ON CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP Lesson Note
References: Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9–13; Mark 1:16–20; 2:13–17; Luke 5:1–11, 27–32; Luke 6:12–16
This SS3 CRS lesson note covers ON CALL TO DISCIPLESHIP for First Term, Week 4.
Lesson Note
References: Matthew 4:18–22; 9:9–13; Mark 1:16–20; 2:13–17; Luke 5:1–11, 27–32; Luke 6:12–16
LEARNING OBJECTIVES
By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:
1. Define a disciple and discipleship.
2. Describe the call of the first four disciples of Jesus.
3. Discuss the demands of discipleship.
4. Identify the names of the twelve disciples of Jesus.
5. Explain the reasons why Jesus required disciples.
A. INTRODUTION
MEANING OF A DISCIPLE
Disciple means follower, one who takes another as teacher and model.
In Christianity, a disciple is a person who believes in Jesus Christ, follows His teachings and seeks to live according to His example.
B. MEANING ofOF DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship is the process of following Jesus Christ, learning from Him, obeying His teachings and helping to spread the Gospel.
Discipleship therefore involves more than simply believing in Jesus. It requires commitment, obedience, sacrifice and service.
C. THE CALL OF THE FIRST FOUR DISCIPLES (Matt.4:18-25,MK1:16-20)
As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee ,he saw Simon Peter and Andrew casting a net into the sea because they were fishermen.
Jesus said to them:
"Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men."
They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Going further, Jesus saw James and John, the sons of Zebedee, in a boat with their father, preparing their fishing nets.
Jesus called them, and they immediately left the boat and their father and followed Him
D. THE CALL OF MATTHEW(Matt.9:9-15; MK.2:13-17)
Jesus later saw Matthew, also called Levi, a tax collector sitting at the tax office
Jesus said to him:
"Follow me."
Matthew immediately got up and followed Jesus.
Jesus later ate with tax collectors and sinners, demonstrating His willingness to bring sinners into God's kingdom.
E. NAMES OF THE TWELVE DISCIPLES OF JESUS
The twelve apostles/disciple were:
*Simon Peter
*Andrew
*James, son of Zebedee
*John, son of Zebedee
*Philip
*Bartholomew
*Matthew
*Thomas
*James, son of Alphaeus
*Thaddaeus/Judas, son of James
*Simon the Zealot
*Judas Iscariot
F. WHY DID JESUS REQUIRED DISCIPLES
Jesus required disciples for several important reasons:
1. To spread the Gospel – The disciples were to preach the message of God's kingdom.
2. To continue His work – They would continue His ministry after His death and resurrection.
3. To train future Christian leaders – Jesus taught and prepared them for leadership.
4. To be witnesses – They were to testify about His life, death and resurrection.
5. To establish the Church – The disciples played an important role in establishing the early Christian community.
6. To make more disciples – Jesus commanded His followers to make disciples of all nations.
7. To serve humanity – They were expected to demonstrate God's love through service.
8. To proclaim salvation – They were to tell people about repentance and salvation through Christ.
G. THE DEMANDS FOR DISCIPLESHIP
Content:Matt.8:18-22; LK.9:57-62;LK.14:25-33
Jesus encounter with the three would be disciples brought out clearly the three major demands of discipleship of Jesus as:
1. SeIf-denal
2. Prompt Response
3. Total commitment
1. Jesus was met by a man who told him that he would follow him (Jesus) wherever he would go.
Jesus told him” Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests but the son of man has no where to lay his head” implying that those who went to follow him should not expect comfortable life -seif-denal is involved.
2. Jesus told another would be disciples to follow him but the man asked Jesus to allow him first to go to bury his father. Jesus told him: “leave the dead to bury the dead” the man was not ready make prompt response to Jesus ‘ call.
Divine call should be given prior and prompt response if faced with material call.
3. The third would be disciple told Jesus, “Will follow you Lord but let me first day farewell to those at home” Jesus replied him , “No one who puts one’s hands to plough and look back is fit for the Kingdom of God”. This implies that following Jesus demands total and whole -hearted commitment.
Further teachings of Jesus on the demands of discipleship are contained in LK 14:25-33.
4. Jesus said to the multitude who came to listen to his preaching:
“IF anyone comes to me does not hate his own father mother and wife and children and brothers, sisters, yes even his life, he cannot be my disciples”
5. “Whoever does not bear his Cross and come after me, cannot be my disciple”.
6. “So, whoever of you does not renounce all that he has, cannot be my disciple”.
WEEKLY EVALUATION OBJECTIVE QUESTIONS
1. What is a disciple?
A. An enemy of Jesus
B. A follower and learner of a teacher
C. A Roman soldier
D. A tax collector
2. Who were the first two fishermen called by Jesus?
A. Peter and John
B. James and Matthew
C. Peter and Andrew
D. Philip and Thomas
3. Jesus promised to make Peter and Andrew ______.
A. rulers of Israel
B. priests
C. fishers of men
D. soldiers
4. Who was sitting at the tax booth when Jesus called him?
A. Matthew
B. John
C. James
D. Thomas
5. According to Luke, what happened when Peter obeyed Jesus and let down his net?
A. He caught no fish
B. He caught a great number of fish
C. The boat sank immediately
D. He returned home
6. Which of the following was NOT one of the twelve disciples?
A. Philip
B. Bartholomew
C. Nicodemus
D. Thomas
7. Which disciple betrayed Jesus?
A. Andrew
B. Judas Iscariot
C. Matthew
D. James
8. One major demand of discipleship is ______.
A. selfishness
B. self-denial
C. dishonesty
D. revenge
9. Jesus required disciples mainly to ______.
A. become wealthy
B. spread the Gospel
C. rule the Roman Empire
D. collect taxes
10. Who is a disciple?
A. A person
B. Jesus
C. lord
D. A follower
Theory Questions
1. Narrate the call of the first four disciples .
2. What demands did Jesus make of the prospective? (a) Disciples He encountered and their response.
3. Outline three reasons why Jesus required disciple