Unit 6 St Marks: Discipleship
Lesson 1: The Call of the Twelve
• To describe the call of
the first 4 disciples
• To compare how people
experience their calling
today
• To evaluate the demands
of discipleship
Most people do not just drop their old beliefs, plans,
activities, just like that, because they hear about Jesus.
However, meeting Jesus personally, for a lot of people
like Bishop Montefiore, has had this effect. Meeting
Jesus took all their doubts away. They knew they could
follow him, and never looked back.
So what was it like for the first two disciples that Jesus
called?
Bishop Hugh Montefiore
Hugh was born in 1920 into a famous
Jewish family. He was sent to a boarding
school in Rugby. When he was 16, in his
study, he saw a figure in white coming
towards him and saying “Follow Me”. He
believed this was Jesus, even though he
knew little about Christianity. From that
moment on, he became a Christian, and
went on to become a priest.
• Read about Jesus’ call Mark
1:16-20 (p.118)
1. What offer did Jesus make to
the first 2 disciples, Simon and
Andrew? What does this
mean?
2. How did they respond?
3. How was the call of the next 2
disciples, James and John,
similar?
4. What does the fact that two
different pairs of men reacted
in the same way to Jesus’ call,
tell you about Jesus’ call?
5. What does their reaction tell
you about the 4 men?
**How is this similar to Bishop
Montefiore’s call?
A disciple is anyone who follows Jesus, but Jesus
wanted 12 closest disciples – people to
accompany him everywhere, and share in his
mission of preaching and healing.
This mission is made clear to them at the Great
Commission, when they are given authority to
be leaders in preaching the gospel to the world.
Then they would be called Apostles.
1. What is the difference between a
disciple and an apostle?
**Why do you think fishermen would
be a good choice as disciples?
“Come, follow me, and I will
make you fishers of men”.
(The Call of the First Disciples, Mk 1:16)
Now they are called to be
Jesus’ closest disciples, to learn
from him
Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every
creature.
(The Great Commission, Mk 16:14)
Now they are sent out to
preach the gospel to the
world. & called Apostles.
During his ministry, Jesus sent out his 12 disciples for a “trial run” as
Apostles, sent out to preach and heal in his name. Mark 6:7-13
What was surprising about the instructions he gave them?
What their
task is (3
things)
Allowed to
take/ go with
“Calling the 12 to him, Jesus
sent them out two by two
and gave them authority
over evil spirits.” Mk 6:7-13
Not allowed to How to
take
behave with
their host
What to do if
rejected
1. Copy and fill out the table.
2. Why do you think Jesus restricted
them in what they could take? How
would that affect their attitude?
**Why do you think Jesus sent them on
this mission?
Trusting in God
• When someone feels they are called by God, they do
not actually know what it means. It is God’s plan, not
theirs. They need faith.
– What does God wants me to do?
– Will I be OK?
– Will I have enough to survive on?
This is like the disciples, sent out by Jesus
on a mission to towns where they did not
know if they would be welcomed.
How could you encourage someone like
that?