Explain the meaning of discipleship for: The first Christians and Christians today.

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Explain the meaning of discipleship for: The first Christians and Christians today.

The word disciple comes from the Latin word "discipulus". Translated into English, this means learner. We understand today that disciple means to be a follower of Jesus. A disciple is known to be a pupil or a follower of a teacher.

The Calling of the Disciples took place on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. This was when Jesus met his Disciples and asked them whether they wanted to give up their lives to follow God's ways. He then re-named them. First of all, he chose five disciples, four of them on the banks of the Sea of Galilee. First he saw Simon and his brother Andrew fishing. As stated in Mark 1:16-18, he said, " 'Follow me and I will make you into fishers of men'. And at once they left their nets and followed him." The fact that Jesus called Simon and Andrew is to show we Christians today, that anyone can be a follower of God, this is because they are portrayed as ordinary people, not special people. Simon and Andrew do not hesitate in their answer, they act immediately, which is the true discipleship spirit. A disciple should be prepared to give up their life for God when asked. This is stressed again when Jesus calls on Levi from the custom-house (Mark 2:13-14). We know Jesus to have 12 disciples, and when the last seven were appointed they were called upon to do three things: to preach; to cast out devils and demons; and to be Jesus' personal companions. This is shown in Mark 3:14.

To become a disciple of Jesus, there was a huge price to pay. Early Christians, and followers of Jesus and God first found this out. This is shown in the calling of the disciples because upon calling James and John, they had to leave their father Zebedee. They were fishermen, and stated in Mark 1:20, "And, leaving their father Zebedee in their boat with the men he employed, they went after him." This shows that the cost of being a follower was to give up your belongings, your job and your family. It is even expressed by Jesus himself that being a Christian is not easy, for in Mark 8:34 he says, "Anyone who wishes to be a follower of mine must leave self behind, he must take up his cross and come with me." For a Christian it is essential to know what these things mean. They mean putting yourself and your wants last, following God's ways to death, and you shall eventually be rewarded in heaven with eternal life. Jesus tested the twelve's faith, courage, determination, dedication, love, obedience and patience in giving them their first mission (Mark 6:7-13). It was to be carried out under very strict conditions. They were given the authority to cast out unclean spirits, and they were instructed to do so in a number of districts. He sent them out in pairs, and they were instructed to have nothing on their journey except a staff, tunic and sandals. No spare tunic, no bread or food, and no coppers for their purses. Jesus also said to them, "If you enter a house anywhere, stay there until you leave the district." (Mark 6:7-10).
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We are shown that the disciples are not special people who never make mistakes; they do not understand the true meaning of greatness or of what Jesus was put on the earth to do. They are very ignorant like all humans. This is portrayed by them in a number of ways, for example, the Request of James and John (Mark 10:35-45), in this account, James and John misunderstand the work of Jesus, for they think he will be a great political or military leader, so they ask Jesus if they can be seated at his right and left ...

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