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The Minyan
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“Dr. C. David Jones has given us a marvelous and expansive piece of research work and writing in this book in which he tells the fascinating story of the original twelve men and then the thirteenth man who joined them to form a very special Minyan: their lives changed the world!” --from the “Introduction” by Dr. Maxie D. Dunnam, President of Asbury Theological Seminary THE MINYAN, by Dr. C. David Jones, is an account of the lives, ministry and legends of each of the thirteen Apostles, who were members of the Minyan of Jesus Christ. The book provides new materials based upon historical research, the principles of biblical redaction criticism/analysis and an examination of the sociological, inter-personal and group dynamics of this amazing group of Jesus' Apostles. The Appendices include a unique Minyan sociogram and maps that offer additional resources to the reader. Dr. Maxie D. Dunnam, President of Asbury Theological Seminary, Wilmore, KY is author of the "Introduction." CAN YOU name the Thirteen Apostles of Jesus Christ? When asked that question one fellow said, “Sure!” Then he confidently began to rattle off their names: “Matthew, Mark, Luke, John . . .” He paused for a moment, puzzled and bewildered, and then continued: “Happy, Dopey, Grumpy, Doc . . . He really didn’t know who the Apostles were but, undaunted, he rattled off the first names that came to his mind. There were, however, actually thirteen men who made up the “Minyan.” A MINYAN is the number of adult Jews required to form a synagogue or a Hebrew congregation. The necessary quorum that must be present for the daily prayers or for any special prayers or services of Hebrew worship is ten. Originally the number was twelve -– the same number of the original twelve tribes of Israel. The Rabbi, Jesus of Nazareth, chose twelve men to form his own itinerant “Minyan” to travel with him wherever he went throughout his earthly ministry. THE HISTORIC ACCOUNT of the Apostolic Minyan begins with the enigmatic figure of St. John the Baptist. His story is the Prologue to the chapters that follow in The MINYAN. THE CENTRAL FIGURE around whom all else revolves is the dynamic and mystical person of JESUS CHRIST. What made him choose these particular twelve men for his Minyan? Explore with the author the powerful sociological dynamics and religious ferment that impacted the lives of these men. DISCOVER the identity of the “first” apostle; learn the secret of the fisherman who walked on water; then meet the first apostolic martyr, the Greek nobleman and the noble Egyptian rabbi, the boy with loaves and fishes who became the teen-age apostle, the skeptical shipwright, the revenuer, the guerrilla revolutionaries and terrorists among the Minyan, the embezzling treasurer, and the man who came out on “the short end of the stick!” EXAMINE the Sociogram which charts the inter-relationships within the Minyan and shows how many of the men were relatives of the Rabbi Jesus. See the interlocking forces that knit business partners and tradesmen together. Trace the travels of the Minyan on the maps and follow them as they spread the Good News of God’s love to the far corners of the Roman Empire and beyond. FOLLOW in the EPILOGUE the influence of the Minyan and the development of Christianity through the centuries to modern times. You will be amazed and astounded at the lives and ministries of these thirteen men who had such a profound impact in turning our world “Upside-down” or, more exactly, in helping to turn it “Right-side UP!” Read an excerpt from The MinyanTop of pageStudy and Leader's GuidesSince its publication last year, the book has been well received, and a number of churches have been using The MINYAN as a study resource for youth and adult Sunday School classes and Mid-week Bible Study groups. Requests for a Study Guide and Leader's Manual for use with the book have prompted the author to develop The MINYAN Study Guide and The MINYAN Leader's Manual, which have just been published early in 2005. It may be that some of your youth and adult Sunday School classes and Bible Study groups would enjoy using these publications as part of your Christian Education ministries. The MINYAN, which tells about the lives and ministries of the Apostles, can be used as a sequel to Mel Gibson's epic film The Passion of Christ, and it would be especially appropriate for use during the Lenten and Pentecost seasons. I hope that you will find The MINYAN informative and interesting reading. HOW TO GET THE MOST FROM THE MINYAN STUDY The MINYAN Study Guide is designed to be user-friendly and easy to use. For each section and chapter of the book there are a series of questions and discussion foci that are offered to assist the readers in giving attention to some of the salient facts and findings of the book. Discussion of the answers to these questions can help to stimulate the exchange of ideas and reflection upon those matters of special interest that are relevant to our lives, our faith and our own individual discipleship as twenty-first century Christians. With the exception of question number 2 in the Epilogue, the answers to all of the questions can be found within the respective chapters. It will be very helpful if you examine the Endnotes and have your Bible handy so you can look up the Scripture references that document the information presented in the book. A good Bible Commentary can also be another very helpful resource. The information, inspiration and benefit that you will receive from this study will be in proportion to your careful reading of each chapter in advance, then looking for the answers to the questions and contributing to the discussions. You may want to make notes and write down additional questions and points of interest for discussion. If possible, attend every session and arrive a few minutes early so your group can begin on time and make the most of the review and discussion of each chapter. Be sure to look for ways in which the information and inspiration derived from the lives of the Apostles is applicable to our own lives today. Pray for the leader and others in your discussion group. God bless you in your study of The MINYAN. |
