Get to Know You Monday (Vol. 4)

Deciding on the question to ask you for Get to Know You Monday isn't all that easy. Oh, the places my thoughts go. Is it too deep of a question? What if you don’t like my question? What if no one answers my question? It can be exhausting.

I am making a promise to myself to stop the over-thinking and simply ask the question.

Question: Who is your favorite of the twelve (12) disciples? You know, those 12 men who followed Jesus throughout His ministry.

Uncertainty on how to word my question led me to send a personal message to two of my trusty and fabulous writing friends. I asked them, “Do I say 12 disciples or apostles?” We had quite the theological discussion as a result of my question. Somehow or another we went from a theological discussion to talking about ice cream. I love you, Shelly and Joan.

As you can see, I went with calling them disciples. Now . . . I did send an email off to another trusted source for her input.

Me: So the 12 followers of Christ . . . called apostles or disciples?

Her: They were both. Disciples (followers) and Apostles (sent out workers).

Here’s a question for you. When does one stop calling themselves a new believer? I accepted Christ in February 2012. I still call myself a new believer with a whole lot to learn. I know . . . we all have much to learn, don’t we? I love how we never stop learning.

Why am I telling you this? My intended first response to the question: Paul. Hence, new believer with a lot to learn. My mind had assumed Paul, because I like him so much, was one of the twelve. Let’s say Paul is my favorite follower of Jesus in the Bible.

Side note: I also learned this week that Matthias replaced Judas. Does that mean you could choose from 13 disciples? Keep in mind, one could also choose Judas. He did fulfill what Scripture prophesied.

Again, I did a good deal of over-thinking and doubting with regards to this question. I am keeping it real by sharing my thoughts. This is a let’s get to know one another better series. You should know I have a lot to learn.  I am careful with how I reference Scripture in a post because it’s important to me that I use in the proper context. I am an imperfect follower of Christ so I am sure I have said something wrong along the way.

Can we go back to Paul because I really, really like Paul? The first book of the Bible I read in its entirety was Philippians. From there I read Romans. I gave my life to Christ when our church did a small group study on Romans 12. After Romans I read Ephesians. Who doesn't love Ephesians?

To eventually discover Paul was also Saul surprised me. This follower of Jesus had won my heart and he once persecuted Christians? If God could transform someone like Paul he could surely transform my heart. For me, God has used Paul over and over again to speak to my heart on the hope we have in Jesus. Seriously, in the Who’s Who in the Bible book there are 10 pages devoted to Paul. He’s my fave.

But . . . Paul did not follow Jesus from the beginning; he is not considered as one of the twelve. If you wanted to say Paul too I’m good with that. Just so you know.

Who is my favorite of the 12 disciples? Peter.

I have much to learn about Peter but I say Peter because I am fascinated by how he denied Christ three times. But even more so by how his heart ached after realizing he denied him three times. I see a bit of myself in Peter. My heart aches for the years I denied Christ but I have been forever changed as a result of choosing to follow Him. By the way, there are six pages devoted to him in the Who’s Who in the Bible book.

A few of the 12 disciples we know little about because the Gospels don’t tell us a great deal about them. Maybe the unknown is what attracts you to a particular one.

Okay, enough from me. I want this series to be all about getting to know YOU.

So, who is your favorite?