In this piece of coursework I will be exploring discipleship according to Mark's Gospel. In the first section I will explore how the disciples were called and challenged according to Jesus as well as the disciples jobs/duties.

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BY: KAYLEE JUKES 10F

Discipleship-Mark’s Gospel

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In this piece of coursework I will be exploring discipleship according to Mark’s Gospel.  In the first section I will explore how the disciples were called and challenged according to Jesus as well as the disciples jobs/duties.

Discipleship revolves about following Jesus both physically and spiritually.  A disciple is a person who learns and believes in a leader and helps to spread the teachings of another.  A disciple of Jesus would be expected to respond immediately to what Jesus says, love there neighbour, willing to forgive sins, be generous, accept persecution and live there life’s using gospel values in everything that they say and do.

The first disciples of Jesus were expected to respond immediately to what Jesus says, love their neighbour, be willing to forgive sins, be generous, accept persecution and live their lives using gospel values in everything that they do and say.

The first disciples of Jesus called upon were fisherman.  ‘As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fisherman, 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. ’  (1:16-18)

Peter responded by leaving everything he owned and followed, this meant he left behind his family and steady income (fisherman).  He may have done this because Jesus had special charismatic qualities.  

Peters’ first challenge was when he said, “We’ve left everything to follow you…”

He had misunderstood what being a disciple was all about.  He still thought discipleship was about rewards.  Jesus replied “ I tell you the truth, no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age and in the age to come, eternal life, Peters’ second challenge was when Jesus spoke about his suffering and death, “Forget self, carry cross, and follow me.”  In other words this meant put others first, suffer and do as Jesus did.  When Jesus told this to his disciples that it is his role as Messiah to die, Peter was horrified, he thought a Messiah should be like a King and not a servant.  Peters’ challenge was to understand what discipleship was really about.

Peters’ third challenge was when he denied Jesus, this was the hardest of all, “ Today – yes, tonight – before the Cock crows twice you yourself will disown me three times. ”  (14:30-31)

But Peter insisted, “Even if I had to die with you, I will never disown you.”  These were brave words that Peter said, little did he know that in a few hours his life would be in danger, and that he would truly deny that he even knew Jesus himself. As a disciple you have to be ready to follow on the road, drink form the cup of suffering, however peter was not ready to follow on the road.  He denied Jesus because he was scared.  Peter failed the greatest test of discipleship, and he failed a close friend. However though Peter denied Jesus, Jesus forgave him and he appointed him become the first pope.  The message in this challenge was that everyone makes mistakes but we all learn from them, disciples do not have to be perfect.

The next two disciples were brothers James and John.  ‘He went a little further, he saw two brothers, James and John the Son of Zebedee.  They were in their boats getting their nets ready.  When Jesus saw them he called them “ Come with me and I will teach you to catch people. ”  (1:19-20).

They left everything they owned behind and followed immediately.  This was hard because they were from a wealthy home.  However, James and John assumed that being a disciple was about being powerful. Both James and John asked Jesus something, “ When you sit on your throne in your glorious kingdom, we want you to let us sit with you, one at your right and one at your left.”  Jesus replied, “ You don’t know what you are asking for.  Can you drink the cup of suffering that I must drink? Can you be baptized in the way I must be baptized?”   They both said they could accept suffering. Jesus said to them “ You will indeed drink the cup I must drink and be baptized in the way I must be baptized. But I do not have the right to choose who will sit at my right and left, it is God who will give these places to those for whom he has prepared them.”  

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Jesus said, “ If one among you wants to be great, he must be the servant of the rest, and if one of you wants to be first, he must be the slave of all.  Therefore, discipleship is about serving others and preparing to die. This is what makes one great. (10:35-45)

Levi (Matthew) was called Son of Alphaeus, Jesus called him saying “Follow me,” he responded by doing so, Levi’s challenge was to leave a lot of money behind as he was a tax collector, he was rich; his status in society was an outcast, he had to fit ...

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