'Explain The Meaning Of Discipleship For The First Disciples And Christians Today'.

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‘Explain The Meaning Of Discipleship For The

First Disciples And Christians Today’

        Discipleship is an important part of Mark’s Gospel and is also considered an essential part of every day life for most Christians today. The word disciple comes from a Latin word, meaning learner or follower; a disciple is someone who is a pupil of a teacher. This word is used throughout Mark’s Gospel because it is the word Jesus uses when referring to his followers. Discipleship helps us in the understanding of faithfulness and how people in Jesus’ day gave up their lives to follow him. It sets us a prime example of how we should live our lives today.  

        Jesus had many followers and generally attracted a large crowd wherever he went. However, Jesus wanted to choose a smaller group of people who would be close to him, and help him to preach the Good News about the Kingdom of God. In the first chapter of Mark’s gospel, he concentrates on the calling of the four fishermen because it is significant:

Mark Chapter 1 vs. 16-18

‘As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” At once they left their nets and went with him.’

This small extract shows us how devoted the first disciples already were towards Jesus because they immediately left their things and followed him without question or hesitation. Further on in the parable, Jesus calls another two men, James and his brother John who also react in the same way, they both leave their boats and go with Jesus.

For the first disciples, it would have been like giving up their old lives, having to leave their families and belongings behind, to start a new life together with Jesus. To me it seemed a very difficult decision, which I myself would have taken a lot of thought over. The future was unforeseen and not clear, so it was a large risk to take, although they readily responded. This gives us the impression that they had great faith in Jesus and were very courageous men – instantly we see true discipleship from their part.    

        Though, it was seen to be particularly unusual for Jesus to call people to be his followers, as disciples normally approached a teacher or rabbi for leadership themselves, not the other way around. Due to this, people may wonder whether Jesus wanted certain people to be his disciples and this is why he approached them, so he could pick whom he wanted, but to think this you would be wrong. Jesus did not choose the richest nor the cleverest man, he simply chose ordinary, everyday people. Jesus looked on the inside of people, rather than their exterior, which is how most people are looked upon nowadays. He was a very non -judgemental person and we see this in who he chooses.

Simon - to whom Jesus gave the name Peter (meaning the rock)

Andrew - brother of Simon

James  -  sons of Zebedee, they were brothers to who Jesus

John        gave the name the Boanerges, meaning ‘Sons of                                                  

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               Thunder.’

Matthew – also known as Levi. He was a tax collector.

Simon the Patriot – he was a zealot.

Judas – the only disciple to betray Jesus, in the garden of                                                        

             Gethsemane            

Phillip

Thomas

James – son of Alphaeus

Thaddaeus

Bartholomew

        Simon, who is ...

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