Twelve Ordinary Men

By: John MacArthur

Narrated by: Maurice England

Length: 7 hrs and 46 mins

Publisher's summary

You don't have to be perfect to do God's work. Look no further than the twelve disciples, whose many weaknesses are forever preserved throughout the pages of the New Testament. Join best-selling author John MacArthur in Twelve Ordinary Men as he draws principles from Christ's careful, hands-on training of the original disciples for today's modern disciple, you!

Jesus chose ordinary men - fishermen, tax collectors, political zealots - and turned their weakness into strength, producing greatness from people who were otherwise unremarkable. The twelve disciples weren't the stained-glass saints we imagine. On the contrary, they were truly human, all too prone to mistakes, misstatements, wrong attitudes, lapses of faith, and bitter failure. Simply put, they were flawed people, just like us. But under Jesus' teaching and touch, they became a force that forever changed the world.

MacArthur takes you into the inner circle of the disciples - their selection, their training, their personalities, and their incredible impact. As MacArthur took a closer look at the lives of the twelve disciples, he found himself asking difficult questions along the way, including:

• Why did Jesus pick each of the twelve disciples?
• How did Jesus teach them everything he could in just eighteen short months?
• Can the lessons that Jesus taught the disciples can still influence our faith today?

In Twelve Ordinary Men, you'll learn that disciples are living proof that God's strength is made perfect in weakness. As you get to know the men who walked with Jesus, you'll see that if he can accomplish his purposes through them, he can do the same through you.

©2006 John F. MacArthur (P)2020 Thomas Nelson

Absolutely life changing and amazing

I love the comparison of the disciples before Jesus and after Jesus! So in depth and so real! It gives you so much courage that we too can become like them through Christ! After reading this book I found a lot of comparisons with “THE CHOSEN” series wish I felt like it really brought the book to life 😍 can’t wait to read more for this author. He makes hard ideas easily understood and brings to light a lot of things we don’t take into consideration of the life people lived back then! He is very knowledgeable of that time and it really comes across in his writing ✍🏼

twelve ordinary men who became extraordinary

I love the fact that this story was supported by scripture at every turn. The account of Judas was especially enlightening.

12 Ordinary Men

Interesting look at the disciples. Definitely learned things I didn’t know about them. This book really hammers home the fact that these men were not extraordinary but Jesus used them and shaped them to be pillars of the faith. Author may tag a few liberties here and there but overall it’s a good read that’ll make you think.

Awesome Story!

This book gave me additional insight on the apostles. thank you for this. loved the history lessons in between

Scripture reference

This was an excellent book. I admit that I was annoyed by the excessive scripture references but was fully entraweled by the background and support information regarding each Disciple. It should be required reading. :-)

Awesome@

I listened to this book every night for weeks. I looked forward to it every night. I am sure I will hear it again.

Insightful and illuminating perspectives on the apostles

I appreciated the deep character sketches and context MacArthur brings to the study of the 12 apostles. Pulling together scripture and historical accounts, he brings to life motivations, weaknesses, strengths (even those strengths apostles used to excess), with an ever increasing focus on how the Lord uses and works through ordinary people to achieve his plans.

True leadership

If want to learn what true leadership looks like and how Jesus sees each individual, then this is the book to read. It is a testament of how Jesus views each person for not only their good, but bad; their strengths and weaknesses. Because God is exalted in the weak things of this world.

Excellent portrayal of the 12

Really enjoyed! Only 4 star because of so many references to calvinism. Otherwise, what he has to say about the ministry of Christ and the change in the 12 apostles is very solid

This reader is EXCELLENT

The person presenting this book easily keeps my attention. Great content without a good reader is pointless.