the call

why did Jesus

have to call
disciples for
mission?

what is unique about

the way Jesus
called his disciples?

what is Discipleship ?

what is the
significance of
the call of Jesus
today?

LUKE 4:14-21

THE MISSION

he tells us what he will do.

there is still emphasis on who he is.

MATTHEW 4:18-22

jesus shared his ministry with friends

Friends were called to witness and share
everything Jesus said and did.
Disciples were called and chosen to better
proclaim and preach Gods Word in all the
world.

Jesus' apostles were just ordinary men.

(fishermen) with little of what the world deems
necessary for success such as education,
wealth and social standing.

Jesus promises these men a share in Jesus

work however, this entails abandonment of
family and former way of life.

The apostles did not know who Jesus was or

not sure of what He was trying to do yet, it is
to these men that Jesus entrusted the mission
of carrying on His work.

The disciples response is motivated by Jesus

invitation, an element that emphasizes His
mysterious power.

DISCIPLE
discipulus
learner

discere
learn

DISCIPLESHIP
An acceptance of Jesus
invitation to be his follower, and
most of all, to be his friend.

DISCIPLESHIP

This is the task of one who is called by Jesus

Christ. A disciple is one who follows the way
of the master. This faithfulness stems from the
trust that the master will lead us in this case to
God - the divine master.

the paradox of
DISCIPLESHIP

It is a gift and a task. It is a gift because it is

Jesus who calls. It is a task because a free
loving response is expected from us who are
called.

DISCIPLESHIP
Discipleship not only involves being
with Jesus, being like him, and following him,
it also means that we make it our goal
to make others disciples and lead them to
holiness
Discipleship is a gift and a call.
It is Christ who takes the initiative
and we are expected to give a free
and loving response.

the paradox of
DISCIPLESHIP

It is not just a teacher-student relationship.

Because of the way Jesus chose them, it was
really an offer of deeper relationship - a call to
friendship.

baptismal call
We receive this call to
discipleship during our
Baptism. It is as if we hear
the invitation of Jesus to
Come and see.

Jesus calling us to discipleship and friendship

is also a call to attain a greater goal union
with God.
Union with God = Holiness = True Joy

CHARACTERISTICS OF

DISCIPLESHIP

CHARACTERISTICS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
JOHN 15:16-17
It begins from Jesus initiative. The disciples were
drawn to share in the mission. It is not something that is
earned or worked for. Jesus called ordinary followers. The
disciples response were instant, complete and
unquestioned. It is always an invitation, an opportunity, or
a calling. It is a gift. The disciple therefore needs to be
open. He needs to have a heart that is ready to listen to
Jesus call, to be able to respond in faith.

CHARACTERISTICS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
JOHN 15:14-15
The call was for a lasting relationship with Jesus.
The call was not to learn a skill or doctrine. Christs
invitation to enter into a friendship with Him requires a
personal response. The disciple enters into a loving
relationship; a relationship that is for life as opposed to an
impersonal and time-bound contract. To sustain the
relationship, prayer is a necessity. This is the commitment
to listen and to talk to the Master regularly and sincerely.

CHARACTERISTICS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
MARK 1:15; MATTHEW 5:20
It involves conversion or a radical change of heart
and mind (metanoia). The relationship that Jesus offers
is one that inspires change for the better. It involves turning
away from anything and anyone which does not lead one
to God (a turning away from sinful habits and attitudes).
This turning away involves self-discipline and self-denial.
This enables the disciple to control his selfish desires and
focus more on the Master and the mission.

CHARACTERISTICS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
MARK 10:43-45
It entails a mission. Their bond was sealed with the shared
mission. Jesus called followers not for their sake only but to bear
fruit, fishers of men, make disciples of all nations. It is about
service and simplicity not about power and fame. Jesus, the
Master came to serve and not to be served, setting an example for
His disciples to follow. Likewise, responding to the call takes a
great deal of sacrifice (sufferings) and humility. A disciple offers
everything that hes capable of to better serve others as a sign of
his devotion to the Master.

CONDITIONS OF

DISCIPLESHIP

CONDITIONS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
LUKE 9:59-62
It requires a free, immediate and unconditional
response. This is of course not to say that Christian
discipleship is an unthinking choice; rather, it is an
empowering call, where the disciple is able to make an
immediate response; one that is not based on fear, if or
but (I will follow if. I will follow but ).

CONDITIONS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
LUKE 9:59-62
A disciple must be selfless and must focus on Jesus
and the mission. It takes faith, commitment and singlehearted devotion to the Master to become a true disciple.
Worldly concerns become less of a priority since they are
placed in the hands of the Master. Focus on the Master
and the mission becomes the primary preoccupation of
the disciple.

CONDITIONS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
LUKE 9:23
Discipleship calls for commitment and readiness to
suffer. Discipleship entails suffering. Just as Christ
suffered, so too the disciple. To persevere to the end is a
sign of commitment. This entails a total permanent
surrender to Christ in the spirit of obedience, humility and
radical trust.

CONDITIONS OF

DISCIPLESHIP
MATTHEW 10:37
Discipleship demands that God is always the
priority; detachment from wordly concerns is
necessary. Discipleship requires that the Kingdom of God
is the most important concern. The disciple is called to
detach himself from anything and anyone that may stop
him from doing and accomplishing his mission of
promoting the values of Jesus.

PROFILING THE

DISCIPLE

Theres Something About Mary

A Christian disciple is
one who obeys God/
Christ.

You are my friends if you do

what I command you

LUKE 1:30-38
Behold I am the
handmaid of the Lord.
May it be done to me
according to your word.

A Christian disciple is one

who openly confesses
ones faith in God.

Whoever denies me before

men, I will deny Him before
my Father.

LUKE 1:46-55
My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord;
my spirit rejoices in God my savior.
For he has looked upon his handmaids lowliness;
behold, from now on will all ages call me blessed.
The Mighty One has done great things for me,
and holy is his name.
His mercy is from age to age to those who fear him.
He has shown might with his arm,
dispersed the arrogant of mind and heart.
He has thrown down the rulers from their thrones
but lifted up the lowly.
The hungry he has filled with good things;
the rich he has sent away empty.
He has helped Israel his servant,
remembering his mercy,
according to his promise to our fathers,
to Abraham and to his descendants forever.

Blessed are you

among women

A Christian disciple is one

who loves others in God/
Jesus.

Love one another

as I love you.

JOHN 2:1-11
When the wine ran short,
the mother of Jesus said to
him, They have no wine.
[And] Jesus said to her,
Woman, how does your
concern affect me? My
hour has not yet come.
His mother said to the
servers, Do whatever he
tells you.

A sword shall pierce

your heart.

A Christian disciple is
one who accepts
sufferings for Jesus.

You are my friends if you do

what I command you

JOHN 19:25-27
Standing by the cross of Jesus
were his mother
Woman, behold your son.
Behold, your mother.

A Christian disciple is one

who seeks union with Jesus
through prayer & reflection.
A Christian disciple is one
who strives to know God/
Christ through the Scriptures.
A Christian disciple is one
who worships Jesus Christ/
glorifies God through an
upright & simple lifestyle.

MARY
MODEL DISCIPLE
1. One who obeys the will of
God.
2. One who openly confesses
faith in God.
3. One who accepts suffering,
struggles, challenges for
God.
4. One who loves others
because of Jesus.
5. One who consistently
strives to become like Jesus.