Explain the meaning of discipleship for:a) The first Disciplesb) Christians to day

The first disciples were breaking new ground and had to learn as they went along. They needed blind faith in what they were doing and it was first hand knowledge of Jesus himself that gave them their courage and strength but, unlike to day, they had something more tangible to follow as Jesus was flesh and blood and could lead by physical example.

The early disciples were all called to follow on an equal basis but they had to give everything and follow immediately. They were taught that this did not mean they would be alone as they would be part of a much larger family which included Jesus.

The early disciples had very human failings. This is described best in Mark's Gospel possibly because he personally knew many of the early disciples and the other gospel writers came later, after the first followers had died. Mark saw them as men rather than heroes. One example of this is in Mark 4:38 and Luke 8:24 in the stilling of the storm. Mark tells of the disciples asking "Do you not care" Luke leaves this out possibly because the idea that the disciples would question Jesus would seem top disrespectful. Mark's earlier accounts of the first disciples is probably the most accurate as they would have had human failings as they were ordinary people trying to carry out an extraordinary job. They had failings like everyone else and even at the Last Supper Jesus told them they would all fall from their faith which horrified them but when he was arrested they all fled showing their human frailty. They were not super-human and their faith was always being tested. The lesson shown here was that if Jesus choose men with failings then their was hope and forgiveness available for all and gave the disciples the common touch that their followers could understand giving encouragement to the Church that followed them.

The job of the first disciples was to spread Jesus' words and to set up the first Church regardless of personal cost. They needed to have faith, humility, love for children, fidelity in marriage and they must receive the Kingdom of God like a child. These were the same then as they are now but in to day's society many interpretations are brought to bear and the earliest disciples had a simpler path to follow not only did they have first hand knowledge of Jesus but a far less complicated path to follow. For instance the question of fidelity was a much clearer issue then.

The early disciples set an example of what was expected of discipleship in the centuries to come and their main purpose was to spread the word of God.

B)

The meaning of discipleship today is very much the same as in Jesus' day. Battling against injustice, sickness, homeless and the sick. A disciple today is expected to follow Jesus' example. "If anyone wants to come with me, he must forget self, carry his cross and follow me...". Mark 8:34-38. To follow this path takes a great deal of courage and self-discipline to be able to follow this example. In today's society this can be very hard. The self-sacrifice involved in the modern world is probably a great deal more than in biblical times. As with the original disciples it most likely involves suffering and rejection even by family members. Church is becoming less important in today's world with many too involved in their pursuits of self-interest than to be interested in helping others. The following becomes smaller. In Jesus' day it was just beginning and seemed to spread even though the road was hard. Today's Christians not only have to contend with disbelief but also with disinterest and ridicule. The first disciples had Jesus, flesh and blood, but today we are dealing abstracts. History puts doubts in the believers minds and discipleship now not only is about spreading the word of God but also struggling to convince even those within the Church on the interpretation of God's message. It is difficult to spread the word if no one is clear what this word is.

Many still are true disciples. In everyday life many Christian's selflessly try to uphold the qualities of discipleship these being faith, humanity, to love children, fidelity in marriage and receive the Kingdom of God like a child. This can be seen in ordinary walks of life within people we meet everyday. Some take this much further and dedicate their whole lives to serving god and helping others. For instance missionaries in hostile countries risking everything to help others and use the gift that God has given them. Taking Christianity to people who need help and love. They not only spread God's word but help by practical means. Taking food, medicine and education to those who desperately need it. In many cases this can cause great hardship sometimes even death. For instance the Roman Catholic nuns and priests in El Salvador who are seen as a threat to the government and are killed for their beliefs, but these beliefs are so strong that it does not deter others from following on as they believe those they are helping have the greatest need. Truly following Jesus' example. Even today many still believe that they must denounce all their worldly goods and trust in God and the nuns and priests mentioned above are a good example of this. "it is much harder for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle" Mark 10:17 -31. This is an important teaching for modern disciples as many believe that this is inspiration for working with the poorest of the poor and living lives of poverty.

Discipleship in today's society may have many different pressures but basically the goals are very much the same. It is not an easy route to take and means much self-sacrifice, hardship, suffering and even rejection. Those who embark on this route are truly followers of the Jesus and his twelve Apostles.

RE Coursework, Spring 2001 Discipleship Part I

Michael Llewellyn, 4C

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