Discipleship

Discipleship

A disciple is a follower, learner, pupil and messenger. The twelve

disciples were Jesus' closest followers. People today who do this are

known as priests, charity workers and missionaries. They serve god in

their work and preach his word around the world. Disciple is a Latin

word which means 'learner'. Another word for a disciple is an apostle,

which means 'messenger'. Jesus called his disciples by calling them

fishers of men.

Jesus did one thing at the start of his mission and that was, he chose

men from his followers to be his disciples. They were three main

reasons why they were called and they were;

Ÿ To be trained for the task of sharing in Jesus' mission

Ÿ To be the first ones to continue Jesus' mission after he had gone

Ÿ To be the first group of followers who would bring others into the

community.

Jesus called upon four fishermen to drop what they are doing and

follow him.

As Jesus walked along the Sea of Galilee, he saw Simon and his brother

Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. 'come

follow me', Jesus said, 'and I will make you fishers of men.' at once

they left their nets and followed him.

When he had gone a little farther, he saw James son of Zebedee and his

brother John in a boat, preparing their nets. Without delay he called

them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired

men and followed him. The rest of the disciples he called on were

Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus,

Thaddaeus, Simon the zealot and Judas Iscariot.

He appointed twelve, calling them his twelve apostles that they will

be with him and tha...

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... You might feel isolated and alone because other people do

not want to hear about Jesus and his teaching.

Just like disciples in the time of Jesus where rewarded, so to can

disciples today expect payment which he refuses through a remarkable

promise made in Mark Chapter 10: There is no one who has given up

home, brother or sisters, mother, father or children, or land for my

sake and the gospel, who will not receive in this age a hundred times

such as much-houses, brothers and sisters, mothers, fathers, children,

and land-and persecutions besides; and in the age to come eternal

life. (10:29-30)

This promise can be fulfilled in the fellowship the disciple finds in

the church, which is the family of god. This fellowship will be

rewarded at the end of time through eternal life in heaven with their

heavenly saviour.