"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view.

"Children can't be disciples so they can't be Christians either" Do you agree or disagree? Give reasons for your answers showing that you have considered more than one point of view. From my perspective, I do not agree with this statement. Jesus preached to a variety of people and even his disciples consisted of those who sinned and were hated by the society. So why can't children be part of God's family? The Christian vocation is to spread the gospel to all and to seek to challenge people's belief and behaviour. "And they invite people of every era to enter into the joy of their communion with Christ" Catechism 425 There are many passages in Mark's gospel, which focuses on children. They are brought by their parents, blocked by the disciples, called and welcomed by Jesus. They are simply obedient and humble participants. Jesus said that of all the people involved, we should be like them. We should go where the Father wills, trusting in his love, blessing, and wisdom. Without this attitude it is impossible to receive the kingdom. "Let the little children come to me, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these" Mark 10:14 What is a disciple? A disciple is one who learns from another so even though children don't understand everything, they can be taught about the kingdom of God. By learning about discipleship at a young age, children will grow to have a closer

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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"Children cannot be disciples, so they cannot be Christians either."

Michele Dominique- 11A1 9/10/03 RS Coursework Discipleship AO3 "Children cannot be disciples, so they cannot be Christians either." All Christians, this means the young as well as the elderly, began their faith through baptism. This is the first stage of becoming a true Christian disciple. The next two are taking the Eucharist and finally the Confirmation of being entered into the Kingdom of God. As soon as a Child is baptised by the Priest, I believe s/he has become a disciple, not fully obviously but definitely on the way of completing the three stages of becoming one. Therefore I disagree with the original statement. When it is said that children cannot be disciples, they can however, be Christians. The statement is both false and confusing. Like I mentioned above, when a child has been baptised, the moment the Priest has anointed it, s/he has automatically started being a Christian. This means Faith has been given to the child, coming not only from the parents but the God-parents too. Children of this world are highly valued, they are our future, our hopes and our descendants. They're the ones who will carry our faith through generations. For this, we need to give them credit. We often think of them as minors, and hardly listen to what they say; this shows that we're the ones who don't show what's it's

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Examine the teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5. Discuss whether or not Matthew's gospel offers a new interpretation of Torah requirements.

Examine the teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5. Discuss whether or not Matthew's gospel offers a new interpretation of Torah requirements. Introduction In Chapter One of his book about the Sermon on the Mount (SM), J. Duncan M. Derrett begins; "The (SM) has two uncongenial characteristics, it avoids humour and prefers dogmatism to argument."1 This dour introduction may underline his view that the SM is an aesthetic teaching for discipleship, such as that which would be envisaged for a Greek athlete or a Roman soldier of the day.2 He also places Jesus' teaching in the SM in the category of Hasidic, those who put the Torah into effect in its spirit and not merely in its letter3. This Hasidic viewpoint serves as introduction both to the teaching on discipleship and Torah requirements. Teaching about discipleship in Matthew 5 From Matt 5:1 we learn that the teaching of the SM is directed towards the disciples. A disciple is the pupil of a teacher4 and as pupils adopted the outlook of their masters, the word signified an adherent of a particular philosophy or religion, which in this context would have been the emerging Christianity of Matthew's church. Discipleship would have described the behaviour and attitude of a member of this community that sought to follow Jesus' teaching. The Beatitudes in Matt 5:3-11 outline the marks of a disciple of Jesus. They have been

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Disciples in christianity.

AO1 A disciple is a person who accepts the teachings of another whom she or he regards as a leader. But there is more to being a good disciple than this. By studying the Marks Gospel a Christian can learn what being a disciple is all about. Authority constantly mentioned throughout Marks gospel is extremely important. Disciples are entrusted with the authority to drive out evil just like Jesus. "Jesus sends his disciples out with authority to drive out evil spirits. They are to take a staff- but should not take bread, money, a bag or an extra coat." Authority, which has the ability to overcome evil, teaches Christians reading Mark that good is able to overcome evil. It shows Christians that by becoming a disciple you will be able to drive out evil and save yourself from sin. "Where they are made welcome, they are to stay in that place until they leave town. Where they are not welcome they are to shake the dust from their feet as a marker to others." By reading this in Mark, a Christian would realise that to become a disciple you would need to practice and preach the word of the lord. This quote proves that a good disciple practices the teachings and spreads them as well. I have shown two examples of what being a good disciple is about. These guidelines are very costly. Who would want to leave their families too teach others how to live their lives. Or who would want o

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Define the meaning of discipleship.

Discipleship In this essay, I am to define the meaning of discipleship, for the first disciples and for Christians today. The word disciple means to learn, but there are many differences between disciples today, and disciples 2000 years ago, in the midst of a hostile Roman Empire. The very first disciples of the resurrection were the holy women, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome. If Christianity is defined as the belief that Jesus died, and was resurrected, and then to me, these women were the first Christians. Three scared women hunted by the Romans. This is a far cry from todayÆs Christians, all different colours, creeds, backgrounds and denominations, all over the world. At the start of JesusÆ vocation, he chose 12 disciples. This is very significant, because 12 is the Jewish number of perfection. These 12 were not, as one may expect, "model citizens", or even senior men of the church, (Pharisees and Sadducees). Among their number, were Matthew, who was Levi, a corrupt tax collector, Simon the Zealot, a murdering terrorist who had killed many Romans, James and John, sons of Zebedee, who were famously quick-tempered and impatient, and last but not least, Judas, the man who betrayed Jesus to the Romans. The choice of his disciples shows that the kingdom of God is open to everybody, not just "modern day saints" or the violently devout. It showed people of

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Explain how Christians might support those who are poor around the world?

AO2 Explain how Christians might support those who are poor around the world? There are a number of ways in which Christians can help poor people around the world today. To be a Christian compassion for everyone and everything is necessary, in this way everyone is compassionate towards eachother and therefore the people we care for in turn care for us. So the motivation behind Christians helping others is religion. If we love our neighbours then we would feel its our duty as Christians to help them out of poverty. It is our duty as Christians to do our very best to help them in times of disasters and famine. For example the work of organizations such as trocaire is a prime example of Christian compassion and their work in projects such as India, the people affected by the tsunami and helping to develop the third world. In total Trócaire is funding 669 projects in 63 countries around the world to a total value of €38.6 million. This is a big ask however of everyone so other methods in which Christians can help the poor around the world are charitable donations and prayer In the bible we are told to help others. In 1 Corinthians 12:26 it says "If one part suffers every part suffers with it" So by not helping the poor we are inflicting not only the poor but also ourselves. The main way people think that they can help the poor is by giving money. This however is the

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  • Level: GCSE
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Following Jesus today is harder than it used to be, but modern day disciples do exist. Christians try to see Jesus in other people and they follow Jesus' example and teachings.

A02 Following Jesus today is harder than it used to be, but modern day disciples do exist. Christians try to see Jesus in other people and they follow Jesus' example and teachings. An everyday Christian would try to see the good in everybody, try to forgive others when hurt or unhappy and apologise for things that they do wrong. Caring for the poor, putting others before themselves and trying not to be racist or prejudiced are all important qualities that an everyday Christian should live their lives by. In our everyday lives as children, adults, workers and families we can, of course, communicate with God; we can listen and respond to the call of Jesus even today. Through church, prayer, priests, and by fulfilling the sacraments we can be at one with God at any time. To get a call would be to have such a strong faith that you want to drop everything to follow it. Nowadays, to do as the first disciples did today, monasteries with monks, and convents with nuns allow people who wish to dedicate their lives to God to go and do so. Going into the priesthood is an option that allows you to be more of a disciple, to spread the word, to preach, to teach, to learn from others. It is a vocation. Vocation means to be called. In today's world there are two types of calling. The first type is a religious calling into priesthood or religious life. This involves giving up your life

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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R.E Coursework - A02

AO2. Explain how this teaching about being a disciple might make a difference in the everyday lives of Christian believers today. Even though the gospel was written over 2000 years ago it is still relevant for Christians today. It is the source of moral and spiritual guidance. It can help people through hard times and give them strength when they are feeling weak. It is a place to look when you are afraid, helpless, sinful, strong, tempted and when you are feeling you have nothing to give. 'Jesus calms a storm' is where you can look when you are scared. "Why are you frightened? Have you still no faith?" (4:40). This makes us feel that as long as we have faith we do not need to be afraid which makes us a lot happier. The Disciples were very committed and gave up all they had to follow Jesus. There are people today who leave everything they have to go where they are needed. Priests and Nuns take vows of poverty, celibacy and obedience and work in the service of others. Martin Luther King was an American Baptist who was a very dedicated man and who was determined to get equality between blacks and whites. Blacks earned half as much as white people, many were not allowed to vote and they were not allowed into certain public places that were reserved for whites only. Although he got many death threats he continued to organise campaigns, boycotts, marches and other forms of

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  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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Coursework part 1: Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship

Coursework part 1: Explain what a study of Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship. You must use the text of mark to support and illustrate your answer. The nature of Discipleship in Mark's Gospel. In this essay, I am going to investigate the key ideas about discipleship from studying Mark's gospel. I shall use these texts to illustrate points of discipleship and explain a fuller meaning to them. Firstly, near the beginning of the Gospel, Mark shows how God will use his disciples and what their main role is: that God will use them as missionaries to call people to Christ. This is one of the main Christian vocations of preaching What I mean by all this is that God works through his disciples on earth and inspires them to lead others to Christ through missionary work, preaching, healing and many other Christian works and vocations. In all these vocations, the inspiration for the work they do will come from God- if it doesn't, it cannot work. My evidence for this teaching is in mark 1:17 where Jesus says ' I will teach you to catch people.' Another point is the immediacy and total commitment of discipleship. In mark, the disciples left immediately and followed Jesus on his mission. This show that anyone who wants to become a true disciple must make a 100% sacrifice of themselves and have a full commitment to Christ, prioritising him above

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  • Level: GCSE
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Explain how this teaching on discipleship could affect the life of a Christian today?

Explain how this teaching on discipleship could affect the life of a Christian today? The teaching of Jesus will affect lives today if we are open to his word in scripture. If we open to what God is saying to us through prayer, and if we allow ourselves to be influenced by the good example of others. So many of the teachings of Jesus do affect our lives today. I am now going to talk about some examples in Mark 8:34 'Anyone who wants to come after me must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me'. Disciples or discipleship comes at a cost, they must deny themselves and say no to themselves, must be prepared to put others before themselves. Must be able to make the hard decisions in life between right and wrong like following the crowd or doing what Christ's asks. Jesus also says here we are called to take up our cross. The true disciple is also here to take there cross; this involves making sacrifices in our lives. There are many sacrifices in family lives for example, parent(s) who endlessly care a sick child, or goes without luxuries in our there lives to provide and care for there children. Giving their time and patience towards elderly relations is also making a sacrifice for the person. The life of a true disciple will be marked by self-denial, generosity, and endless charity. On another occasion Jesus said, whoever wants to be great must be

  • Word count: 532
  • Level: GCSE
  • Subject: Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)
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