Discipleship | Jamb Christian Religious Studies

The Call of the First Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22; 9:9-13; Mark 1:16-20; 2:13-17; Luke 5:1-11; 27-32)

1. Matthew 4:18-19 introduces the first disciples—Peter and his brother Andrew—whom Jesus calls while they are fishing, urging them to follow Him and become "fishers of men."
2. Matthew 4:20 shows that Peter and Andrew immediately leave their nets and follow Jesus, demonstrating their prompt response to His call.
3. Matthew 4:21-22 recounts the calling of James and John, the sons of Zebedee, who leave their father and the family business to follow Jesus without hesitation.
4. Mark 1:16-18 mirrors Matthew's account of the calling of Simon (Peter) and Andrew, where Jesus calls them to follow Him and become fishers of men.
5. Mark 1:19-20 describes the calling of James and John, who, like their fellow disciples, leave their family and occupation to follow Jesus, marking the start of their discipleship journey.
6. Luke 5:1-3 sets the stage for the calling of Peter, showing that Jesus initially teaches the crowd from Simon's boat before calling him to follow.
7. Luke 5:4-7 shows how Jesus directs Peter to cast his nets again after a fruitless night of fishing, resulting in a miraculous catch that leads Peter to recognize Jesus' divine authority.
8. Luke 5:8-10 describes Peter’s humility and awe at the miraculous catch, where he acknowledges Jesus as Lord and Jesus calls him to become a fisher of men.
9. Luke 5:11 concludes the calling of Peter and the other disciples, who leave everything behind to follow Jesus, emphasizing the radical nature of discipleship.
10. Matthew 9:9 marks the calling of Matthew (Levi), a tax collector, who leaves his lucrative position to follow Jesus, showing that Jesus’ call extends to all, even those considered sinners.
11. Matthew 9:10-11 shows Jesus dining with tax collectors and sinners, demonstrating that His ministry is for the marginalized and that discipleship includes outreach to those in need.
12. Matthew 9:12-13 reveals Jesus' response to the Pharisees’ criticism of His association with sinners, stating that He came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
13. Mark 2:13-14 describes the calling of Levi (Matthew) in the same context, where Jesus invites him to follow while he is at his tax booth, highlighting Jesus’ reach to the outcasts of society.
14. Mark 2:15-17 emphasizes the theme of Jesus' association with sinners, reinforcing that discipleship requires reaching out to those who need spiritual healing and transformation.
15. Luke 5:27-28 recounts the calling of Matthew in a similar manner, highlighting that his response was immediate and complete, leaving everything to follow Jesus.
16. Luke 5:29-32 further illustrates the theme of Jesus calling sinners to repentance, as Matthew hosts a banquet for Jesus with other tax collectors and sinners.
17. The calling of the first disciples demonstrates that Jesus’ invitation to follow Him is open to all, regardless of their background or social standing.
18. The first disciples’ response to Jesus’ call is immediate and radical, showing the profound impact of Jesus’ message and the commitment required to follow Him.
19. The calling of the first disciples highlights the diverse nature of Jesus' followers—fishermen, a tax collector—emphasizing that discipleship transcends social and professional boundaries.
20. The miraculous catch of fish in Luke 5 emphasizes the power of Jesus and the confirmation of His divine authority, reinforcing the call to discipleship.
21. Jesus’ call to Simon Peter and Andrew to become "fishers of men" signifies the transformative nature of discipleship, shifting from physical labor to spiritual work.
22. James and John’s response to Jesus’ call is immediate, showing their willingness to leave behind their family and work to follow Jesus’ mission.
23. The calling of Matthew (Levi) illustrates that Jesus sought those who were considered outcasts by society, further emphasizing the inclusiveness of discipleship.
24. Jesus’ ability to call ordinary individuals like fishermen and tax collectors shows that discipleship is not limited to the elite, but open to all who are willing to follow.
25. The first disciples’ decision to leave everything behind (family, jobs, security) demonstrates the radical nature of discipleship, requiring total commitment to Jesus’ mission.
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The Demands of Discipleship (Matthew 8:19-22; Luke 9:57-63; 14:25-33)

26. Matthew 8:19-20 recounts a conversation between Jesus and a scribe, where Jesus emphasizes the cost of following Him, stating that the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head.
27. Matthew 8:21-22 describes a disciple who asks to bury his father before following Jesus, but Jesus tells him to let the dead bury their own dead, emphasizing the urgency of following Him over personal obligations.
28. Luke 9:57-58 portrays a man who desires to follow Jesus, but Jesus warns him of the difficulties of discipleship, showing that following Him requires sacrifice and commitment.
29. Luke 9:59-60 shows another potential disciple who is called to follow Jesus but asks to bury his father first; Jesus’ response underscores the priority of the call to follow over familial duties.
30. Luke 9:61-62 highlights the cost of discipleship when another man expresses a desire to follow Jesus but wants to say goodbye to his family first. Jesus responds by stating that anyone who looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.
31. Luke 14:25-26 teaches that discipleship demands complete devotion to Jesus, where He must be loved more than one’s family, even more than life itself, to be a true disciple.
32. Luke 14:27 emphasizes the need to "carry your cross" as a requirement for discipleship, indicating that following Jesus involves enduring hardship and suffering.
33. Luke 14:28-30 teaches that discipleship involves careful consideration and commitment, as Jesus compares it to a man building a tower, who must first count the cost to ensure he can complete the task.
34. Luke 14:31-32 further illustrates the cost of discipleship by comparing it to a king going to war, who must evaluate his strength before engaging in battle, emphasizing that discipleship requires preparation and commitment.
35. Luke 14:33 concludes by stating that anyone who does not give up everything they have cannot be a disciple, reinforcing the idea of total surrender in following Jesus.
36. The demand for radical commitment is clear in these passages, as discipleship requires prioritizing Jesus over personal comforts, relationships, and worldly attachments.
37. Jesus' call to discipleship is not easy, and He clearly states that it demands a willingness to endure hardship and sacrifice for the sake of the Kingdom of God.
38. The cost of discipleship includes leaving behind everything that could hinder one’s commitment to following Jesus, whether it be family, career, or personal desires.
39. The call to follow Jesus is not a passive decision, but an active commitment that requires careful consideration of the sacrifices involved.
40. Jesus' warnings in these passages emphasize that following Him is not to be taken lightly, as discipleship involves a total reorientation of one's life toward God’s mission.
41. The sacrifice required for discipleship can be seen as a means of spiritual growth, where believers learn to rely on God and prioritize His Kingdom over their own ambitions.
42. The urgency of discipleship is highlighted in Jesus’ responses to potential followers who seek to delay their commitment, teaching that the call to follow Jesus must be immediate and wholehearted.
43. The demand for cross-bearing in discipleship is not merely metaphorical but involves real struggles and challenges, which are to be embraced in the pursuit of following Jesus.
44. Jesus’ teaching on discipleship emphasizes the necessity of putting Him first in all aspects of life, even above the most intimate and personal relationships.
45. The cost of discipleship is depicted as a wise choice, where believers are encouraged to count the cost and evaluate whether they are ready to make the necessary sacrifices.
46. Discipleship involves a radical redefinition of priorities, where Jesus becomes the central focus of one’s life and all other aspects are seen through the lens of serving Him.
47. The demand for self-denial in discipleship means that believers must be willing to give up personal desires and ambitions for the sake of following Jesus.
48. The requirement of endurance in discipleship reflects Jesus’ call to not only start following Him but to persevere in faith despite difficulties and temptations.
49. The spiritual cost of discipleship includes personal loss and suffering, yet it leads to eternal rewards and a deeper relationship with God.
50. Jesus’ radical teachings on discipleship challenge believers to go beyond superficial commitment and embrace a lifestyle of total dedication to God's will.
51. The call to discipleship is extended to everyone, but it requires a willingness to leave behind the familiar, secure, and comfortable aspects of life in order to fully embrace God’s Kingdom.
52. Discipleship demands radical obedience, where followers of Jesus are called to obey His teachings and commands, even when it contradicts worldly values.
53. The cost of discipleship involves not just physical sacrifices but a mental and emotional shift, where believers must align their desires with the purposes of God.
54. The call to follow Jesus is a call to revolutionize one's life in alignment with the Gospel, with the ultimate goal being to live in full obedience to God’s commands.
55. The demands of discipleship are not meant to discourage potential followers but to highlight the seriousness and depth of commitment required to be a true disciple of Jesus.
56. Discipleship requires radical transformation, as Jesus calls His followers to completely surrender their lives and will to God’s plan and mission.
57. The cost of discipleship includes a willingness to embrace rejection, misunderstanding, and even persecution, as followers of Jesus will face opposition from the world.
58. Jesus’ teachings on discipleship emphasize that it is a lifelong journey, where believers continuously grow in obedience, faith, and commitment to Christ’s mission.
59. Discipleship involves sacrifice in many forms, whether it be time, energy, relationships, or material possessions, but the rewards far outweigh the cost.
60. The essence of discipleship is seen in one’s willingness to follow Jesus in every area of life, laying down personal ambitions in exchange for God’s eternal purpose.

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