What can a study of St mark's Gospel tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

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What can a study of St mark’s Gospel tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship?

Before I can even begin this piece of coursework I need to establish the facts of discipleship. Discipleship means to learn and follow in God’s footsteps. It comes from the Latin word ‘ disciplus’ that means learner. In a Christians view Jesus Christ will always be the best role model of discipleship. We as Christians must follow his life style and show in our actions we are willing to care and share, just as Jesus did.

Saint Mark’s Gospel shows us the way to be a follower of Christ. There are ‘conditions’ of discipleship, the things we have to do to become true disciples. For many Christians today they find it difficult because they may have family responsibilities. Also society has changed and money is needed, some people can’t rely on charity alone, as people are more materialistic. They need there ‘home comforts’. They feel they can’t survive on the love of God alone.

In Mark’s Gospel we are told that Jesus said that a disciple is anyone who “does what God wants them to do”. This simply means that if we put the word of God into action we will be accepted into God’s family.

While some Christians think discipleship is ‘costly’, you need to bear in mind the reward of being a true disciple. Eternal life in Heaven. Heaven is priceless. You also get the reward of emotional, spiritual satisfaction and fulfilment from leading a good honest life. This is something you could never feel if you were a person ...

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The 12 disciples were ordinary people who Jesus asked to follow him; it may seem strange that Jesus did not pick any particular person. This is emphazing again that anyone can be a disciple. Jesus only chose four fishermen to be his most loyal companions who would be prepared to die, suffer, be rejected and go to prison. The 12 had to be prepared to suffer and die- they were to forget self, carry their cross and follow him. This had special significance to Marks original readers. Christians were experiencing persecution daily. Jesus encourages his disciples to practice self-denial. Some people in today’s society who make sacrifices are husbands and wives, parents and those with special vocations i.e. nuns, monks, priests e.t.c

Jesus called Levi to be a disciple. Levi was a tax collector who wasn’t liked by many Jews because he collected taxes for the Roman Government. Jesus called Levi to be a disciple by going into his office and saying to him “Follow me”. Levi got up leaving behind him a life of wealth, power and luxury. He knew it was his calling in life. He also knew the reward in Heaven would be far more powerful and fulfilling than having earthly goods. The 11 other disciples went through what Levi went through. They left all their treasured possessions. They all knew it was their destiny.

The mission of the 12 was to carry out what Jesus had taught them. Which was to drive out hunger (feeding of the five thousand, Mark 6 30:44), anoint the sick and “Preach the Gospel to all man kind” (The Commission 16:14-18). This isn’t what we have to do to become a disciple of God all we have to do is lead a pure, honest life and spread the word of God. If we do this we are fulfilling God’s wish, making us a true disciple.

In studying Mark’s Gospel we see how the first twelve literally and physically followed Jesus. A small minority of Christians do this e.g. nuns, monks…. These people are acting out of love for Jesus Christ. This is what we call ‘love in action’. Mother Theresa said she was “God’s love in action to the poorest of the poor”. For most of us we will follow in a modest way, living out the Christian life and being an example for others.

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