and political views, yet found unity in their shared mission proving that purpose transcends differences.

Unity in Diversity

Peter, the impulsive fisherman, became a rock of the early church, showing leadership potential lies within unpolished exteriors.Key ideas:<ul><li>Leadership potential often lies beneath unpolished exteriors</li><li>Peter transformed from a fisherman to a leader in the early church</li></ul>Keep in mind: Leadership skills can be developed over time, even for those who may seem unlikely candidates at first glance.

The Peter Principle

Thomas's famous doubt led to one of the strongest declarations of faith ("My Lord and my God!"), revealing how honest questioning can lead to deeper conviction.

The Power of Doubt

John evolved from a hotheaded "Son of Thunder" to the "Apostle of Love," demonstrating how divine love can fundamentally reshape character.

Love's Transformation

Judas walked with Jesus yet remained unchanged, teaching that mere proximity to truth doesn't guarantee transformation genuine surrender is required.

The Proximity Paradox

While some disciples were vocal leaders, others like Andrew worked quietly, bringing people to Jesus without fanfare – showing the power of behind-the-scenes influence.

Silent Strength

Jesus taught his status seeking disciples that true greatness comes through serving others, reversing conventional leadership wisdom.

The Service Secre

The disciples' greatest failures including deserting Jesus became stepping stones to their greatest impact, proving that failure isn't fatal to purpose.

Growth Through Failure

God chose ordinary men to accomplish extraordinary tasks, revealing that human limitations are no barrier to divine purpose.

The Great Paradox

How Jesus chose twelve unremarkable men; fishermen, tax collectors, and laborers and transformed them into world-changers. Their story proves that extraordinary impact can come from ordinary people.

Discover how God used ordinary men, Jesus's twelve chosen disciples, to change the world, and how He can accomplish the same thing through you.You don't have to be perfect to do God's work. Look no further than the twelve disciples, whose many weaknesses are forever preserved throughout the pages of the New Testament. Join bestselling author John MacArthur in Twelve Ordinary Men as he draws principles from Christ's careful, hands-on training of the original disciples for today's modern disciple, you! Jesus chose ordinary men--fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots--and turned their weakness into strength, producing greatness from people who were otherwise unremarkable. The twelve disciples weren't the stained-glass saints we imagine. On the contrary, they were truly human, all too prone to mistakes, misstatements, wrong attitudes, lapses of faith, and bitter failure. Simply put, they were flawed people, just like us. But under Jesus' teaching and touch, they became a force that forever changed the world.MacArthur takes you into the inner circle of the disciples--their selection, their training, their personalities, and their incredible impact. As MacArthur took a closer look at the lives of the twelve disciples, he found himself asking difficult questions along the way, including:<ul><li>Why did Jesus pick each of the twelve disciples?</li><li>How did Jesus teach them everything he could in just eighteen short months?</li><li>Can the lessons that Jesus taught the disciples can still influence our faith today?</li></ul>In Twelve Ordinary Men, you'll learn that disciples are living proof that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. As you get to know the men who walked with Jesus, you'll see that if he can accomplish his purposes through them, he can do the same through you.

Twelve Ordinary Men

David R