The First to Follow : The Apostles of Jesus

An examination of Jesus's relationships with each of his first disciples other reveals ways to deepen our relationship with Him. One of the first things Jesus did in his ministry was to reach out to twelve individuals and draw them into his circle of close companionship with him. This series is about those twelve apostles, their relationships with Jesus and with each other, and what dynamics of that community can teach us. Jesus did not wait for people to be perfect in order to call them into the circle of God's love. As we look at those who Jesus called, and consider ourselves as part of that ever enlarging circle, we gain not only a deeper sense of our reality, but also a deeper sense of how Christ wants to work with us. Based on talks given at St. Luke's Episcopal Church, Birmingham, and more recently The Chautauqua Institute, these lectures have been edited by Ann W. Claypool in her husband's memory. Introduction Andrew, the first to follow Nathanael, a disciple without guile Philip, the realist Thomas, the truth seeker Simon and Matthew, unlikely companions switch with Peter? Thaddeus, three names and one question Judas, the outsider James and James, greater and lesser Peter, man of extremes John, the disciple whom Jesus loved. This book is about those apostles, their relationships with Jesus, and with each other, and what the dynamics of that community can teach us A collection of lectures by the late John Claypool that examines the relationships the Apostles had with Jesus and each other