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Growing in Faith

The 12 Disciples' Guide to Christian Character for Boys

Elijah Tishbite

Growing in Faith: The 12 Apostles' Guide to Christian Character for Boys

Elijah The Tishbite

ISBN: 9798375302331

1st edition 2023

All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the publisher or author. This book is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America.

Content

Introduction

Welcome, boys, to our exciting book of Christian stories! We have prepared for you a collection of stories about the 12 disciples of Jesus.

We will focus on the good character traits they possessed. You will have the opportunity to learn about the kind of person you should strive to be.

From Peter's courage to Matthias' faithfulness, these stories will inspire and encourage you to become a better person.

Each story comes with fun illustrations and reflection questions at the end to make the learning experience more interactive and enjoyable.

You'll also find biblical references and quotes to help you understand the context and the teachings of these stories.

By reading these stories, you'll learn valuable lessons about how to be a good person, a true friend, and a responsible member of the community.

You'll discover that it's important to be honest, kind, humble, and persevering and that you should avoid being like Judas Iscariot, the traitor.

This book is not just for reading but for learning and growing. We hope it will be a valuable tool for you and your parents or teachers to help you understand the importance of good character and Christian values in today's society.

While reading about the disciple of Jesus, you will answer questions, learn a Bible verse and then color a Bible image.

We hope that by the end of the book, you will learn what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, a Christian.

So, let's begin this journey together and learn how to become the best version of ourselves.

Peter's Courage

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Peter. He lived in a small fishing village and loved to go out on the boat with his father to catch fish.

One day, while out on the water, a big storm came, and the boat began to fill with water. Peter and his father were afraid they would sink and drown.

But Peter remembered something Jesus had told him, "I will be with you always, even until the end of the age."

With that thought in mind, Peter dared to bail out of the water and save the boat and himself and his father.

After the storm passed, Peter's father said to him, "Peter, I am proud of you for having the courage to save us. I can see that Jesus' teachings have made you a brave young man."

From that day on, Peter knew that with Jesus by his side, he could do anything.

Reflection Questions

What made Peter courageous during the storm?

________________________________________________________

How can we remember that Jesus is always with us, even in difficult times?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Peter's courage in our own lives?

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Bible Verse

"I will be with you always, even until the end of the age." - Matthew 28:20

James and John's Loyalty

Once upon a time, there were two brothers named James and John. They were known for their strong friendship and loyalty to each other.

They also had a strong faith in Jesus and were eager to follow him wherever he went.

One day, Jesus asked them to accompany him on a journey to a nearby village to spread his message.

James and John were excited to go, but their mother asked them to stay and help her with the family's fishing business.

James and John were torn. They wanted to please their mother and stay to help with the family, but they also wanted to follow Jesus.

But after discussing with each other and their mom, they made a decision to be loyal to Jesus and follow him on his journey, even if it meant leaving their mother and the fishing business behind.

When they returned from the journey, they found out that the fishing business had thrived in their absence, and their mother was proud of them for following their hearts and loyalty to Jesus.

Reflection Questions

Why was it hard for James and John to decide whether to follow Jesus or stay and help their mother?

________________________________________________________

What does it mean to be loyal?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply James and John's loyalty in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." - Matthew 6:24

Andrew's Generosity

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Andrew. He was known for his kindness and generosity in his village. He would often give food to the poor and help his neighbors with their chores.

One day, Andrew met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him. He left everything behind and became one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

During their travels, they came across a large crowd of people who were hungry and had no food to eat.

Andrew saw the need of the people and went to Jesus, telling him about the situation.

Jesus asked his disciples if they had any food, and they only had five small loaves of bread and two fish.

Andrew knew it wouldn't be enough for such a large crowd, but he was determined to help in any way he could.

He brought the five loaves and two fish to Jesus, who then blessed the food and multiplied it, feeding thousands of people with the small amount they had.

Andrew's generosity not only fed the crowd but also showed that with a little bit of willingness to give and trust in Jesus, we can do great things and help others.

Reflection Questions

Why was Andrew known for his kindness and generosity?

________________________________________________________

How did Andrew's willingness to give and trust in Jesus help the crowd of people?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Andrew's generosity in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"For I was hungry, and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger, and you invited me in," - Matthew 25:35.

Philip's Wisdom

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Philip. He was known for his wisdom and intelligence. He loved to read and learn about new things and always had a curious mind.

One day, Philip met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him. He left everything behind and became one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

As they traveled, Philip and the other disciples often had questions about Jesus' teachings and message.

Philip would often ask Jesus to explain things in more detail and to help him understand better.

One day, a group of people came to Jesus, asking him to show them the Father.

Jesus replied, "Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father." Philip, being the curious and wise person he was, asked Jesus to show them the Father.

Jesus replied, "Don't you know me, Philip, even after I have been among you such a long time? Anyone who has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, 'Show us the Father'?"

Philip's wisdom helped him understand that Jesus is the Son of God and that through him, we can see and know the Father.

Reflection Questions:

Why was Philip known for his wisdom?

________________________________________________________

How did Philip's curiosity and willingness to ask questions help him understand Jesus better?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Philip's wisdom in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." - Proverbs 9:10

Bartholomew's Humility

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Bartholomew. He was known for his humility and meekness. He was always willing to put others before himself and was not one to seek the spotlight.

One day, Bartholomew met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him. He left everything behind and became one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

As they traveled and preached, many people came to see and hear Jesus.

Some wanted to be healed, some wanted to be forgiven, and some simply wanted to be near him.

Bartholomew, being the humble person he was, often found himself in the background, helping others and making sure everyone was taken care of.

One day, as they were preparing for a big feast, the disciples were fighting over who would sit at the head of the table.

Jesus, seeing their disagreement, said to them, "For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and the one who humbles himself will be exalted."

Bartholomew, understanding Jesus' teachings on humility, took a servant's position and helped serve the meal to the others.

Bartholomew's humility not only showed that by putting others before ourselves, we could serve Jesus better but also that true greatness comes from humility, not from seeking power or fame.

Reflection Questions:

Why was Bartholomew known for his humility?

________________________________________________________

How did Bartholomew's humility help him serve Jesus better?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Bartholomew's humility?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves," - Philippians 2:3

Matthew's Honesty

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Matthew. He was known for his honesty and integrity.

He always told the truth, even if it was difficult or not in his favor.

One day, Matthew met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him.

He left everything behind, including his job as a tax collector, which was not highly regarded by the people of his time, and became one of the twelve disciples of Jesus.

As they traveled and preached, Matthew used his honesty to tell others about the teachings of Jesus.

He shared his own story of how Jesus had changed his life and how he wanted to help others do the same.

One day, while they were at a dinner party, some Pharisees came to Jesus and said, "Why do your disciples eat and drink with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus replied, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

Matthew, being a former tax collector, understood the message of Jesus and knew that his honesty and willingness to change his ways were a reflection of the love and forgiveness of Jesus.

Matthew's honesty showed that by being truthful and living with integrity, we could be a reflection of Jesus and bring others to him.

Reflection Questions:

Why was Matthew known for his honesty?

________________________________________________________

How did Matthew's honesty help him share the message of Jesus?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Matthew's honesty in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Therefore, putting away lying, "Let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor," - Ephesians 4:25

Thomas' Perseverance

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Thomas.

He was known for his perseverance and determination. He never gave up, even in the face of adversity.

One day, Thomas met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him.

He joined the twelve disciples of Jesus and traveled with them, listening to Jesus' teachings and witnessing his miracles.

One day, Jesus told his disciples that he was going to Jerusalem and that he would be killed and rise again.

Thomas, not fully understanding Jesus' words, said, "Lord, we don't know where you are going, so how can we know the way?"

Jesus replied, "I am the way, the truth, and the life."

After Jesus' death and resurrection, the disciples were gathered in a locked room when Jesus appeared to them.

Thomas was not with them, and when they told him, he said, "Unless I see the nail marks in his hands and put my finger where the nails were, and put my hand into his side, I will not believe."

Jesus later appeared to Thomas, and he exclaimed, "My Lord and my God!"

Thomas' perseverance shows us that even when we don't fully understand or believe, we should persevere in our faith and trust that Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

Reflection Questions

Why was Thomas known for his perseverance?

________________________________________________________

How did Thomas's perseverance help him in his faith?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Thomas's perseverance in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up." - Galatians 6:9

James the Less's Kindness

Once upon a time, there was a boy named James the Less. He was known for his kindness and compassion toward others. He always went out of his way to help those in need.

One day, James the Less met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him.

He joined the twelve disciples of Jesus and traveled with them, listening to Jesus' teachings and witnessing his miracles.

As they traveled, James the Less saw the suffering of the people and was moved with compassion.

He often gave away his own food and clothes to those in need, always putting the needs of others before his own.

He would heal the sick and comfort the poor, just like Jesus did.

One day, as they were preparing for a feast, a poor woman came to James the Less with a small jar of expensive perfume.

She poured it over Jesus' feet, and the house was filled with the fragrance.

Some of the other disciples were indignant, saying, "Why this waste? It could have been sold for a high price and the money given to the poor."

But Jesus replied, "Leave her alone. She did a beautiful thing to me."

James the Less' kindness shows us that we should always be willing to put the needs of others before our own and that even small acts of kindness can have a big impact.

Reflection Questions

Why was James the Less known for his kindness?

________________________________________________________

How did James the Less's kindness help him in his faith?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply James the Less's kindness in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you." - Ephesians 4:32

Simon the Zealot's Passion

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Simon the Zealot. He was known for his passion and dedication to his beliefs. He was fiercely committed to his cause and would not let anything stand in his way.

One day, Simon the Zealot met Jesus and immediately knew he wanted to follow him.

He joined the disciples of Jesus and traveled with them, listening to Jesus' teachings and witnessing his miracles.

Simon the Zealot had been a Zealot, a member of a group of Jewish nationalists who had sought to overthrow Roman rule in Israel.

He was used to fighting for his beliefs and causes and was surprised to find that Jesus' message of love and forgiveness was different from what he had known before.

Despite his initial confusion, Simon the Zealot's passion for his beliefs helped him to embrace Jesus' teachings fully and to become a committed follower of Christ.

He shared the message of love and forgiveness with others and helped to spread the word about Jesus.

Simon the Zealot's passion shows us that we should be passionate about our beliefs and stand up for what we believe in, but also that we should be open to new perspectives and be willing to change our minds when necessary.

Reflection Questions

Why was Simon the Zealot known for his passion?

________________________________________________________

How did Simon the Zealot's passion help him in his faith?

________________________________________________________

How can we apply Simon the Zealot's passion in our own lives?

________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell." - Matthew 10:28

Judas Iscariot, the Traitor

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Judas. He was one of Jesus' friends, but he did something very bad.

Judas went on adventures with Jesus and his other friends.

They saw Jesus do amazing things, like make a lot of food for a big group of people and even bring a dead person back to life.

But Judas didn't always make good choices.

One day, some mean grown-ups asked Judas to tell them where Jesus was so they could catch him.

Judas agreed and told them where to find Jesus. Jesus got in trouble and was very sad.

Judas made a big mistake by betraying Jesus. It's important to remember that we should always be kind and make good choices, just like Jesus taught us.

Reflection Questions

Why is Judas not remembered as one of Jesus' good friends?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How did Judas' actions make Jesus feel?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

What can we learn from Judas' actions?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Then one of the twelve, called Judas Iscariot, went unto the chief priests, And said unto them, What will ye give me, and I will deliver him unto you? And they covenanted with him for thirty pieces of silver."- Matthew 26:14-15

Matthias' Faithfulness

Once upon a time, there was a boy named Matthias. He was one of Jesus' friends, and he followed Jesus everywhere he went.

Matthias watched Jesus heal the sick, feed the hungry, and teach about God's love.

He was there when Jesus was crucified and buried, and he was there when Jesus rose from the dead.

After Jesus returned to heaven, the disciples realized they needed to choose someone to replace Judas, one of the original 12 disciples, who had betrayed Jesus.

They prayed and asked God to show them who the right person was.

Matthias was chosen by lot, along with Joseph, called Barsabas, and he was added to the group of 11 disciples.

Matthias was a faithful and loyal follower of Jesus, and he shared Jesus' message with many people.

Matthias' faithfulness shows us that we should always be faithful to Jesus and his teachings, even when things are difficult.

It reminds us to trust in God's plan and to be willing to serve him wholeheartedly.

Reflection Questions

Why was Matthias chosen to be one of the disciples?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How can we be faithful to Jesus like Matthias was?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

What does it mean to be faithful?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"Therefore, of these men who have accompanied us all the time that the Lord Jesus went in and out among us, beginning from the baptism of John to that day when He was taken up from us, one of these must become a witness with us of His resurrection." - Acts 1:21-22

Judas Thaddaeus' Commitment

Once upon a time, there was a man named Judas Thaddaeus. He was a friend of Jesus, and they went on many adventures together. Judas Thaddaeus was known for being a very kind and helpful person.

One day, Jesus and his friends were going to a new town to tell people about Jesus and how he could be their friend too.

Judas Thaddaeus was very excited to go and help.

He went out and talked to many people about Jesus and his message.

He also helped people in need, giving them food and clothes. He was always ready to listen to people and help them in any way he could.

Some people in the town didn't like Judas Thaddaeus' message about Jesus, and they started to say mean things about him.

They said that he was a bad person, that he didn't care about anyone but himself. But Judas Thaddaeus didn't let these mean words get to him.

He knew that what he was doing was right, and he continued to be kind and helpful to everyone.

Judas Thaddaeus's story teaches us that even when people say mean things about us, we should not let it discourage us from being kind and helpful to others.

He also teaches us the importance of listening and helping others.

Reflection Questions

Why were some people in the town saying mean things about Judas Thaddaeus?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How did Judas Thaddaeus react to the mean words?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How can we be more like Judas Thaddaeus in being kind and helpful to others?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"But the Lord said to him, "Go, for he is a chosen instrument of mine to carry my name before the Gentiles and kings and the children of Israel." - Acts 9:15

One more:

Paul's Devotion

Once upon a time, there was a man named Paul. He was not one of the original 12 disciples, but he later became a follower of Jesus.

Paul was once a fierce enemy of Jesus and his followers.

He would even go around to different towns, hunting down and hurting people who believed in Jesus.

But one day, something unique happened to Paul.

He was on his way to a town called Damascus, and he saw a bright light in the sky.

The light was so bright that Paul fell to the ground. A voice spoke to Paul and said, "Paul, why are you so against me?

I have chosen you to spread my message to the world."

After that moment, Paul's life changed forever. He started to believe in Jesus and went around telling others about him.

He even wrote many letters to different groups of people, teaching them about Jesus and encouraging them to follow him too.

Paul's story shows us that no one is too far gone for God to reach them.

It also shows us the importance of devotion to Jesus and spreading his message to others.

Reflection Questions

Why was Paul against Jesus in the beginning?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How did Paul feel when he saw the light and heard the voice?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

How can we be more like Paul in spreading Jesus' message?

______________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________

Bible Verse

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek."- Romans 1:16

Conclusion

"Wow, you did it! You read all 12 stories about the disciples of Jesus, and you learned about so many cool things!

You learned about how Peter was brave and stood up for what was right.

You learned about how James and John were loyal friends to Jesus.

You learned about how Andrew was generous and shared what he had with others.

You learned about how Philip was wise and helped others understand Jesus' teachings.

You learned about how Bartholomew was humble and didn't think he was better than others.

You learned about how Matthew was honest and always told the truth.

You learned about how Thomas never gave up and kept trying.

You learned about how James the Less was kind to everyone he met.

You learned about how Simon the Zealot had a strong passion for what he believed in.

You learned about how it's important not to be like Judas, who was not a good friend to Jesus.

You also learned about how Matthias was faithful to Jesus even when it was hard.

And you learned about how Paul was devoted to spreading Jesus' message.

You did a great job reading and learning about all of these cool things!

And the best part is you can use what you learned to be a great Christian boy, just like the disciples were.

Jesus loves you and wants you to be like His disciples.

So, let's keep practicing these good character traits every day and always follow Jesus.

Just like Jesus said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.'

You're special to Jesus and us, and we're so proud of you for reading this book and learning about good character."

Imprint

Please contact us if you have any questions, feedback, or suggestions: info@tishbite.org.

Acknowledgments

First and foremost, we would like to express our gratitude to God, who has given us the strength, wisdom, and inspiration to bring this book to life.

We would also like to extend our sincere appreciation to all the parents, teachers, and young boys who have encouraged us and supported us throughout this journey. Your encouragement has been invaluable and has motivated us to do our best.

We would like to acknowledge the efforts of Canva.com for providing some of the open-source images used in this book. Your contributions have made our work much easier.

Finally, we would like to express our gratitude to all those who have played a role in the creation of this book. Your support and hard work have made this project a reality, and we are deeply grateful for everything you have done.

Thank you all for being a part of this wonderful journey. Let's continue to pray for and protect our kids.

For more info, suggestions, and resources, please visit us at www.tishbite.org