The beginning of an enterprise is both exciting and daunting. Looking to the Lord for wisdom is always a great place to start. As we open this passage we see Jesus doing just that...praying to His Father. Scripture doesn’t tell us specifics, but perhaps, as Jesus prayed all night, He talked to His Father about building a team. In Luke Chapter 5 we saw Jesus fish with Peter, James, and John. He also had dinner with Matthew (Levi). Each of these men were astonished and radically changed by their encounter with Jesus. Who would join Jesus besides these broken and ordinary, yet believing men? Who would give all to follow Jesus and become fishers of men? Will you?

[Luke 6.12-16]

12 In these days he went out to the mountain to pray, and all night he continued in prayer to God. 13 And when day came, he called his disciples and chose from them twelve, whom he named apostles: 14 Simon, whom he named Peter, and Andrew his brother, and James and John, and Philip, and Bartholomew, 15 and Matthew, and Thomas, and James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon who was called the Zealot, 16 and Judas the son of James, and Judas Iscariot, who became a traitor.

[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?

+ What does verse 12 tell the reader about Jesus’s custom?

+ Where do you go to pray? Is it a custom? What would all night prayer look like?

+ What/who in your life is significant enough to bring you before the Lord in prayer for hours?

+ How does the quantity of time spent with another (God too) tell us something about the relationship?

+ How is the time Jesus spends with His Father reflective of their relationship?

+ What is the first thing Jesus does when the sun comes up?

+ How did Jesus choose His team? What group did he choose them from?

+ What name does Jesus give His closest followers?

+ How do we view this group today?

+ Who sets these men apart for Himself?

+ What do you notice about the order of the list of Apostles?

+ How is Judas additionally named?

+ How are the other men on the list remembered?

[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?

+ Is there sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?

+ What have I specifically prayed for in recent days?

+ Am I going to my Father for guidance to direct my path? Or do I choose and ask Him to bless it?

+ What are my “customs?” Would others note that I go to God’s House, teach God’s people and/or proclaim God’s Word?

+ Do I desire a team like Jesus? Or would I rather do life on my own?

+ Have I asked the Lord to show me my team?

+ How does the fact that Jesus consciously chose to pour into a small group of others encourage you? How does this fact convict you? How are you fishing for men?

[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?

+ What is my next step?

+ Who can I bring before the Father?

+ What team am I part of? Is God asking me to pray for a team today?

+ Who is watching how you pray and walk out your faith through action? A parent? A spouse? A sibling? A friend? A colleague?