12 Ordinary Men
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with a prayer and an introduction to the four men named James in the New Testament. Jeremy Havlik used a chart to compare their names, family relationships, and apostolic status, pointing out that James the son of Zebedee appears in the lists of the Twelve in Luke 6:16 and Acts 1:13‑14 alongside his brother John. He explained the presence of other Jameses – the brother of Jesus, the son of Alphaeus, and the son of Alphaeus – and highlighted confusing passages that often lead to misidentification. The teacher also discussed the significance of Zebedee’s family, noting references to Zebedee’s possible high‑status background in Mark 1:20 and the role of his wife, identified through parallel verses in Matthew 27:56 and Mark 15:40. Throughout the lesson, Havlik emphasized that despite the limited biographical details, each James played a distinct role in the early church. He encouraged participants to dig deeper into the Scriptures, use the provided chart, and recognize that ordinary men can have extraordinary impact when they follow Christ. The class closed with a reminder to apply these lessons in personal faith journeys and to stay connected with the Linder Road community.
Key Scriptures
when they had entered the city, they went up to the upper room where they were staying. That is Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the zealot and Judas the son of James. These all with one mind were continually devoting themselves to prayer along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus and with his brothers
isn't this the carpenter's son? Isn't his mother's name Mary? And aren't his brothers James, Joseph, Simon and Judas?