Twelve Ordinary Men
Over the past 2 weeks, I had been scrambling for whatever time that I can find to devour this new book that I bought recently. Since I saw one of the student leaders reading this book some months back, I had already wanted to do the same but just could not find the time.
This is a really good book. I like the fact that John MacArthur took the time to do a very comprehensive bible study on each of the 12 disciples. It was very worded, informative and extremely insightful.
To begin with, Jesus’ greatness as a disciple maker was clearly highlighted. He had called such an unusual (that is in fact a very kind way to describe them!) band of guys to follow him. Among them were a handful of common fishermen, a hated tax collector and an impulsive political zealot.
Some of them are really at opposite polar ends in terms of their political beliefs and personality make up. Yet Jesus was able to gel them together into a strong band of brothers (excluding Judas Iscariot) that change their then known world. These were indeed common men who had been called, discipled and commissioned for an uncommon calling.
As John MacArthur walked us through the lives and times of the different disciples, there would certain disciples that our hearts and spirits would be able to resonate much closer with. And as we walk through the lives of these 12 men, we can see glimpse of ourselves within them.
John MacArthur also highlighted from the Scriptures of how Jesus discipled them to become the men that they were meant to be. Again, through the pages, we can learn how God is dealing with us in our lives to become all that we are created to be in Christ.
As disciple-makers, we can also learn from Jesus on how we can help those around us.
This is a definite good read for people who are serious about disciple-making and Christian growth. There are some sections of this book where I had to pause in order to read them over and over again because it just captured me so much.
There is also a female version of this book. It is entitled “Twelve Extraordinary Women” (posssibly with a pink cover). Wonder why women are extraordinary while men are just ordinary?!?
These two books are available at our Hope Resource.
This is a really good book. I like the fact that John MacArthur took the time to do a very comprehensive bible study on each of the 12 disciples. It was very worded, informative and extremely insightful.
To begin with, Jesus’ greatness as a disciple maker was clearly highlighted. He had called such an unusual (that is in fact a very kind way to describe them!) band of guys to follow him. Among them were a handful of common fishermen, a hated tax collector and an impulsive political zealot.
Some of them are really at opposite polar ends in terms of their political beliefs and personality make up. Yet Jesus was able to gel them together into a strong band of brothers (excluding Judas Iscariot) that change their then known world. These were indeed common men who had been called, discipled and commissioned for an uncommon calling.
As John MacArthur walked us through the lives and times of the different disciples, there would certain disciples that our hearts and spirits would be able to resonate much closer with. And as we walk through the lives of these 12 men, we can see glimpse of ourselves within them.
John MacArthur also highlighted from the Scriptures of how Jesus discipled them to become the men that they were meant to be. Again, through the pages, we can learn how God is dealing with us in our lives to become all that we are created to be in Christ.
As disciple-makers, we can also learn from Jesus on how we can help those around us.
This is a definite good read for people who are serious about disciple-making and Christian growth. There are some sections of this book where I had to pause in order to read them over and over again because it just captured me so much.
There is also a female version of this book. It is entitled “Twelve Extraordinary Women” (posssibly with a pink cover). Wonder why women are extraordinary while men are just ordinary?!?
These two books are available at our Hope Resource.
posted by Jeff Chong at 12:19 pm
7 Comments:
Probably women are EXTRAordinary cos they need EXTRA care and tenderness... WHuaaHa ha...
Guys should be more gung ho so no need that as extra =p
Hi,thanks for recommending and the review Pastor!
Think I'll get the book..
Haha. Thanks!
women are extraordinary cos we have extra emotional and inner strength whereas guys only have ordinary physical strength... LOL... =P
..ya...=)
Samantha: Haha, no lah, we're simply brothers and sisters in Christ... what matters is not the gender so much as the power of the Holy Spirit working in you and me. :D
Everyone: Gee, just want to share a personal thought... Personally, think the obvious difference in the 2 titles wouldn't have been lost on MacArthur. :P Probably 'cos one of the biggest struggles that guys face is the feeling of inadequacy, that "I'm just an ORDINARY guy..."
And so, for the men, it's to address a man's very real need for a sense of purpose and achievement, that Jesus offers us men the hope of a life less ordinary. :)
And, for the women, there are many sisters with amazing God-given talents. But more often than not, they may prefer to stay in the background, saying I'm just an ordinary woman, and thus not maxxing their talents and strengths for the Kingdom. And so, to these women, Jesus calls them to stand out and be EXTRAORDINARY women of God. :)
So, whether ORDINARY or EXTRAORDINARY, there is no difference, for all of us have fallen short of God's perfect plans for our lives, but He has given us ORDINARY people the power to live EXTRAORDINARY lives for Him who is able to do IMMEASURABLY more than all we can ask or even dare to dream of! Amen!
The Navigators have this inspiring slogan, so here it is:
"Ordinary people,
Extraordinary God!"
:D
haha... thanks all for the comment on the gender thing. Yeu Ann has shed good insights on this.
By the way, do note that I was blogging on how good this book is and recommending that we should perhaps read it. It is not to start a gender "war" or discussion :)
Amen pastor! jt
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