When we talk about replacing the 12th apostle, it’s a great time to review the other 11. This little domino game is a perfect way to do that. This is a mini domino set, it has small cards and a reduced number so it can be printed on one page. It’s best suited to younger kids.
Numbers are of such massive significance to the scriptures that it’s not surprising the apostles felt unsettled by being 11 and not 12. Clearly they decided to do something about it, though later passages will show their number would soon be persecuted and replacements no longer were an option to choose. It is noted that although Matthias is selected, Justus went on to become a prominent bishop, and so his story does not end with not being picked.
This retold version of the Bible passage is supplied for inspiration, feel free to omit or embellish to give it your personal voice.
Why did Jesus choose twelve apostles? Do you know? I wonder if you have a favourite number? In many cultures around the world, seven is considered a lucky number; some people think thirteen is unlucky. The Bible has lots of numbers that appear many times.
The number three is often used to mean complete. Many things are in sets of three. I wonder if you can think of an example? Numbers became special to the people who studied scripture. The numbers three, seven, twelve and forty appear in stories again and again.
So when Jesus chose apostles, it wasn’t surprising that he chose twelve. That number had often been used to represent everyone. There were twelve tribes of Israel, and so twelve was often used to represent a fair government. Even today, you often have twelve people on a jury in court. The problem was that there weren’t twelve apostles anymore. Judas had betrayed Jesus, and now there were only eleven. The twelve were incomplete.
We often think of Jesus travelling with just twelve men, but that’s only part of the picture. Jesus travelled with a whole crowd of people. Men and women who didn’t get chosen to be apostles, all people who had met Jesus and whose lives had changed forever. Around 120 people were in the crowd after Jesus left the disciples and went up to Heaven to be with his father.
Peter stood up and talked to everyone. They had all heard what had happened to Judas, how he had died. Peter asked if there was anyone there who had been with the group since John baptised Jesus, anyone who had travelled all the places Jesus had travelled, heard all the teaching he had shared, and seen Jesus after he came back from the dead. Peter asked if someone could complete the number by being the new twelfth apostle.
Slowly the people started to whisper; “When did you join the crowd?” “How about you?” “I think I missed that bit!” Eventually they found just two men: Justus and Matthias. The disciples prayed; then they decided they would cast lots.
Casting lots could mean a lot of things. Sometimes it meant rolling a dice or flipping a coin or drawing sticks to see who gets the shortest. It may seem like a strange way to decide something, but they believed God would make sure of the right outcome.
The lot fell to Matthias; he was named the new apostle. The twelve were complete again and ready for the next stage of their great Jesus adventure.
Cornelius learned that all people are God’s people, not just the ones who had a certain heritage. This little face making activity lets your youngsters make up a myriad of characters all of whom are God’s people because they are people!
To make this craft, you will need the 1-page template printout and scissors.
Cut out all the pieces. It works best if you remove the outer cut out lines. Small pieces like the eyes have skin colour around them that can be cut into.
Select the pieces you want to use to make your face. Layer the pieces to create your character (keep the scissors handy to trim off any extra surround you don’t need)
Either stick the pieces in place on your final face design or place all the pieces in a small bag to take your craft home.
Help keep the free items on this site free by donating. This site supports my family as we live by God's great economy.
This is a story of inclusivity. It’s a story about people who had always been treated as less, getting to be a full part of God’s work. It’s a story that repeats itself in almost every generation, and our modern-day Cornelius and Peter may not be the people we expect.
How long can a child keep a balloon in the air? Let them play solo, then in pairs, then 4’s until there is only one group. Link: We achieve more working together.
Included
All Ages
Any size group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
The aim of the game is to get through as many cards as possible while getting to know the group you are playing with. Click on the image for the link to the full game and instructions. Link: God’s family thrives by being inclusive.
Many colours
All Ages
Small group
Requires setup time
Quiet game
Can be seated
Split your kids into 3 groups. Give each group one colour of play-dough. Ask them how many colours they can make without leaving their group. Now let the groups mix and set the same challenge. Link : God’s world is more beautiful when we link our gifts.
Echoes
All Ages
Any size group
No Setup time
Noisy game
Can be seated
A simple mimic game where the first person taps out a small beat and passes it around the group, once it reaches the last person, they change the beat. Add in sound effects as your group gets more confident. Link : It was time to change the beat of faith for Peter to include the gentiles.
Here are the images you need for the hero’s attributes linked to ‘Cornelius (Acts 10)’ – where Peter welcomes gentiles into the faith.
Each hero set contains a high quality graphic of the character, a take home bible card and a colouring page.
The images are displayed small here, click on the image you wish to have, then save the image that loads. (These images are not copyright free, they are for personal/classroom use only.)
