Scripture Story Sketch Notes · Matthew 10; Mark 6:7–13; Luke 9:1–6
Sending Out the Twelve
“Freely ye have received, freely give.” Matthew 10:8
Jesus called twelve ordinary men, gave them His power, and sent them two by two to preach and heal. He told them what to carry, what to leave, and that the Father would watch over them.
Jesus called twelve of His disciples and gave them power to cast out evil spirits and to heal every kind of sickness. Matthew names them as apostles, from Peter and Andrew to Judas Iscariot. Jesus sent them first to “the lost sheep of the house of Israel,” to preach that the kingdom of heaven was at hand and to heal the sick. Because they had freely received, they were to freely give.
He told them to travel without money, a food bag or extra clothes, staying with people who welcomed them and leaving peace on each worthy home. He warned that they would be like sheep among wolves, and promised that the Spirit of their Father would give them words. The Father who notices every sparrow knew them, and even a cup of cold water given to one of His disciples would be rewarded.
Who’s who
Jesus Christ: who calls, gives power and sends
The Twelve: ordinary men called as apostles
The households: families who welcomed the apostles
The little ones: anyone who offers even a cup of water
Where and when
Galilee, where Jesus called the Twelve and sent them to nearby towns and villages of Israel.
Watch for the Savior
Watch what Jesus gives the Twelve, what He tells them to leave behind, and what He promises them.
Eight stops from a hillside calling to a cup of cold water. Scroll, or tap a number on the map.
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The story, plainly
Four scenes: the calling, the road, the doorway and the well. Look for the Savior in each one.
Read it plainly
The words that trip people up
Tap any dotted word for its meaning. The scripture stays exactly as written.1
Matthew 10:8“Meaning: heal people with a serious skin disease that kept them apart from others.”
Matthew 10:9“nor Meaning: copper or bronze coins. in your purses”
Matthew 10:10“nor Meaning: a traveler’s bag for food and supplies. for your journey”
Matthew 10:10“nor yet Meaning: walking sticks.”
Matthew 10:12“Meaning: greet. it”
Matthew 10:29“sold for a Meaning: a very small coin.”
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Look closer
Small details tell the story. Some cards are details in the text; others share insights from Church leaders, Church resources or outside sources. Each card says which.
0 of 9 turned
All nine. The hands, the sheep, the staff, the purse, the sandals, the door, the dove, the sparrow and the cup. Matthew 10
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Where are you?
Not sure what to say, feeling small, ready to go, or serving in small ways. Which feels most like you right now?
A next step for you
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Try it
Pack for the journey
Jesus told the Twelve what to take and what to leave behind. Sort each item into the right pile.
They traveled light, but never empty-handed.
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Their world, their words
A little background on apostles, travel bags and hospitality helps the story come alive. Outside sources are labeled.
Church leader · President Hinckley
One sent forth
President Hinckley: an apostle is “one sent forth with certain authority and responsibility.”5
Called and sent.
Church resource · Student manual
Purse and scrip
“In the Savior’s time, a purse carried money, while a scrip was a larger bag used to carry food and other supplies.”4
They carried neither.
Church resource · Student manual
Welcome
Relying on others for food and lodging “was in harmony with the hospitality and social customs of the day.”4
Homes opened their doors.
Scripture · Mark 6; Luke 9
Two by two
Mark adds that He sent them “by two and two.” Luke says they went “preaching the gospel, and healing every where.”23
Read all three.
Word study · Greek
apostolos ἀπόστολος · “apostles” (Matthew 10:2)
Bible Hub: “a delegate; specially, an ambassador of the Gospel.”7Outside · lexicon
Matthew calls the twelve disciples “apostles” right as Jesus sends them. The title itself means someone sent with a message.1
They hadn’t earned the power Jesus gave them. So they gave it away without charging anyone.1
What the text does not say
Jesus doesn’t send them unprepared or alone. He doesn’t promise an easy road, either. He gives power, sends them in pairs, promises the Spirit will give them words, and reminds them the Father counts every hair on their heads.1
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Look to Him
He called, gave power and sent. He promised His Spirit, His Father’s care and a reward for every small kindness.
“To give comfort to those who mourn, to give strength to those who are weak, to give encouragement to those who falter, to befriend the friendless.”
Everything on this page as a 11-page letter-size PDF: the map, scenes, cards, activity, word studies, tracker, Go deeper and sources. For home, class or a quiet Sunday.
Sending Out the Twelve is part of the Scripture Story Sketch Notes for the New Testament, set alongside Come, Follow Me for March 1–7, 2027 (Matthew 9–10; Mark 5; Luke 9).
Independent study notes from Weak Things, not an official publication of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Scripture quotations are from the King James Version. The words are in Matthew 10, Mark 6:7–13 and Luke 9:1–6; the insights in “Look closer” are labeled by source.
