The mission of the twelve disciples (Matt 10:1-15, Mark 6:7-13, Luke 9:1-6) - JSS2 Christian Religious Studies Lesson Note

As part of their training to win souls for God, Jesus sent the twelve disciples on a trial mission. Jesus charged them not to extend their mission to the Gentiles and Samaritans but to limit their activities to the Jews. The Gentiles refer to all foreigners; and the Samaritans were half Jews and half foreigners. The disciples were to limit their activities to the Jews because time was not on the side of Jesus to extend his mission outside Israel. After his death, the disciples would extend his mission to places outside Israel.

 Jesus instructed his disciples to preach that the kingdom of God was near. They should heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse the lepers and cast out demons. They were to do their work without asking for any reward. They were not to take with them money, food, tunics (clothes) nor sandals, nor staff.

 Jesus said if they entered a particular town or village, they were to salute or greet the people and lodge with a hospitable person. If the house owner received them kindly, they were to bless the household. But if a town or village did not receive them or listen to them, they should leave them and go to another place.