Jesus Chooses the Twelve Preschool Lesson
Preschool lesson (ages 3–6, 20 minutes)
1. Welcome (3 min)
Sit in a circle, greet every child by name and show one thing from the story to touch.
2. The little story (5 min)
Teach the refrain first: “Jesus called them, and they came.”
Jesus walked by the big Sea of Galilee. He saw two brothers, Simon and Andrew. They were fishermen. They were throwing their net into the water. Splash! Can you throw a big net?
Jesus said to them, “Come after me.” He said, “I will make you into fishers for men.” That means: Come with me, and help bring people to God. Right away they left their nets and followed him. Jesus called them, and they came.
A little further on, Jesus saw two more brothers, James and John. They were in their boat, fixing their nets. Jesus called them too. They left their father Zebedee in the boat with his workers. And they went with Jesus.
Later, many, many people followed Jesus. They came from towns near and far. They came from Jerusalem and from across the Jordan River. They even came from cities far away by the sea. They had heard about the great things Jesus did.
Jesus had healed many sick people. Now everyone who was sick pushed close, to touch him. So Jesus told his disciples to keep a little boat ready near him. Disciples are people who follow a teacher and learn from him. Then the crowd would not squeeze him.
One day Jesus went up on a mountain to pray. It got dark. But Jesus kept praying to God, all night long. He talked with God, his Father, until morning came. Can you fold your hands, like Jesus praying?
When it was day, Jesus called the ones he wanted. Jesus called them, and they came.
He chose twelve. He named them apostles. An apostle is someone who is sent out with a message. Twelve is a lot! Let’s count them on our fingers.
Simon – Jesus gave him a new name, Peter. Peter means “rock.” Andrew, his brother. James and John – Jesus called them Sons of Thunder! Boom! Philip and Bartholomew.
Matthew and Thomas. Thomas was also called “the Twin.” Another James, and Thaddaeus. Simon the Zealot – a zealot is someone who is very eager for his people. And Judas Iscariot. That makes twelve! Jesus called them, and they came.
Some of them were fishermen, like Peter and Andrew, James and John. One was a tax collector – that was Matthew. They were ordinary men.
Why did Jesus choose them? The Bible says: “that they might be with him.” First of all, Jesus wanted them close to him.
And Jesus would send them out to preach – to tell God’s good news. They would also heal sick people, just like Jesus did.
Then Jesus came down the mountain with his twelve. He stood on a flat place. A great crowd was waiting there. They had come to hear him and to be healed.
Everyone tried to touch Jesus. Power came out of him, and he healed them all. And the twelve were right there with him.
Jesus wanted them close to him, every one. He knew each one by name. Jesus called them, and they came.
3. Talk together (3 min)
- What do you think the twelve did when they were with Jesus?
- Why do you think Jesus prayed all night before he chose them?
4. Move (3 min)
Refrain Freeze: move around the room; when you say the refrain, everyone freezes and says it together.
5. Make (4 min)
Color the 12 apostles Jesus chose.
6. Verse and prayer (2 min)
“He appointed twelve, that they might be with him” — Mark 3:14 (He appointed twelve → point to friends one by one; that they might be with him → hug yourself)
Dear Jesus, thank you that you call people to be with you. Thank you that you want me close to you. Amen.
Lesson for older kids (ages 6–10)
Big idea: Jesus chooses you too
Memory verse: “He went up into the mountain and called to himself those whom he wanted, and they went to him.” — Mark 3:13 · WEB
The Bible story
Jesus climbs a quiet hillside and calls twelve ordinary people to be His special friends and helpers, and each one gladly says yes to Him.
Talk about it
- Where did Jesus go before He chose His twelve friends? — Up a mountainside
- Why did Jesus choose twelve special friends? — To be with Him and to preach
- What was the job of Simon and Andrew before they followed Jesus? — They were fishermen
- What did Jesus say to call His friends to follow Him? — "Come and follow me"
- What job did Matthew do before he followed Jesus? — He collected taxes
- How many friends did Jesus choose in the end? — Twelve
Where is Jesus in this story?
Why exactly twelve? God's people Israel came from the twelve sons of Jacob, the twelve tribes. By choosing twelve apostles, Jesus was showing that he was gathering a new family of God's people around himself (Matthew 19:28). In the heavenly city at the end of the Bible, the names of the twelve apostles are written on its twelve foundations (Revelation 21:14). Jesus built his church on ordinary people.
What God wants to tell us
Jesus did not pick the richest or cleverest people to be His helpers. He chose ordinary fishermen and everyday folk, because God looks at our hearts, not at how important we seem. That means Jesus can use you too, just as you are. You do not have to be big, or perfect, or grown-up. If you say yes to God's love and share it with others, you become one of His special helpers, and He will give you all the courage you need.
Prayer
Father God, thank You for choosing ordinary people to be Your friends. Thank You that You know my name and want me close to You. Please help me follow Jesus and share Your love with everyone I meet. Make me brave and kind, just like Your twelve helpers. Amen.
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