A timeless classic on discipleship and leadership in the footsteps of Christ.
First published in 1871, The Training of the Twelve by A. B. Bruce remains one of the most insightful and respected studies on how Jesus mentored and trained His disciples. Drawing from all four Gospels in a seamless harmony, Bruce takes readers on a chronological journey through Christ’s ministry—focusing not on the crowds, but on the twelve men He personally discipled to carry forward His mission.
Rather than offering formulas or how-to steps, Bruce lets the words and actions of Jesus speak for themselves. Through detailed exegesis and profound theological insight, he explores how Christ corrected, challenged, encouraged, and equipped His followers—giving readers a vivid picture of what it means to truly make disciples.
Inside, readers will discover:
A deep exploration of Jesus’s methods in teaching His disciples
Clear biblical exposition of key Gospel passages
Insight into the spiritual and emotional development of the Twelve
Leadership lessons rooted in Scripture, not strategy
A valuable resource for teachers, pastors, and serious students of the Word
Though written in the language of the 19th century, the book’s truths remain as fresh and relevant today as ever. The Training of the Twelve is essential reading for anyone called to Christian leadership or desiring a closer walk with Christ through obedient discipleship.
Alexander Balmain Bruce (1831-1899) was a Scottish churchman and theologian. He was a minister of the Free Church of Scotland. He was born at Aberargie near Perth, Scotland. His father suffered for his adherence to the Free Church at the Disruption of 1843, and moved to Edinburgh, where Alexander was educated, showing exceptional ability from the first. His early religious doubts, awakened especially by David Strauss's Life of Jesus, made him throughout life sympathetic with those who underwent a similar stress. After serving as assistant first at Ancrum, then at Lochwinnoch, he was called to Cardross in Dumbartonshire (now Dunbartonshire) in 1859, and to Broughty Ferry in 1868. There he published his first notable exegetical work, the Training of the Twelve. In 1874 he delivered his Cunningham Lectures, afterwards published as The Humiliation of Christ, and in the following year was appointed to the chair of Apologetics and New Testament exegesis at the Free Church College, Glasgow, a post he held for twenty-four years. He was one of the first British New Testament scholars whose work was received favourably in Germany. The character and work of Christ were, he held, the ultimate proof and the best defence of Christianity; and his tendency was to concentrate attention somewhat narrowly on the historic Jesus. In The Kingdom of God (1889), which first encountered serious hostile criticism in his own communion, he accounted for some of the differences between the first and third evangelists on the principle of accommodation--maintaining that Saint Luke had altered both the text and the spirit of his sources to suit the needs of those for whom he wrote. It was held that these admissions were not consistent with the views of inspiration professed by the Free Church of Scotland. When the case was tried, the assembly held that the charge of heresy was based on a misunderstanding, but that by want of due care in his mode of statement he had given some ground for the painful impressions which had existed. Bruce rendered great service to his own communion in connection with its service of praise. He was convener of the committee which issued the Free Church hymn book, and he threw into this work the same energy and catholicity of mind which marked the rest of his activities.
