For Kids · 4 min with a grown-up
Jesus picks a team of twelve to be His closest friends — and then says something amazing about who really counts as His family.
Today's Story
Crowds followed Jesus everywhere — so many people that He could hardly move! He kept healing the sick and helping the hurting, and more and more people came.
Jesus needed helpers. So He went up a mountain and prayed all night. In the morning, He chose twelve special friends — Peter, James, John, Andrew, and eight more — to be His closest team. They would go everywhere with Jesus, learn from Him, and help Him share the good news.
One day, while Jesus was teaching in a packed house, someone said, “Jesus, Your mother and brothers are outside looking for You.”
Jesus said something that surprised everyone. He looked around at all the people listening to Him and said, “These are My mother and My brothers! Anyone who does what God wants is My brother and sister and mother.”
Jesus wasn't being unkind to His family — He loved them. He was saying something wonderful: anyone who follows God gets to be part of Jesus' family! You don't have to be related to Jesus by blood. You just have to love and follow God. There's room in Jesus' family for everyone — including YOU.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Jesus said everyone who follows God is part of His family. How does it feel to be part of Jesus' big family?
- Jesus prayed all night before choosing His twelve helpers. Why do you think He prayed first about an important choice?
- Jesus' family has room for everyone. Who could you welcome into God's family by being kind and sharing about Jesus?