What do we mean when we talk about discipleship?

GCSE Religious Studies (Philosophy & Ethics)

Discipleship

What do we mean when we talk about discipleship? The word ‘disciple’ actually means ‘follower’ of someone or something, and is often the word used to describe Jesus’ 12 main followers from the Gospels. But it can also be used more generally to mean any Christian. Jesus chose the twelve men who were to be his followers and helpers. They were ordinary people that had to be able to trust and do everything Jesus told them. In Marks gospel (8:34-38) it says, ‘Then Jesus called the crowds and his disciples to him. “If anyone wants to come with me,” he told them, “he must forget self, carry his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his own life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

By saying this Jesus told them that they had to stop being selfish and that they may have to accept death. Jesus chose 12 disciples.

Jesus chose four fishermen to be his most loyal companions, Simon, Andrew, James and John. In the story the ‘Call of the Disciples’ (1:16-20) it says, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” In chapter 2 verses 13-20 Jesus chose a tax collector Levi (who was considered 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 does 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.'' Jesus’ seven other disciples were: Philip, Bartholomew, Thomas, James, Thaddaeus, Simon and Judas Iscariot.

In the ‘Mission of the 12’ (6:7-13) it says, ‘ Jesus sends his disciples out with authority over evil spirits. They are to take a staff – but should not take bread, money, a bag, or an extra coat. Where they are made welcome, they are to stay in that place until they leave town. Where they are not made welcome, they are to shake the dust from their feet as a marker to others.’ By this Jesus meant that in places they are welcomed they should stay, and in places where they are not wanted, they should just leave and rid themselves of that whole community, by wiping away the dust left on there feet. After the 12 were chosen they were given a lot of duties, and they were told that if these duties were carried out correctly, they would be rewarded.

Jesus’ followers were told to:

Love Children (9:37) “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one that sent me.”

Be faithful in marriage (10:11-12) Jesus taught that anyone who divorces and remarries is committing adultery.

Be for Jesus (9:40): “Anyone who is not against Jesus is for Jesus.”

Be servant of all (10:43) “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Take up their cross (8:34) “If anyone would come after me … he must deny self and take up his cross and ...

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Jesus’ followers were told to:

Love Children (9:37) “Whoever welcomes one of these little children in my name welcomes me; and whoever welcomes me does not welcome me but the one that sent me.”

Be faithful in marriage (10:11-12) Jesus taught that anyone who divorces and remarries is committing adultery.

Be for Jesus (9:40): “Anyone who is not against Jesus is for Jesus.”

Be servant of all (10:43) “Whoever wants to be first must be slave of all.”

Take up their cross (8:34) “If anyone would come after me … he must deny self and take up his cross and follow me.”

Be willing to make sacrifices (The widow at the treasury) (12:41-44) While many rich people make large offerings at the treasury, a widow gives only two small coins. Jesus explains that her offering is better, as it is all she had to live on.

Preach the Gospel (The Commission) (16:14-18) After his resurrection, Jesus gave his disciples their mission … He urges them to preach the Gospel, saying whoever believes will be saved, but whoever does not will be condemned. And in Jesus’ name they will “drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they get well”.

If all of these duties were completed correctly, the disciples were told in the Gospel, that they would be rewarded:

True Family (3:31-35) “Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.”

Rewards of discipleship (10:28-31) Whatever you give up now, you’ll get a hundred times as much, both now and in the future. For example, you may face persecution now, but there is eternal life in the end.

Christians are modern day disciples and we should try to learn from the examples that the first twelve showed us. One of the most important teachings of Christ is the passage of the Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:34-35). This means that anyone who wants to be a disciple must be prepared to put God and his commandments first, and as a result be prepared to suffer for their beliefs. Christians must still follow the duties that Jesus told his 12 in the Gospel and they will be rewarded in the same way. The modern day discipleship vocation is about people dedicating their lives to others and there are many people who do this, for example, people in the priesthood. These people are required to turn their backs on their personal wishes and devote themselves to God, regardless of the cost. People who are able to do this must have a great amount of courage and a lot of support from the people around them.
Thousands of people have suffered for there faith. Oscar Romero was a Roman Catholic priest from South America and he was shot whilst celebrating mass. He was very much an important figure in El Salvador and he felt that he had to speak out after his friend had been shot by a military firing squad. He inspired many people with his speeches and gave the people some hope.

The mission of the 12 (6:7-13) is a passage that was always very important for the 12 disciples and it still has a place in the Christian religion. It remains as the mission of the church and many modern day disciples still go out to preach the gospel. There are Christian organisations, which carry the mission of the twelve disciples in a modern way. The parable of the Sheep and Goats (Matthew 25:31-46) is very important for organisations like CAFOD and Christian Aid because they make it a priority in their modern day work that the hungry should have food and those who are naked should be clothed. CAFOD works all over the world tackling the problem of poverty, regardless of race or religion.
Religion has become ‘unfashionable’ in many areas of society and many things can be a barrier between a person and discipleship. But there are people who manage to become good disciples in the modern world. There are some people who make great sacrifices to follow Jesus and one example of someone who did do this is Mother Theresa of Calcutta. It is still very difficult for someone to be a modern day disciple because so many things can affect the want and ability to be one.

The rewards that modern day disciples receive are still great but in a different way. They believe they will be given eternal life in the kingdom of God, and they also still believe that whatever they give up now, they will get a hundred times as much back after death.

I think that it is extremely difficult to be a modern day disciple because of people’s lifestyles and the mission now has a different meaning to the one in Jesus’ time. I think it is difficult to relate to the Cost of Discipleship (Mark 8:27-33) in the modern world because people are judged by many different aspects of their lifestyle. They are usually judged in a positive way about their possessions and material goods but they are judged in a negative way about their religion. Religion has become very ‘unfashionable’. Today’s world is so materialistic and people wouldn’t understand if someone abandoned their responsibilities to become a disciple. It would seem extremely odd for someone to give up everything they own to follow Jesus’ word and also not practical, as society revolves around money, and to give up a job and therefore money would not be seen as a ‘sane’ act. The majority would see you as being irresponsible. Being a modern day disciple affects many areas of a person’s life and nearly every word or action is as a result of Jesus’ influence.
But I do think that some people’s faith is strong enough to allow them to be a modern day disciple, even though they do not give up as much as the first 12 did. There are many people who have made great sacrifices to follow Jesus and do his work in our world today. Mother Teresa of Calcutta was a strong believer in Christ and she is an example of a disciple in the modern world. Being a disciple of Jesus has many implications for every area of a person’s life and this is because their every action is influenced by Jesus’ example. St Teresa of Avila (a 16th century RC Carmelite nun) once said, “Christ has no body now on earth but yours, no hands but yours, no feet but yours.” This means that we are on earth to represent Jesus. Today we live with a very important mission and that is to serve Jesus during our time on earth, preach the word of God and be disciples.

“It is not possible to be a true disciple of Jesus in the modern world.”

Some people could see this statement as being true. Many Christians find it hard to follow all of Jesus’ teachings and become a totally dedicated disciple to Jesus. They may find it difficult to show all the qualities of a disciple, such as giving up all they have because they may have responsibilities and it would be irresponsible to leave them. Also society has changed and money is needed, some people cannot rely on charity alone as people are more materialistic and therefore unwilling to part with everything, they may not have enough faith though they still wish to go out and preach or heal.
However some people may disagree with this statement. We see from nuns, monks, and priests that there are many people who are willing to give up all they have as the first disciples did. There are those who act as missionaries who preach and spread the word of God, and who care for the sick showing the qualities of a true disciple. These people give away all they have and depend on God, knowing he will help them in the long run.
Then there are normal people who live everyday lives yet they can show that they are true disciples as they may risk their lives to save others. There are also other ways to be a disciple instead of going out and preaching as a priest or missionary. If a person leads a good and Christian life showing kindness and generosity to others they are preaching by showing people a great way to live and are therefore setting an example for others. I think it is possible to be a true disciple if one does as much as they can to help others and be a good Christian, even if it is only by doing small things, it will still result in rewards and an entry into the Kingdom of God.