Literalists approach. They are fundamentalists who believe the bible is literal, or historically true
Most Christians agree about the main points. These differences in interpretation may influence what they feel in the nature of discipleship. Together us as Christians most agree on the characteristics of a good disciple of Christ.
Definition of discipleship
One who embraces and assists in spreading the teachings of another.
Discipleship means being prepared to follow Jesus. This can involve suffering, rejection and death.
The word follower means disciple. A disciple is one who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially, a follower who has learned to believe in the truth of the doctrine of his teacher; a believer in doctrine
Background to discipleship A Christian disciple is a person who follows the way and teaching of Jesus Christ. Mark selects incidents from Jesus’ ministry which will help people to understand what it means to be Christian. The guidance Mark presents in his gospel is a challenge to Christians today. Mark shows that anything Jesus asked his disciples to do, he puts into practice himself. Jesus acted with POWER and AUTHORITY; some examples are miracles in how he forgives us are sins. Jesus set out to preach the good news and tell people to turn away from sin and repent.
Call and response
The call of the first disciples As Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee; he saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him. When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed him.
Jesus needed companions to help him accomplish his task. The first four to be called by Jesus were fishermen. They were two pairs of brothers: Simon (Peter which means rock) and Andrew, James and John
Why fishermen? There are many reasons why Jesus choose fishermen and a few are patience: They often fished all night, sometimes with no look.
Courage: the Sea of Galilee was a dangerous place.
Common sense: practical, no-nonsense men hard-working: conscientious men
Jesus did not select them because they were religious, rather he saw their potential. The response of the f our men was immediate
Mark highlights two important points:
- Jesus had the authority to call these men who responded immediately
- The demands of discipleship: leave everything and follow, regardless of the cost. Costs =leaving family, jobs and homes to go and follow Jesus.
The calling of the other eight disciples
The calling of Levi: As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax’s collector’s booth. “Fellow me,” Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.
The call of the lord’s initiative it is he who calls them
The appointing of the twelve apostles: Jesus went up on a mountainside and called to him those he wanted, and they came to him. He appointed twelve designating them apostles that they might be with him and that he might send them out to preach and to have authority to drive out demons. These are the twelve he appointed: Simon (to whom he gave the name Peter); James son of Zebedee and his brother John (to them he gave the name Boanerges, which means Sons of Thunder); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Zealot and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.
Response: The response was immediate, Jesus had a magnetic personality and his command revealed the authority of Jesus’ word Some people think Jesus called twelve disciples because there where twelve tribes of Israel
