Role and nature of discipleship 🎓

Jesus Calls His Disciples

• Jesus walked along the shore of Lake Galilee and saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen.

• He said to them, “Come with me, and I will teach you to catch people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him.

• Going a little farther, he saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in their boat mending nets.

• He called them, and they left their father Zebedee in the boat with the hired men and followed Jesus.

• Later, Jesus saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector's booth and said, “Follow me.” Levi got up and followed him.

Jesus Calls His Disciples Significance

• Demonstrates Jesus' authority to call individuals to discipleship.

• Highlights the immediate and total response expected from followers.

• Shows that Jesus calls people from various backgrounds, including fishermen and tax collectors.

• Emphasizes the inclusivity of Jesus' ministry, reaching out to those considered sinners.

• Sets the foundation for the formation of the early Christian community.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve

• Jesus went up a hill and called to himself the men he wanted, and they came to him.

• He appointed twelve to be with him and to be sent out to preach.

• He gave them authority to drive out demons.

• The twelve he appointed were: Simon (whom he named Peter), James and John (sons of Zebedee, whom he named Boanerges), Andrew, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Thomas, James son of Alphaeus, Thaddaeus, Simon the Patriot, and Judas Iscariot, who betrayed him.

• This selection established the core group of Jesus' followers.

Jesus Chooses the Twelve Significance

• Marks the formal establishment of the group of apostles.

• Demonstrates Jesus' intentional selection of diverse individuals for leadership.

• Empowers the apostles with authority to preach and perform exorcisms.

• Highlights the importance of companionship and shared mission in ministry.

• Foreshadows the role of the apostles in spreading the Gospel after Jesus' resurrection.

The Challenge of Witnessing

• Jesus returned to his hometown, and on the Sabbath, he began teaching in the synagogue.

• Many who heard him were amazed but questioned his wisdom and authority, noting his background as a carpenter and familiarity with his family.

• They took offense at him, leading to a lack of faith among the people.

• Jesus remarked, “Prophets are respected everywhere except in their own hometown.”

• He could not perform any miracles there, except laying hands on a few sick people and healing them.

The Challenge of Witnessing Significance

• Illustrates the difficulties of being accepted by those who are familiar with one's background.

• Highlights the impact of unbelief on the effectiveness of ministry.

• Emphasizes the theme of rejection that Jesus and his followers would face.

• Demonstrates that faith is a crucial component for miracles to occur.

• Serves as a lesson on the challenges of witnessing in one's own community.

The Mission of the Twelve

• Jesus called the twelve disciples and sent them out two by two, giving them authority over evil spirits.

• He instructed them to take nothing for the journey except a walking stick—no bread, no bag, no money.

• They were to wear sandals but not take an extra shirt.

• Wherever they were welcomed, they were to stay until they left that place; if not welcomed, they were to shake the dust off their feet as a testimony against them.

• They went out and preached that people should repent, drove out many demons, and healed many sick people by anointing them with oil.

The Mission of the Twelve Significance

• Demonstrates the delegation of Jesus' authority to his disciples.

• Emphasizes reliance on God's provision during ministry.

• Highlights the importance of hospitality and receptiveness in spreading the Gospel.

• Shows the disciples actively participating in healing and exorcism, extending Jesus' work.

• Illustrates the practice of shaking off dust as a symbolic act against unresponsive communities.

The Cost of Being a Disciple

• Jesus called the crowd and his disciples, saying, “If any of you want to come with me, you must forget yourself, carry your cross, and follow me.”

• He explained that those who want to save their life will lose it, but those who lose their life for him and the Gospel will save it.

• He questioned the value of gaining the whole world but losing one's life.

• Jesus warned against being ashamed of him and his words, stating that he would be ashamed of such people when he comes in his Father's glory.

• This teaching emphasizes self-denial and the willingness to suffer for the sake of the Gospel.

The Cost of Being a Disciple Significance

• Highlights the necessity of self-denial in following Jesus.

• Emphasizes the paradox of losing one's life to save it.

• Challenges believers to prioritize eternal values over worldly gains.

• Warns against the consequences of being ashamed of one's faith.

• Encourages steadfastness in the face of persecution and suffering.

Coping with Temptation

• Jesus warned that causing one of the little ones who believe in him to sin would be better punished by having a large millstone tied around the neck and being thrown into the sea.

• He taught that if one's hand, foot, or eye causes them to sin, it should be removed, for it is better to enter life maimed than to be thrown into hell with all limbs intact.

• Jesus emphasized the seriousness of sin and the lengths one should go to avoid it.

• He spoke about the unquenchable fire of hell and the importance of maintaining one's saltiness, or distinctiveness, as a disciple.

• He concluded by urging his followers to live in peace with one another.

Coping with Temptation Significance

• Stresses the gravity of leading others into sin.

• Encourages radical measures to avoid personal sin.

• Highlights the reality and severity of hell as a consequence of sin.

• Emphasizes the importance of maintaining one's distinctiveness as a follower of Christ.

• Calls for harmony and peace among believers.

The Question About Paying Taxes

• Pharisees and Herodians tried to trap Jesus by asking if it was lawful to pay taxes to the Roman Emperor.

• Jesus, knowing their hypocrisy, asked for a silver coin and inquired whose image and name were on it.

• When they answered, “The Emperor's,” Jesus replied, “Well, then, pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and pay to God what belongs to God.”

• His answer amazed them, and they had nothing more to say.

• This incident showcases Jesus' wisdom in navigating political and religious traps.

The Question About Paying Taxes Significance

• Demonstrates Jesus' ability to avoid political entrapment.

• Highlights the distinction between civic duties and spiritual obligations.

• Encourages believers to fulfill their responsibilities to governing authorities.

• Affirms the importance of giving God what is due to Him.

• Illustrates the wisdom and authority of Jesus in teaching.

The Widow’s Offering

• Jesus sat near the Temple treasury and observed people putting money into the offering box.

• Many rich people gave large amounts, but a poor widow came and put in two small copper coins, worth about a penny.

• Jesus called his disciples and said, “I tell you that this poor widow put more in the offering box than all the others.”

• He explained that the others gave out of their wealth, but she gave all she had to live on.

• This act demonstrated true generosity and faith.

The Widow’s Offering Significance

• Highlights the value of sacrificial giving over the amount given.

• Demonstrates that God values the heart and intention behind the offering.

• Encourages believers to trust God with their resources.

The Pressure of Discipleship

• While Peter was in courtyard, a High Priest's servant women saw him warming himself and said, “You, too, were with Jesus of Nazareth.”

• Peter denied it, saying, “I don't know … I don't understand what you are talking about,” and went out into the passageway. Just then a rooster crowed.

• The servant woman saw him again and told the bystanders, “He is one of them!” But Peter denied it again.

• A little while later, the bystanders said to Peter, “You can't deny that you are one of them, because you, too, are from Galilee.”

• Then Peter said, “I swear that I am telling the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do not know the man you are talking about!”

• Immediately a rooster crowed a second time, and Peter remembered what Jesus had told him, so he broke down and cried.

The Pressure of Discipleship Significance

• Highlights the fear and weakness even among Jesus' closest followers.

• Demonstrates the fulfillment of Jesus' prophecy about Peter's denial.

• Emphasizes the challenges and pressures faced when standing up for one's faith.

• Serves as a lesson on the importance of vigilance and courage in discipleship.

• Illustrates the human tendency to falter, underscoring the need for forgiveness and restoration.

Modern day disciple

• Oscar Romero

• Archbishop in El Salvador

• witnessed violations of human rights, murders, disappearances and torture carried out by the government.

• spoke out against the government but was shot at Mass in his cathedral

Challenges faced by the first disciples

1. They gave up their jobs, family, and friends e.g peters wife

2. Expected to change their ways, leaving old self behind. e.g Levi, tax collector

3. Not allowed to take anything with them, had to travel light and live simple lives

4. People being hostile towards them e.g peters crucifixion

5. Risked losing their lives, threat of persecution from romans

Peter was a good role model agree

• responded immediately to Jesus’ call and was first to recognise him as the Messiah

• gave up his job and family (including his wife) and followed Jesus

• Peter regretted running away when Jesus was arrested and went to find him at the high priest’s house.

• even though he let Jesus down so many times, he was still forgiven and became the first Pope, giving us hope

• Peter died a martyr. He was crucified upside down.

Peter as a good role model disagree

• He lacked faith during the storm on lake Galilee.

• Peter did not accept what Jesus said about the Son of Man having to suffer

• Peter fell asleep in the garden of Gethsemane when Jesus had asked him to keep watch

• Three times Peter denied knowing Jesus

• Peter challenged Jesus about the demands of discipleship, “But we have left everything to follow you.”

Disciples are good role models agree

• They became respected leaders, preaching the good news that Jesus was the Son of God

• Most of them died as martyrs, showing the strength of their faith in Jesus.

• They were not perfect and made mistakes, but made up, who people can relate to

• They all ran away when Jesus was arrested

• Judas betrayed Jesus