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A disciple is a person who accepts the teachings of another whom she or he regards as a leader. But there is more to being a good disciple than this. By studying the Marks Gospel a Christian can learn what being a disciple is all about.

Authority constantly mentioned throughout Marks gospel is extremely important. Disciples are entrusted with the authority to drive out evil just like Jesus.

“Jesus sends his disciples out with authority to drive out evil spirits. They are to take a staff- but should not take bread, money, a bag or an extra coat.”

Authority, which has the ability to overcome evil, teaches Christians reading Mark that good is able to overcome evil. It shows Christians that by becoming a disciple you will be able to drive out evil and save yourself from sin.

“Where they are made welcome, they are to stay in that place until they leave town. Where they are not welcome they are to shake the dust from their feet as a marker to others.”

By reading this in Mark, a Christian would realise that to become a disciple you would need to practice and preach the word of the lord. This quote proves that a good disciple practices the teachings and spreads them as well.

I have shown two examples of what being a good disciple is about. These guidelines are very costly. Who would want to leave their families too teach others how to live their lives. Or who would want o give up wealth and their luxuries to travel with no possessions? Being a disciple is undoubtedly a consuming job. Nobody wants to add burden to their life, so discipleship must have its rewards.

Indeed it does, and these rewards are unmatched by anything on this world. A good example is that of the rich man. He followed all the teachings strictly and lived his life as a good, wealthy man. However he was not able to give up his wealth, thus not being able top go closer to heaven. However it’s not all-hard work, Jesus said…

“Whatever you give up now, you’ll get a hundred times as much, both now and in the future.”

This teaching from Mark not only relates to wealth and money, but also to people are being prosecuted by others, it tells of how whatever you sacrifice now, you will get more than that is humanly possible on earth in heaven. However some may not be able to see Gods plan and they may prefer the riches of this world.

But there are more costs than wealth, you must also leave your family, if you are prepared to spread the word of God and save sinners, you cant be staying with your family if you wish to achieve this goal. This is a very difficult thing to do but God has added another reward to help ease the pain of leaving a loved one behind. God said that in heaven you would have hundred more times’ wealth and a family bigger than that possible on earth.

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And by bearing prosecution on earth from others, and by carrying your cross, you will receive eternal life, maybe the most valuable of all rewards.

By reading the gospel of Mark any person can learn the true nature of discipleship. By being a servant to god you will gin all these rewards, in Marks it says…

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“Explain how this teaching about discipleship might effect the life of a Christian today”

Today there are many things that make it easier ...

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