They were sent out in twos, this shows that discipleship is dangerous and not to be taken for granted. They were given staffs to keep safe with, again outlining the danger of discipleship. The disciples were told by Jesus to wear sandals, normally they would have gone bare footed but they were to protect their feet from the long, rough roads. This shows that discipleship is a long and bumpy journey, with ups and downs.
They were not to waste their time on the people who would not listen and therefore should move on somewhere else, this is because discipleship includes an immediate response and there should be no excuses. The disciples had to show faith that all their needs would be provided for. This shows that discipleship means showing faith.
Next the disciples were sent out on the commission. Jesus sent out his disciples throughout the whole world preaching the word of God to everyone. This shows that discipleship means travelling and accepting orders. The disciples are assured that they will be able to perform miracles and speak strange tongues, this is important as it shows discipleship is for everyone.
Next, we learn about the cost and rewards of discipleship. The job of a disciple was very difficult and very demanding so therefore came at a great cost.
Disciples would give up their jobs and families just to be with Jesus. This shows another meaning of discipleship, to put God first. As a result, all the things they had given up, the disciples would receive one hundred times more in heaven, as a reward.
One of Jesus’ phrases was to “carry cross”; this could mean either to death or just to put up with things that you may not be satisfied with. This shows that discipleship means to death or to the end. The disciples were to put up with all of the things they were not happy with and therefore would be rewarded in heaven.
Another of Jesus’ phrases was “follow me”; Jesus meant for the disciples to follow him right to the end no matter what costs. This could also have meant for the disciples to stick by Jesus when he was being trialled and tortured. Jesus was teaching his disciples that the meaning of discipleship was to be loyal.
Discipleship is a very difficult thing and some disciples were not happy by it, for example Peter was not happy and confronted Jesus and said he had given up everything follow him (Mark 10 vv 28-31). This story teaches that Discipleship is not easy but will be worthwhile at the end.
Part 2
Describe and explain how Christians today can put this teaching into practice. (14 marks)
Christians still attempt to follow what Jesus taught In the Bible. They have a call, a task, and the cost.
An important part of discipleship is the call; many Christians today have a call. Some receive an actual voice from God informing them on how to lead their lives. But most receive a feeling or more of an instinct which can be described as a call. Anyone can be called, anyone from famous people to ordinary people, this shows that discipleship is for everyone. An example of a famous person is Mother Teresa.
Missionaries, Priests and Vicars all claim to have been called at one point. A call needs an immediate response there must be no excuses.
Modern Christians follow Jesus physically and spiritually. Christians today follow Jesus physically by going to church and giving to charity. They follow him spiritually by following his teachings and setting a good example. They are willing to learn. They should put others first, a good example of this is marriage because you start to put your partner and children before you.
Just like how the first disciples had the mission and commission Christians today have a task.
They spread the word of God as far and as wide as possible. This can be achieved by printing Bibles in different languages or by preaching in different languages, similar to how the first disciples spoke in strange tongues.
The first disciples drove out demons, today Christians help heal the sick, and an example of this is the Samaritans. They educate the young on Jesus and his teachings either through Sunday Schools or Church Schools.
Some people, like missionaries, feel their task is more vocal and try to spread the word of God all over the world. Jesus taught us to put God before possessions and nowadays people like missionaries like to carry as little as possible.
The cost is the hardest part of discipleship, but will be worthwhile in the end.
Missionaries give up their families and homes in order to go and preach the message. Charity workers give up their time and effort in order to do well and follow Jesus’ teachings. Most Christians give up their Sunday mornings to visit church and maybe a few pounds to the collection or charity box.
Even today, in the 21st Century, Christians in foreign countries die for their belief. Christians today get called for their beliefs or for going to church or a church school. A part of Christian belief is Lent and Christians give up items.
Although the cost is extremely difficultly it is more than repaid for by its rewards Missionaries and Vicars can sleep at night with the relief and satisfaction of knowing they have done good. Even when ordinary Christians donate a little money to charity a sense of self pride is achieved which can match up to any amount of money achieved by working. After a Christians life on Earth is over their rewards continue in heaven.
Part 3
“Every Christian should be ready to die for their faith” Do you agree or Disagree.
I believe Christians should be ready to die for their faith because Jesus died for Christians and Christians should follow in his footsteps and die for their faith too.
Jesus warned his first disciples that they may have to die for their faith in Mark 8vv34 - 9vv1 and many did go on to do so like Peter, James and Paul for example. Jesus tells his disciples to take up their cross and follow him. This means to spiritually pick up a cross as if all ready knowing the consequences of their belief.
In foreign countries like Pakistan or Sudan Christians are murdered and persecuted, people in more civilized areas of the world should use this as a role model and be prepared.
Christians believe in the resurrection and feel they will encounter one also. If this is the case then if a Christian dies for their faith it is not the end and will be worthwhile and if all of the Christians decided against dieing for their faith then this shows that Christianity doesn’t mean much and there will no longer be any faith.
They live their lives for their faith by going to church and giving to charities and surely if all of this is worth living for it must be worth dieing for.
Christians should not be ready to die for their faith because religious wars and battles over time and that still go on today see innocent people killed. All of the bloodshed and anger that is caused is not part of Christian belief and surely was not taught by Jesus. Jesus meant for a Christian to die spiritually not physically. He wanted them to give up all their old ways of living and make way for a new way.
The followers of Islam have been taught to not fear death. If they are not showing respect for life and death this is a bad thing and we don’t want Christians to be in the same situation. Dieing for ones faith produces nothing but trouble and needless deaths. This point is proven when we look at the situation in Northern Ireland when people are killing for their belief, and murdering is not in the bible. All the killing and crime produced only creates a feeling that religion is bad and should not be bothered with.
Jesus is not saying you have to die but just to be prepared. Jesus taught us to live in peace and to spread the word. The word cannot be spread if you’re dead. Jesus died for the future of Christianity. Why should Christians die for the same reason?
In conclusion to this I feel Christians should NOT be prepared to die for their faith. I feel it achieves nothing but anger and heartache and leads to more needless deaths. Christians should follow their religion in other ways like going to church and spreading the word and should not be ready or preparing to die for what they feel is right.
