What can a study of St Mark's Gospel tell Christians about what it means to be a disciple?

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Leo Casimo 10D

Discipleship Coursework

Question 1

A disciple is a follower of Jesus Christ and his teachings. There are many passages throughout Mark’s Gospel that tell us how to be a god disciple, but they are not just listed, they are taught through accounts, stories and parables.

When the disciples were called by Jesus they responded with immediate willingness, for example when Jesus calls the first two disciples who were fishermen, Simon and Andrew: "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 2:14 Jesus tells Levi to "Follow me"; "Levi got up and followed him". When Jesus chose the twelve disciples in 'Jesus Chooses the Twelve Apostles', all twelve were willing and went ahead to preach the word of Jesus Christ. All Jesus’ disciples had to make sacrifices to become disciples, for example they had to leave their family behind in order to follow Jesus. So this means that Christians must be willing to follow Jesus and make substantial sacrifices.

Disciples should aim to do as Jesus did. Jesus gave his disciples authority over evil spirits and ordered them to take as little as possible, to leave all behind and go ahead to preach and heal (Mark 6:7-11). The two quotes: "The apostles returned and met with Jesus, and told him all they had done and taught" (Mark 6:30) and "They went out and preached that people should turn away from their sins. They drove out many demons, and rubbed olive oil on many sick people and healed them" (Mark 6:12-13) Show Christians that the disciples did what Jesus requested and did a good job.

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However, the understanding of Jesus and his teachings amongst the disciples wasn't always that good. They did not always understand either the amazing powers Jesus possessed or the wonders he could perform. Even though he "would explain everything to them", in situations such as The Calming of the Storm and when Jesus walked on water, they did not have enough faith. When the boat was filling with water in the Calming of the Storm (Mark 4:35-41), the disciples awoke Jesus to say "Teacher, don't you care that we are about to die?” Jesus said back to his disciples "Why are ...

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