What does Discipleship mean to Christians today?

In modern day society, it is possible for anybody to become a disciple if they wish to be no matter of your occupation or social position. Whether you are a missionary who travels the world to promote the Good News, a Vicar or a Nun who work hard to take care of the local community or simply an average, caring citizen who does everything he/she can to look after those around them, you can become a disciple. To Christians today, there are no characteristics that disciples have to conform to as disciples are needed all over the world in every occupation and every area to ensure Gods Message is heard. In the calling of the first disciples in Mark 1:14-18 Jesus demonstrates the unimportance of occupation and social position by calling fishermen to be his first disciples - this story can give strength to modern day Christians as so much nowadays is based on social position and your annual income. It shows that no matter who you are, you can become a disciple.

In the 21st century social position and the size of your salary is becoming increasingly important and being rich is an ambition of many. However, to Christians today being a disciple means putting God and Jesus before your income and although you are not expected to go to the extremes that the Rich Man was expected to do in Mark 10:17-31 by giving up all his material possessions, because nowadays it is impossible to survive without anything at all, you are still expected to have only what is necessary and put God before you money and lifestyle.

To Christians today, discipleship involves costs as it did 2000 years ago. Although these costs are often applied differently to suit a modern lifestyle they still hold the same meaning and significance. To apply the teachings about the Cost Of Discipleship in Mark 8:31-38, Christians must look deeply into what Jesus is telling his disciples. To 'deny self' means to put others before yourself like your family and friends and put their needs before your own. To 'take up your cross' means that being a disciple will inevitably involve persecution for example if a teenager becomes a disciple they may get bullied for their decision in school and being a true modern disciple means accepting this persecution. 'Follow me' means following Christ's footsteps; some people feel the call to become nuns or vicars and give up everything to God and some even become martyrs but the average person can follow Christ's footsteps by treating all who they meet in the same manner as Jesus did and in spreading the Good News.