Explain what a study of Mark's gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship.

When Jesus sent out the twelve, he told them not to bring any extra food money or clothes (6:8-9). Disciples should be prepared to give up everything to follow Jesus. This could be possessions or friends and family. Disciples should put the needs of others before their own. This is what Jesus' apostles had to do. The story of the rich young man shows the cost of discipleship (10:17-31).

Disciples have to have many qualities. These include:

* Courage - You have to have courage to pursue good and be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel. The disciples failed Jesus and ran away but they regained their courage at Pentecost and eventually they died for their beliefs.

* Forgiving - You must be forgiving to forgive sins. Jesus was always forgiving and his apostles followed this good example.

* Obedience - To listen to the will of God. The apostles had to do this to know how to be a good disciple and disciples and Christians still do this today to follow God's holy will.

* Strength - To face difficult tasks. When Jesus sent out the 12, he gave them specific rules they had to follow which would make their journey harder by only bringing necessary items and no extra luxuries.

* Wisdom - To make wise decisions. Disciples had to make the best decisions they could to please God and to follow his will in the best way they could.

* Faith - To believe in what they are doing. The story of the epileptic boy (9:1-32) explains how important faith is and the disciples especially learnt from this occurrence.

Although disciples may have to suffer they will also be rewarded. They will receive eternal life. Jesus told the disciples that they will be rewarded one hundred times in this life and eternally in the next (10:28-31). Mark especially wrote about rewards for discipleship so the people at that time who were being persecuted would realise that although the apostles made mistakes, they were still promised eternal life and that gave them hope.

All in all, I think that a study of Marks Gospel can show Christians that although discipleship may seem very hard, there is always a great reward to look forward to - eternal life. Being a disciple not only gives you the reward of eternal life, but also strengthens this life by faith. Marks gospel shows a lot about being a disciple and many Christians have found this inspiring and gone on to do great things.