What Does It Mean To Be A What Does It Mean To Be A Disciple “ Of Jesus”?Disciple “ Of Jesus”?

Discipleship means:Discipleship means:• One who follows Jesus and his One who follows Jesus and his

teachings through any circumstances teachings through any circumstances or upcoming situations.or upcoming situations.

• One who loves God and others with One who loves God and others with all of their hearts, minds, and soul.all of their hearts, minds, and soul.

• One who tries to be more like Jesus One who tries to be more like Jesus through strict obedience of trusting through strict obedience of trusting and sharing his words.and sharing his words.

Discipleship in the GospelsDiscipleship in the Gospels

• The authors of the gospel accounts organized their stories and The authors of the gospel accounts organized their stories and sayings about Jesus. The authors goals were to help Christians in sayings about Jesus. The authors goals were to help Christians in the community grow in “discipleship” the community grow in “discipleship”

• There are similar and differences in the meaning of being disciple There are similar and differences in the meaning of being disciple of Jesus through each of the four Gospels: Mark , Matthew, Luke, of Jesus through each of the four Gospels: Mark , Matthew, Luke, John, Luke. John, Luke.

• Each puts emphasizes on the connection between Jesus, the Each puts emphasizes on the connection between Jesus, the people and the community.people and the community.

• The gospel accounts were written to answer the needs of these The gospel accounts were written to answer the needs of these Christians. Christians.

• Saint Ireneaus, an early Church Father of the third century, Saint Ireneaus, an early Church Father of the third century, believed that the four gospel accounts are like the four points of believed that the four gospel accounts are like the four points of the compass: without each of the four, we wouldn’t be able to find the compass: without each of the four, we wouldn’t be able to find our way.our way.

LukeLuke

• One who uses Gods’ gift positively, mainly, by spreading God’s One who uses Gods’ gift positively, mainly, by spreading God’s Word. Word.

• Believing in faith that God would provide the gifts needed to Believing in faith that God would provide the gifts needed to

succeed.succeed. • Any one no matter the social class you are in can be a discipleAny one no matter the social class you are in can be a disciple..• Luke emphasizes : God will give his messengers special powers Luke emphasizes : God will give his messengers special powers

to accomplish his task.to accomplish his task.• God will respond when the disciples present their needs in God will respond when the disciples present their needs in

prayer.prayer.• Disciples have a special responsibility to do God’s Will. Disciples have a special responsibility to do God’s Will. • All one needs is a loving heart and confidence in God’s All one needs is a loving heart and confidence in God’s

protection.protection.

MatthewMatthew

• According to the gospel, discipleship means being part of a According to the gospel, discipleship means being part of a believing community , the Church applies Jesus’ words believing community , the Church applies Jesus’ words about justice and the Law to daily life. about justice and the Law to daily life.

• Studying and living the teachings of Jesus, the teaching as Studying and living the teachings of Jesus, the teaching as a member of the wider Church community. a member of the wider Church community.

• Participates in the community and makes decisions for the Participates in the community and makes decisions for the community.community.

• Sharing life and faith with others is important for keeping Sharing life and faith with others is important for keeping discipleship strong.discipleship strong.

• The community aids the individual disciple and the disciple The community aids the individual disciple and the disciple in return encourages the others of the community.in return encourages the others of the community.

MarkMark

• Through this gospel discipleship is recognized and revealed Through this gospel discipleship is recognized and revealed through the stressing on the suffering of Jesus. through the stressing on the suffering of Jesus.

• According to Mark the true disciple is one who suffers along According to Mark the true disciple is one who suffers along with Jesus. One who leads to Jesus even if it leads to with Jesus. One who leads to Jesus even if it leads to suffering or death.suffering or death.

• Emphasizes was on Jesus’ power and authorityEmphasizes was on Jesus’ power and authority

• He explains no one can understand Jesus’ mission unless He explains no one can understand Jesus’ mission unless they know that he had to suffer and die to do Gods’ Will.they know that he had to suffer and die to do Gods’ Will.

• One can understand Jesus only in the light of the end of his One can understand Jesus only in the light of the end of his light, especially his death on the cross.light, especially his death on the cross.

JohnJohn• More than the other Gospel accounts, John is written with the needs of a More than the other Gospel accounts, John is written with the needs of a

particular community of believers in mindparticular community of believers in mind..• Luke’s account was to deepen the community’s faith and to guide them in Luke’s account was to deepen the community’s faith and to guide them in

becoming better disciples of Jesus.becoming better disciples of Jesus.• He believes in order to know Jesus, you have to know the Father which is God.He believes in order to know Jesus, you have to know the Father which is God.

John gives guidelines for discipleship of Jesus which are service, doing John gives guidelines for discipleship of Jesus which are service, doing his works, living out the commandments Jesus has given, and seeking his works, living out the commandments Jesus has given, and seeking unity and togetherness with Jesusunity and togetherness with Jesus

Discipleship meansDiscipleship means: : A.A. ServiceService – One needs to humble themselves and serve others. For example, – One needs to humble themselves and serve others. For example,

Jesus washes the feet of his disciples to show reverence.Jesus washes the feet of his disciples to show reverence.B.B. Doing his worksDoing his works – This involves the teaching, healing and revealing God to – This involves the teaching, healing and revealing God to

others. God would provide the disciples with what they need to do Jesus’ work.others. God would provide the disciples with what they need to do Jesus’ work.C.C. Living out the commandments he has givenLiving out the commandments he has given – Its main point is to love one – Its main point is to love one

another even to the point of accepting ones’ death. The true test is love another even to the point of accepting ones’ death. The true test is love because if we love one another, we can obey Jesus’ commands and living his because if we love one another, we can obey Jesus’ commands and living his Word.Word.

D.D. Seeking unity with JesusSeeking unity with Jesus - One of the goals is coming one with Jesus. In other - One of the goals is coming one with Jesus. In other words be connected with Jesus, one who keeps his words and loves his words be connected with Jesus, one who keeps his words and loves his commandments.commandments.