Module 6 The Calling of The Disciples

Module 6 -The Calling of the Disciples
Module 6.1. The Meaning of Disciple
Jesus said: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers

of men” Mark 1:17. Jesus Christ selected and trained
men who would represent him in the world in the
coming days, to minister to the world for him. Six of
them were fishermen from Galilee and others had
different occupation. All were from Galilee except
Judas, the man of Kerioth, from Judea.
Jesus spent time with his disciples, taught them, led
them, and prayed for them, that they may learn to
reach out to people in Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.
The disciples were sent out for mission as soon
as they were equipped and empowered with the
promise that God will never leave them alone.
They were also called the 12 apostles of Christ,
which means the “ambassadors, or messengers
of Christ.”
What Does “Disciple” Mean?
A disciple (from Latin discipulus, ‘pupil,’
‘learner,’ corresponding to Greek mathetes, from
manthano, ‘to learn’) is basically the pupil of a
teacher.
Jesus was popularly known as a teacher or
rabbi and his associates were known as disciples.
Everyone who responded to his message is a
disciple (see Luke 6:17; 19:37).
This term may also be applied to a believer, a
convert to Christianity, and to one who strives to
measure up to the demands of Jesus Christ in
terms of sacrificial devotion (Harrison, 148).
In verb form, the term ‘disciple’ denotes the making
of converts (Acts 14:21).
Module 6.2-The Twelve Disciples of Jesus
Christ
The number 12 suggests the influence of
Hebraic tradition and perhaps warrants the
terminology so commonly used today of the church
– the New Israel (Harrison, 139). The following are
the original twelve appointed by Jesus (Matthew
10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16).
A. The “Inner Circle” because they were
accorded special privileges ( Mt. 17:1; 26:37;
Mk. 5:37)
1. Simon - Also called Peter (“The reed” changed

to rock,”Petros” “rock”). Son of Jonas or John.
Home: Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman.
Wrote 1 & II Peter. Bible history and traditional
legends: Evangelistic and missionary work among
the Jews, going as far as Babylon (1 Peter 5:13).
Tradition says as far as Rome, where he was
crucified, head downward.
2. James (Supplanter, “The Elder”) – Also called
Boanerges or Son of Thunder. Son of Zebedee and
Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and
Jerusalem. A fisherman. Preached in Jerusalem and
Judea. Beheaded by Herod, A.D. 44 (?) (Ac. 12:1-2).
3. John (God is gracious, “The Beloved Disciple”).

Also son of Thunder, brother of James, son of
Zebedee and Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum
and Jerusalem. A fisherman. Wrote Gospel, I, II, III
John and Revelation. Labored among the churches in
Asia Minor, according to tradition, especially at
Ephesus. Banished to Patmos, afterward freed, and
died a natural death.
B. The Quiet Workers
1. Andrew (Manly, “The Personal Worker”) -

Brother of Peter, son of Jonas or John. Home:
Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman. Originally
a disciple of John the Baptist. Tradition: Preached
in Scythia, Greece and Asia Minor. Crucified on a
St. Andrew’s Cross.
2. Philip (Lover of horses, “Philippos”) – Home:

Bethsaida. Tradition says that he preached in
Phrygia, and died a martyr at Hierapolis.
3. Bartholomew (Gift of God, Nathanael) – Son of Tolmai.
Home: Cana of Galilee. According to tradition, he was a
missionary to Armenia and was flayed to death. Jerome says
he wrote a gospel.
4. Thomas (Twin, “The Doubter”, Didymus) – Home: Galilee.

Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and India.
Suffered martyrdom near Madras, at Mt.St. Thomas.
5. Matthew (Gift of God, Levi) – Son of Alphaeus. Home:

Capernaum. A tax collector. Author of the Gospel Matthew.
Tradition says he died a martyr in Ethiopia.
C. The Little Known
1. James (“Supplanter”, The Less or Younger) –

Son of Alphaeus, or Cleophas and Mary. Home:
Galilee. Wrote epistle of James. According to
tradition, preached in Palestine and Egypt. Was
crucified in Egypt.
2. Jude (“Man of heart”, Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus)

– Brother of James “The Less” from Galilee.
Tradition says he preached in Assyria and Persia
and died a martyr in Persia.
3. Simon (“Hearing”, The Cananaean or Zealot) –
Home: Galilee. Tradition says he was crucified.
D. The Traitor
Judas (“The Traitor”, Iscariot) – Son of Simon.
Home: Kerioth of Judea. He betrayed Jesus for
thirty pieces of silver and afterwards hanged
himself (Mt. 26:14-16; 27:3-5).
Note: Aside from the 12 disciples, Jesus had other
circle of disciples
1. The masses, those present at itinerant
preaching/teaching events and the large public
feedings of the multitudes.
2.The 70 disciples and friends who were impacted
by Jesus’ teachings and healings and were
committed to following him (Anthony, 209).
Module 6.3 - Demands Involved on Becoming a Disciple of
Christ
1. Allegiance to Christ
(Luke 12:8; Luke 14:26-33)
A disciple should have personal allegiance to Christ,
dedication to the cause of Christ, and a heart and mind to
really follow Christ. He/she must be ready to put the claims
of Jesus first whatever the cost.
2. Readiness to leave family belongings
(Mark 10:21, 28; Luke 18:28)
In some cases, the demand is a literal abandonment of
home, business ties, and possessions only to answer the call
for mission/to minister.
3. Bear the Cross
(Matthew16:24; Mark 8: 34-38; John 10:10)
To follow the way of the cross no matter how
difficult it may be. The cross-shaped yoke of Christ
is an instrument of liberation power to those who
live in it with him and learn the meekness and
lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul. “One
cannot be a disciple of Christ without forfeiting
things normally sought in human life. Non-
discipleship may be peaceful, comfortable but will
not fulfill the highest human possibilities and take
life on the highest plane” (Bonhoeffer, 1937).
Module 6.4 - Two-fold Purpose of Discipleship
(Mark 1:16-20) and Tasks of the Disciples
Two-fold Purpose of Discipleship
1. To be with Christ
*To be associated with him
*To express loyalty to him
*To share the outward circumstances of their
common life
*To have opportunities to learn from him
1. To send them forth ( Matt. 28:18-20; Matt.
10:5-15)
Jesus commissioned them to go and make
disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching
people to obey God.
The Tasks of the Disciples (Mk. 3:14; 5:12; 9:38-
41; Lk. 10:1-16)
1. Representatives of Christ to preach his

message
2. To cast out demons
3. To heal the sick, to cure the lepers
4. To raise the dead
5. To give freely as they have received
6. To do as commanded in Matt. 28:18-20

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Module 6 -The Calling of the Disciples

Module 6.1. The Meaning of Disciple

Jesus said: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers

1. Simon - Also called Peter (“The reed” changed

3. John (God is gracious, “The Beloved Disciple”).

1. Andrew (Manly, “The Personal Worker”) -

2. Philip (Lover of horses, “Philippos”) – Home:

4. Thomas (Twin, “The Doubter”, Didymus) – Home: Galilee.

5. Matthew (Gift of God, Levi) – Son of Alphaeus. Home:

1. James (“Supplanter”, The Less or Younger) –

2. Jude (“Man of heart”, Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus)

Two-fold Purpose of Discipleship

1. Representatives of Christ to preach his

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