Explain the meaning of discipleship.

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Discipleship The word disciple is derived from the Latin discipulus meaning pupil or learner.  In Mark’s gospel there is reference to the disciples of the Pharisees 2:19 and the followers of John the Baptist were known as disciples.  Although Jesus was not officially recognised as a teacher he was popularly known as teacher or rabbi 8:5, 11:21 and his associates were known as disciples.  The word could be used to describe all those who responded to his message but it generally refers to a select 12 named in 3:16-19, who were all called personally by Jesus.  To be a disciple then meant an exclusive loyalty to Jesus and readiness to put Jesus first whatever the cost.  He chose the disciples in order to train them to share in his work of preaching and healing, and to eventually carry on his mission after he had departed.  In a sense he was to live on in them. Such an attitude goes well beyond a normal pupil-teacher relationship, giving the word disciple a whole new meaning. Today the meaning is watered down slightly as Jesus is not present today but those who choose to follow Jesus by becoming a priest or missionary, for example, are still required to set aside any personal wishes and commit fully to God whatever the cost.  However, most Christians today are not required to undergo harsh persecution in their discipleship, as the disciples would have received in Jesus’ time.  However, discipleship can still be dangerous today: In 2000 165,000 Christians died for their faith and in the last 10 years 603 missionaries have been murdered or killed as part of war.Jesus called the disciples with great personal authority at the beginning of Mark’s gospel.  In chapters 1-2 we are told how Jesus called five men to become his first disciples.  In 1:16-20 Jesus calls four fishermen the first four were called.   They were Simon, Andrew, James and
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John.  Jesus sees Simon and his brother Andrew catching fish with a net.  He said to them come with me and I will teach you to catch people.  They immediately left their nets and followed him.  He then called James and John; they too immediately left what they were doing to follow Jesus.  Jesus means that they will catch people for God, or bring them to the faith.  We see from this account that Jesus chooses ordinary people to be his disciples, they don’t have to be well educated or clever, he only chooses those who are willing to follow ...

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