The disciples

September 26

Mark 6:7-13

Disciples go out in pairs

Jesus called His twelve disciples together and told them to go out in pairs to do God’s work.

He said to them, “Don’t take anything for the journey except a stick. Don’t take money or food. Wear sandals, but don’t take extra clothes.

“When you get to a home where people welcome you, stay with them until you leave that town. If you get to a town where people don’t listen to you or welcome you, leave the town. Don’t even let the dust of that town stick to your shoes.”

So the disciples went out and preached the message they had heard from Jesus. They commanded evil spirits to come out of people, and they healed many who were sick.

Why is it good to do things as a team?

We don’t know who went with Peter, but whoever went out with him must have had a great experience! The Lord knew that Peter would probably need someone responsible who would think things through—and perhaps stop him from doing something silly.

When we work together in pairs or teams, it isn’t long before we realize that, in some ways, we are quite different. Each of us has certain strengths (things we are good at), and some weaknesses. By working in a team, we learn new ways of doing things by watching others do things they are good at. There are many advantages when we work together; here are just a few:

• We can encourage one another when things get tough.

• We learn to pray for each other’s needs.

• We get things done that we couldn’t do alone.

• We can laugh together and have lots of fun!

Verse for today

In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now. Philippians 1:4-5