A disciple is someone who is a pupil and follower. A Christian disciple is somebody who follows Jesus and his teachings. Jesus needed disciplined people to help him to spread his word.

 

 The first disciples that were called were two fishermen named Simon and his brother Andrew who were both by the side of the shore of Lake Galilee catching fish with a net. Jesus said to them,

‘ “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” ’ (Mk 1.17)

 Jesus meant that he would show his new found disciples how to attract people to their way of life and their beliefs.  

 

 Jesus walked on further down the shore and saw two other brothers, James and John. These men were in their boat getting the nets ready but as soon as Jesus called them they left their father, Zebedee and went with Jesus.

‘they left their father Zebedee in the boat the hired men and went with Jesus.’ (Mk 1.20)

 Jesus went back again to the shore of Lake Galilee. He was then surrounded by a crowd whom he started to teach. Jesus eventually came across Levi, who was a tax collector, sitting in his office. Jesus said to him,

‘ “Follow me.” ’ (Mk 2.14)

 Levi got up and followed him. This call was so unusual because tax collectors were hated by the jews and so why would they listen to Levi’s preaching. Jesus probably called Levi to make an example to people how Christianity forgives people for their sins and allows them a second chance. Levi must have wanted to change his life because he left immediately without any hesitation.

 

 When the Pharisees criticised Jesus for mixing with tax collectors he answered,

‘ “ I have not come to call respectable people, but outcasts.” ’  (Mk 2.17)

 When Jesus said this he meant that he does not just want to reach the rich and respectable, with his teachings, but everyone tax collectors alike.

 Then Jesus went up a hill and called out the men he wanted. The men came to him and from them he chose twelve whom he called apostles. He told them that they have been chosen to be with Jesus and that he will send them forward to preach.

‘ These are the twelve he chose: Simon (Jesus gave him the name Peter); James and his brother John, the sons of Zebedee (Jesus gave them the name Boanerges, which means “Men of Thunder”); Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus.’ (Mk 3.16-19)

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 Jesus used personal calls to get the disciples to become his followers. The men that Jesus called reacted immediately to their call, but it would be unlikely that they would leave everything to follow someone they knew nothing about. The lakeside in Galilee would have been familiar territory to Jesus so it is probable that these people already knew him as their reaction was immediate. They must have also greatly believed in what Jesus was saying.                                               ...

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