16.1 Discipleship (Nature of Discipleship)

Question 1

Who are disciples and what does Mark’s Gospel show?

Answer 1

Disciples are people who are called to follow the way and teaching of Jesus Christ.
Mark’s Gospel shows us how:
- the first disciples were called to their mission
- Jesus leading his followers by example

Question 2

STORY Mark 1: 14-20

Jesus calls the first disciples

Answer 2

• John the Baptist was put in prison
• Simon (Peter) and Andrew had the occupation of fishermen
• They did not hesitate to follow Jesus: “Come follow me…and I will make you fishers of men” At once they left their nets and followed him.
• The sons of Zebedee were James and John who were also fishermen by trade, called to be a disciple of Jesus- they left without delay

Question 3

STORY Mark 2: 13-17

Jesus chooses another important disciple

Answer 3

• Jesus called Levi the tax collector to be a disciple (who also changed his name to Matthew, writing one of the Gospels)
• Jesus and his disciples ate with many tax collectors and ‘sinners’
• The pharisees and teachers of the law saw this and asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and ‘sinners’?”
• Jesus overheard them and said: “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but the sinners.”

Question 4

STORY Mark 6: 7-13

Jesus sends out the twelve

Answer 4

• After Jesus called twelve people to be his closest followers, the disciples learnt how to spread the news of God by copying what Jesus did: “He called the twelve”
• He sent them out in pairs to keep them safe and give them company: “began to send them out two by two”
• He gave them power by his example- to forgive and cleanse spirits: “gave them authority over the unclean spirits”
• Jesus did not want to force people to believe: “If any place will not welcome you and they refuse to hear you, as you leave, shake off the dust that is on your feet as a testimony against them”
• They were not allowed any supplies except sandals and a staff for the journey

Question 5

NOTES calling of disciples

Answer 5

-Is this reasonable to do in today’s world?
Yes: should be true to faith with complete trust in Jesus, spiritual life is more important than earthly one, ‘love your God with all your soul, heart and mind’, disciple vocation…
No: our society is much more settled, can’t just think about ourselves when there is family to think about, education/job/house, duty to ‘honour your father and mother’, care for others, not everyone is suited to this vocation, other commitments…

Question 6

NOTES calling Levi

Answer 6

• tax collectors were outcast in Jewish society as they collected money for the Romans- it was common for them to be corrupt
• Jesus was trying to teach people that he needed to help the sinners that weren’t healthy and reach out to more people

Question 7

NOTES sending out the twelve

Answer 7

-Problems: not considerate to expect people to provide for strangers, making themselves vulnerable, not suitable in our society today etc…