I am going to write about some of the qualities needed to be a disciple, and explain what Christians today can learn about discipleship from the synoptic gospels. Firstly, throughout the synoptic gospels, Christians can see that the quality of faith is essential for being a disciple. For example, in Matthew 14:22-32, Jesus told Peter to walk towards him on the water. But when the wind started to blow, Peter became afraid and began to sink, because he had not had faith in Jesus. This can teach Christians today that disciples need to keep their lives and faith focused on Jesus, or they will ‘sink’.
To be a disciple, you need to be determined. This is shown in Luke 5:17-26, in ‘the healing of the paralysed man.’ The man’s friends lowered the paralysed man through the roof and down to Jesus to be cured. Christians today can learn from this that determination is very important in discipleship.
Another important quality of discipleship is sacrifice, for example, ‘Jesus calls four fisherman’ in Mark 1:14-20. Simon, Andrew, James and John all left their nets and fishing boats to follow Jesus. This shows Christians today that true disciples will leave their lives to follow Jesus.
To be a disciple a person also needs to have the quality of courage. This is shown in Mark 2:23-28, ‘Picking corn on the Sabbath.’ In this story, the disciples were picking corn on the Sabbath with Jesus, which was against the Pharisees’ law. They knew that they could be arrested but they still had the courage to follow Jesus’ example, whatever may happen to them for doing so.
Some events in the synoptic gospels show us that anyone can be a disciple, for example ’Jesus calls Levi’. Levi was a tax collector, regarded as a sinner, but Jesus still ate and drank with him and other sinners. This story shows Christians today that Jesus will help anyone who needs help and has the qualities of discipleship, not just respectable people.
A final quality required to be a disciple is the ability to use our talents wisely, as shown in ‘The three servants’, Matthew 25:14’30. There were three men: one was given 5 talents, one 2 talents, and one 1 talent. The ones with 5 and 2 talents used them to gain more talents, but the one with 1 talent was afraid and hid it in the ground. This shows Christians today that as disciples, they are responsible for using their talents to serve God and other people.
I summarise that many qualities are needed to be a disciple, and many of them are demonstrated in the synoptic gospels. As long as they have these, anyone can be a disciple, even sinners. Some of the qualities needed to be a disciple are: faith in Jesus, sacrifice for Jesus, determination not to give up, and courage to spread Jesus’ word. It is also important to use your talents and skills to help others, and serve God.