Explain what a study of St.Mark’s Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship.
RE Coursework - Part 1 Discipleship Question - Explain what a study of St. Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of discipleship. The word 'disciple' means 'follower', or 'learner'. When Jesus first begins to preach, he chooses 12 disciples to follow him. His disciples were different, though, because they were so ordinary. They didn't have to be 'special' in any way. They were fishermen mainly, and other everyday people. Jesus even chose a tax collector, to prove that anyone could enter the Kingdom of God if they believed. The number 12 was significant. In the Old Testament, 12 tribes of Israel were chosen. 12 leaders were then chosen to rule the Jewish people and the covenant with God. Jesus was coming to establish a new covenant. The 12 disciples might have represented a new kingdom. The job of the disciples was to help Jesus to spread God's word. He chose ordinary people, not wealthy ones like the Pharisees, and outcasts, like tax collectors (Levi). This was to show that the kingdom of God was for everyone, not just 'special' people. Later, he chose apostles (meaning messenger - the disciples had learnt more by this time). They are give three instructions: 'to preach, drive out demons and be with me' (3:13-19). As they, learn more, the disciples are given more instructions. They are eventually entrusted with the task of spreading God's word, and taking
Discipleship is
Discipleship is usually thought of as following Jesus, being a preacher, teacher. Somebody who believes in something, or who believes in someone, and leaves everything behind them to try to make others believe the same is my personal definition of a disciple. In actual fact, the Old Testament word 'Talmid' is a 'learner', and more obviously in the New Testament, a 'Disciples' is a 'follower'. The other crucial area of discipleship is serving others. When a disciple is healing a person, he is serving them, as he serving Jesus and God. So discipleship can be summed up; to follow, to learn, to preach, to believe, to serve. All factors are crucial to be a true disciple. But to be a disciple, you must be a Christian, 'one who belongs with Christ', 'Christ's one'. The disciples share Jesus' faith, and his freedom to rise above all immediate concerns. The disciples of Jesus received their 'call' from Jesus, and they responded with immediate willingness. Jesus called, and the disciples went to him. "Jesus said to them, come with me, and I will teach you to catch people. At once they left their nets and went with him". (Mark 1:17-18) In Mark Chapter Two, verse fourteen, Jesus tells Levi to "Follow me"; "Levi got up and followed him". The response to Jesus' calling is clearly that of a wanting to follow, to be with Jesus. When Jesus chose the twelve disciples in 'Jesus Chooses the
Year 12 RE Coursework
Year 12 RE Coursework AO1 Explain the meaning of discipleship for the first disciples In the dictionary a disciple is defined as: 'Someone who believes and helps to spread the doctrine of another; one who receives instruction from another; a scholar; a learner; especially one who has learned to believe in the doctrine of the teacher.' This is still an accurate description for Jesus' first disciples; they did all these things and more under considerable hardship. For his first disciples Jesus chose a variety of people, there were ordinary people from simple backgrounds, fishermen, a tax collector, a zealot and others. He chose twelve to represent the twelve tribes of Israel, which formed the centre of Judaism. The group of people he chose would not normally have got along, nor would they have been expected to. There were barriers built between them, tax collectors worked for the Romans and were scorned by other Jews, but zealots had an even more intense hatred for Romans and actively opposed their rule. Nonetheless these barriers were overcome between the disciple's, which was a microcosm of what they were setting out to teach the rest of the world, 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you' ~(Matt. 5:44) We know that the first disciples reacted immediately to their calling from the passage 'The Call of the First Disciples', 'Jesus said to Simon and
Explain what a study of Saint Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship
Explain what a study of Saint Mark's Gospel can tell Christians about the nature of Discipleship The word disciple is derived from the Latin "discipulusi" meaning pupil or learner. In Mark's gospel we hear of the disciples of the Pharisees and the followers of John the Baptist being known as disciples. Although Jesus is not 'officially' recognised as a teacher he was popularly known as a teacher (11:21) and his associates were known as disciples. The word could be used to describe all those who responded to his message but it generally applies to a select 12 named in 3:16-19, who were all called personally by Jesus. 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 members of the church. To be a disciple then meant an exclusive loyalty to Jesus and readiness to put Jesus first whatever the cost. He chose the disciples in order to train them to share in his work of preaching and healing, and to eventually carry on his mission after he had departed. In a sense he was to live on in them. Such an attitude goes well beyond the normal pupil-teacher relationship, giving the word disciple a whole new meaning. The first five disciples to be called all left and followed Jesus immediately. They gave up everything: family, jobs and security. The first two to be called were Simon and his brother
I think the teaching of discipleship affects the life of Christians today in many ways.
Lydia Carroll R.E. Question 2 I think the teaching of discipleship affects the life of Christians today in many ways. The modern world, is a difficult place to be a disciple. There are so many distractions in the world today, that people find it difficult to devote much of their time to religion. Wealth is an important part of today's society. The wealth that we gain from jobs etc, is necessary to support not only ourselves; but also our families. From a modern-day parent's point of view, it is simply essential. Not only do children nowadays have to be clothed, fed and watered, but they must also keep up with the latest trends. Be it expensive designer clothes, or mobile phones; most children of today's generation, consider these luxury items as 'necessities.' But the message, as it was in Jesus' time, is to take what you need and give the rest to the needy, not to be greedy and take more than you should. Therefore, in the Catholic Church in particular, saving your money for your future investment and lifestyle would be seen as wrong. This is similar to the story of the rich young man, (Mark 10: 17-25) who says to Jesus, that ever since he was a young boy, he has obeyed all of Jesus' examples and commandments. He asks him, therefore, how can he get into heaven, to which Jesus replies, "Go and sell all you have and give the money to the poor, and you
Images of Discipleship in Today's Society
In today's society we can see many images of discipleship. In our work place, schools and communities. Today we can see people acting out the qualities I have discussed in my previous piece of work. It is people of all religions or no religion that can act out the qualities of discipleship. Discipleship doesn't automatically mean taking a vow of poverty or going on a pilgrimage. We can be worthy of the title of a disciple of Jesus and the church in the way we live. It is the small things that discipleship is all about. In my essay I will be talking about different areas of living in today's society and being disciples of the church. Discipleship is not just in Mark's gospel but also in "our" lives. In my essay I will be talking about the areas that are involved in today's discipleship teaching. The people of today may find it difficult to show all the qualities of a disciple, such as giving up all they have because they may have family responsibilities and it would be negligent to leave them or take things away from them. Also society has changed and money is needed, some people cannot rely on charity alone as people are more materialistic and so unwilling to part with everything, they may not have enough faith though they still wish to go out and preach or heal. Yet we see from people such as nuns, monks, and priests that there are many people who give up all they have as
It is debated whether it is possible for Christians today to be true disciples.
A03 It is debated whether it is possible for Christians today to be true disciples. In order to investigate this, I must investigate the meaning of discipleship, and what it means for us in the modern world. If discipleship demanded perfection, it would be practically impossible, as nobody is perfect, and as humans, it is in our nature to make mistakes. As humans, I think that our will is too weak to resist temptation, and it is therefore impossible to be a complete saint. Keeping this in mind, some would ask whether it is possible to be a true disciple. However, I think that we must remember that the twelve disciples were not perfect. There were many occasions when the apostles failed to recognise Jesus' identity and denied him; when Peter denied knowing him, and when Judas betrayed him. But in order to be a disciple, we must try our best and never give up hope in God. It is argued whether in this modern world we can be a true disciple, but I believe it is still possible if one is fully committed to their faith, and is willing to sacrifice their time for God. I would consider a true disciple to be committed, dedicated, willing to help others and wanting to share in Jesus' faith and expectations. Just like the first disciples, we received a call to live out our discipleship; this occurs at baptism. Having been baptised, Christians are expected to act as the disciples
marraige and divorce part 1
Religion part A Today, Marriage in the Catholic society is based on ideals, which are very vital as they are to be thought about before getting married. Some couples want their relationship to speak of families as the two couples show love to each other and making their married life indiscernible, marriage is also a long lasting endurance of love. Roman Catholics believe that marriage is based on the 5 main key ideals of Sacrament, Permanent, Exclusivity, Life-giving and Based on love. In this essay I will give full expanded information about these 5 ideals and Biblical teachings on these. Marriage is a sacramental event that is shared between the two couples, as God spiritually bonds the two together, which steps up to the religious face of marriage. 'Didn't God make you one body and spirit with her? What was the purpose in this? It was that you should have children who are truly God's people. So make sure that none of your breaks his promise to his wife'. Quoted from Malachi 2:15 explains to you that there should be no one else except you and your wife, supporting each other .Genesis, 2:24; states 'That is why a man leaves his father and mother and is united with his wife, and they become one', has a lot of similarities from Malachi, they both tend to say that once you unite with your partner, you shall become one and live for each other till the end. So aside of being
What does Marks Gospel tells Christians about discipleship.
Nikki Symeon 11A2 Discipleship Coursework In this essay I will be looking see what Mark's Gospel tells Christians about discipleship. I will discuss what discipleship meant at the time of Jesus and what it means today. The word disciple means somebody who strongly believes in the teachings of a leader or a religion, and tries to act according to them. Throughout Mark's gospel there are a lot of stories about discipleship, the first one being in Mark 1: 16-20. This is when Jesus calls the first of his disciples, telling them to follow him and that he will make them fishers of men. It then says that the men '...at once left their nets and followed him.' This shows how the disciples wanted to learn from and follow Jesus. The term 'fishers of men' means that Jesus wanted the disciples to spread his word and tell others about his message so that they to could become followers. The fact that Jesus chose twelve disciples may have been symbolic. He may have chose twelve to represent the twelve tribes of Israel. Jesus called people of all different kinds to be his disciples. He first chose ordinary men who were uneducated (fishermen). This could have been to show that Jesus accepted everyone into his community and that he didn't favour the rich and educated. Jesus also called the tax collector Levi to follow him which caused a lot of controversy, and didn't make Jesus particularly
The disciples were ordinary people who Jesus ask to follow him it is strange that Jesus did not pick any particular person, he just chose four fishermen to be his most loyal companions who would be prepared to die, suffer, be rejected, and go to prison.
The disciples were ordinary people who Jesus ask to follow him it is strange that Jesus did not pick any particular person, he just chose four fishermen to be his most loyal companions who would be prepared to die, suffer, be rejected, and go to prison. The following story (1:16-20) tells us how Jesus called his first disciples. As Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee, he saw two fishermen, Simon and his brother Andrew, catching fish in a net. Jesus said to them, ''Come with me and I will teach you to catch people'' at once they left their nets and followed him. He went a farther on and saw two brothers James and John, the sons of Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and went with Jesus. In chapter 2 verses 13-20 Jesus chose a tax collector Levi (who was considered as a sinner) to be one of his disciples and had dinner at his house when some Pharisee's saw this they asked the disciples ''why dose he eat with these outcasts?'' Jesus heard this and answered ''people who are well do not need a doctor. But only those who are sick. I have not come for respectable people but outcasts.'' There are seven more disciples other than Levi, Simon, Andrew, James and John their names are: Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot. Jesus expected all these men to have certain qualities like putting their self last in all things, being prepared to