The Path of Discipleship

This week, Austin, Max, Nik, and Erin served as the instructors, with Judy and I as students. We explored what a disciple is, and searched through the gospels for more information on the early disciples and the kind of lives they led.

Our four teachers collaborated to make a list about discipleship:

--Disciples are followers of Jesus.

(prefix dis means follow a path)

--Disciples are learners.

--Students of God's ways.

--Disciples teach others.

--They are loving, kind.

--The church is made up of disciples.

--A disciple could be anyone.

--Began with twelve disciples.

--Two of the Gospel authors are disciples.

We explored seven texts from the gospels that opened us to a fuller picture of Jesus' original disciples and the changing shape of their lives: Mark 1:16-20; Mark 3:13-19; Matthew 9:9-13;

Luke 6:12-16, 8:1-3, 10:1-12. We found out quite a few things! Among Jesus' first century disciples:

Simon (Peter)

Andrew (Simon's brother and fellow fisherman)

James (fishing partner of Peter, Andrew, and his own brother John)

John (James' brother, son of Zebedee, author of fourth gospel)

Philip

Matthew (gospel author, Roman tax collector)

Bartholomew

Thomas

James son of Alphaeus

Simon the Zealot or "Canaanean" (The Zealots were revolutionaries who battled the Romans)

Judas Iscariot (who betrayed Jesus and later took his own life)

Thaddeus

Judas son of James

Levi (tax collector from Mark and Luke's gospel)

"Nathaniel" is mentioned in John's gospel

We note with interest that the list so far has fifteen names! Historically, Levi has been identified with Matthew, the second Judas with Thaddeus, Nathaniel with Bartholomew, as ways to harmonize the "twelve disciples"--but there may be other explanations.

As well, Luke 8 mentions Mary Magdalene, Joanna, Susanna, and many others, who provide bountifully for the ministry. Mary Magdalene and other women become key figures in the stories of Jesus and the sharing of the good news! Joanna is described as the wife of King Herod's steward, Chuza, which is amazing since Herod participates in the killing of Jesus. Joanna's participation with Jesus would have been a dangerous, risky, wonderful thing!

In Luke 10, we hear the story of Jesus sending out out seventy others (perhaps 72)!!

They are evangelists who will prepare the way, proclaim, teach, nurture the building of what will soon be Christian communities. So the communion of disciples is much bigger than we originally imagined!

We noted that, in the case of the tax collector, Jesus calls someone who is severely compromised and is hated by everyone. Putting it bluntly, Jesus even calls people that everyone hates!! And he also calls a Zealot, someone who might have killed tax collectors for being servants of the Romans. We said that this normally would lead to an argument or physical violence. But Jesus teaches the men that they are brothers rather than enemies, and they are both loved/valued by God!

What do all disciples have in common? (1) They are everyday folks (2) Jesus says, "Follow me"

(3) They leave life the way they've known it; their lives always take new shape as a disciple of Jesus.

We'll keep learning!!