Jesus Sends His Apostles: An ESL Bible Study on Luke 9:1-9

This Bible study series is for people who are learning English. It is designed for advanced beginner and intermediate learners, but children or adults who prefer simple English may also enjoy it. I also have a Sunday School lesson on Luke 9:1-17 that may work better for native English speakers.

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Luke 9:1-9 Printable Discussion Questions

Luke 9:1-9 Printable ERV Passage

Lesson Icebreaker Question

Have you ever gone on a trip or done a job where you could only take a few things with you? What did you take?

Lesson Highlight

In this lesson, we will learn how Jesus sent his helpers, called apostles, to tell people about God and heal the sick. We will also hear how a ruler named Herod was confused about who Jesus was.

Vocabulary Lists for the ERV Bible Translation

Key Vocabulary Words (10 words)

apostle: (noun) One of the special followers Jesus chose to send out with a message.
confused: (adjective) To feel mixed up and not able to think clearly.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
Good News: (phrase) The message about Jesus and how he saves people.
mission: (noun) A special job that someone is sent to do.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
risen from death: (phrase) To have come back to life after being dead.
ruler: (noun) A person who governs or leads others.
warning: (noun) Something that tells you about a danger or a problem so you can be ready.

Important Words to Know (20 words)

apostle: (noun) One of the special followers Jesus chose to send out with a message.
bag: (noun) A container made of cloth or skin used to carry things.
confused: (adjective) To feel mixed up and not able to think clearly.
continue: (verb) To keep doing something.
cut off: (phrase) To remove something by using a knife or a sharp tool.
demon: (noun) An evil spirit that follows the devil.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
Good News: (phrase) The message about Jesus and how he saves people.
heal: (verb) To make a sick or hurt person well again.
mission: (noun) A special job that someone is sent to do.
power: (noun) Strength or the ability to do something.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
risen from death: (phrase) To have come back to life after being dead.
ruler: (noun) A person who governs or leads others.
shake off the dust: (phrase) To move your hands or feet quickly to remove dust or dirt.
sickness: (noun) A state of being ill or unhealthy.
some: 1. (adjective) An amount that is not specific. 2. (pronoun) A few people.
travel: (verb) To go from one place to another.
warning: (noun) Something that tells you about a danger or a problem so you can be ready.

Complete Lesson Word Bank

also: (adverb) In addition to something else.
apostle: (noun) One of the special followers Jesus chose to send out with a message.
bag: (noun) A container made of cloth or skin used to carry things.
call: (verb) To speak a name to get someone’s attention.
carry: (verb) To hold something and move it from one place to another.
clothes: (noun) Things that people wear to cover their bodies.
confused: (adjective) To feel mixed up and not able to think clearly.
continue: (verb) To keep doing something.
cut off: (phrase) To remove something by using a knife or a sharp tool.
demon: (noun) An evil spirit that follows the devil.
dust: (noun) Tiny pieces of dirt in the air or on the ground.
Elijah: (noun) A famous prophet who served God a long time ago.
everywhere: (adverb) In every place.
feet: (noun) The parts of the body at the end of the legs that a person stands on.
force out: (phrase) To make someone or something leave a place when they do not want to go.
God: (noun) The creator and ruler of everything.
God’s kingdom: (phrase) The place or way where God rules as king.
Good News: (phrase) The message about Jesus and how he saves people.
happen: (verb) To take place.
head: (noun) The top part of the body with the brain and face.
heal: (verb) To make a sick or hurt person well again.
heard: (verb) To have received sound with your ears.
Herod: (noun) A king who ruled in Israel during the time of Jesus.
Jesus: (noun) The Son of God and the Savior of the world!
John the Baptizer: (noun) A man sent by God to tell people that Jesus was coming.
leave: (verb) To go away from a place.
long ago: (adverb) A very long time in the past.
mission: (noun) A special job that someone is sent to do.
only: (adjective) Just one and no more.
power: (noun) Strength or the ability to do something.
prophet: (noun) A person who speaks messages from God.
risen from death: (phrase) To have come back to life after being dead.
ruler: (noun) A person who governs or leads others.
send: (verb) To cause someone or something to go to a place.
sent: (verb) To have caused someone to go to a place.
shake off the dust: (phrase) To move your hands or feet quickly to remove dust or dirt.
sick: (adjective) Not feeling well or having a disease.
sickness: (noun) A state of being ill or unhealthy.
stay: (verb) To not leave a place.
take: (verb) To get or carry something away.
through: (preposition) Moving from one side to the other.
together: (adverb) With each other.
told: (verb) To have given information to someone.
town: (noun) A place where many people live that is smaller than a city.
travel: (verb) To go from one place to another.
trip: (noun) A journey to a place.
try: (verb) To make an effort to do something.
until: (preposition) Up to a certain time.
walking stick: (phrase) A long piece of wood that a person holds to help them walk.
warning: (noun) Something that tells you about a danger or a problem so you can be ready.
wear: (verb) To have clothes on your body.
welcome: (verb) To greet someone in a friendly way.
went: (verb) To have moved to another place.

Summary of the Passage

This passage tells us about Jesus sending his twelve apostles to do special work. Apostles were people who followed Jesus and learned from him. Jesus gave them power to heal sick people and send out bad spirits. He also told them to tell about God’s Kingdom, which means teaching people about God’s love and how to live his way.

Before they left, Jesus told them to travel simply. He said not to take food, money, or extra clothes. They were to stay in the homes of kind people who welcomed them. If people did not want to listen or be kind, the apostles were to leave and shake the dust off their feet. This was a special sign. It showed that the apostles were finished with their work in that town. It was a warning that the people had missed a chance to learn about God.

While this was happening, a ruler named Herod heard about Jesus and was confused. People told Herod different things about Jesus. Some said Jesus was a prophet from long ago. Some thought he was John the Baptizer, who had died. Herod was very curious and wanted to see Jesus for himself.

This passage shows us that Jesus gives his followers important jobs. It teaches us that telling people about God and helping others is important work. It also reminds us that not everyone will listen, but God’s workers should keep going with courage.

Read The Passage

Most English learners should use the Easy-to-Read Version (ERV), the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV), or the Good News Translation (GNT). If you want to try something harder, you can read one of the other Bible versions.

Jesus Sends His Apostles on a Mission
1 Jesus called his twelve apostles together.
He gave them power to heal sicknesses and power to force demons out of people.
2 He sent them to tell about God’s kingdom and to heal the sick.
3 He said to them,
“When you travel, don’t take a walking stick.
Also, don’t carry a bag, food, or money.
Take for your trip only the clothes you are wearing.
4 When you go into a house, stay there until it is time to leave.
5 If the people in the town will not welcome you, go outside the town and shake the dust off your feet as a warning to them.”
6 So the apostles went out.
They traveled through all the towns.
They told the Good News and healed people everywhere.
Herod Is Confused About Jesus
7 Herod the ruler heard about all these things that were happening.
He was confused because some people said,
“John the Baptizer has risen from death.”
8 Others said,
“Elijah has come to us.”
And some others said,
“One of the prophets from long ago has risen from death.”
9 Herod said,
“I cut off John’s head.
So who is this man I hear these things about?”
Herod continued trying to see Jesus.
Luke 9:1-9 (ERV)

Very Easy: Easy-to-Read Version: Luke 9:1-9 (ERV)
Very Easy: New International Reader’s Version: Luke 9:1-9 (NIRV)
Easy: Good News Translation: Luke 9:1-9 (GNT)
Medium: New Living Translation: Luke 9:1-9 (NLT)
Hard: New International Version: Luke 9:1-9 (NIV)
Very Hard: English Standard Version: Luke 9:1-9 (ESV)

Luke 9:1-9 Printable ERV Passage

Comprehension Questions

What did Jesus give to his twelve apostles?
What did Jesus tell the apostles to do?
What were the apostles told not to take with them?
What should the apostles do if people did not welcome them?
Where did the apostles travel?
What did the apostles tell to the people?
Who was Herod?
Why was Herod confused about Jesus?
What did some people say about who Jesus was?
What did Herod want to do when he heard about Jesus?

Application Questions

Why do you think Jesus told the apostles to take very little with them?
How do you feel when someone welcomes you into their home or group?
What would you say to someone if you wanted to tell them about God?
Why is it important to keep going even if some people do not listen to us?
How can we be brave like the apostles when we talk about what we believe?

Theological Insights

Jesus gives his followers power to do his work.
Telling about God’s Kingdom is important, even when some people do not want to listen.
God wants his followers to trust him to take care of their needs.
Some people may be confused about who Jesus is, but Christians believe he is the Son of God.
We should have courage and faith when doing God’s work.

Closing Prayer

Dear Father, Thank you for sending Jesus and his apostles to teach about you. Help us to be brave and kind as we share your love with others. Thank you for taking care of us. Amen.