Module 5 – THE CALLING OF THE DISCIPLES

Desired Learning Outcomes: At the end of the module, students would have:
1. defined the meaning of the word disciple;
2. named the twelve disciples of Jesus and described them individually;
3. explained the demand on becoming a disciple;
4. stated the two-fold purpose of discipleship and tasks of the disciples.

Module 5.1. The Meaning of the Word Disciple

Jesus said: “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men” Mark 1:17. Jesus Christ selected and trained men who would represent him in the world in
the coming days, to minister to the world for him. He selected and called them by name and bound them to himself. They were ordinary men yet skilled and
resourceful. Six of them were fishermen on the Sea of Galilee and others with different occupation. All were from Galilee except Judas, the man of Keriot, from
Judea. Jesus spent time with his disciples, taught them, led them, and prayed for them, that they may learn to reach out people in Jerusalem, in all Judea and
Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. Jesus selected and trained them to conquer the world in his name. “He called them his friends rather than his servants for
he had taught them everything he had learned from his Father” (John 15:15).
The disciple were sent out for mission as soon as they were equipped and empowered with the promise that God will never leave them alone. They were
also called the 12 apostles of Christ, which means the ambassadors, or messengers of Christ.

What does “disciple” mean?

 A disciple (from Latin discipulus, ‘pupil,’ ‘learner,’ corresponding to Greek mathetes, from manthano, ‘to learn’) is basically the pupil of a teacher.
 Jesus was popularly known as a teacher or rabbi and his associates were known as disciples. All who responded to his message is a disciple (see
Luke 6:17; 19:37).
 This term may also be applied to a believer, a convert to Christianity, and to one who strives to measure up to the demands of Jesus Christ in terms
of sacrificial devotion (Harrison, 1986).
 In verb form, the term ‘disciple’ denotes the making of converts (Acts 14:21).

Module 5.2. The Twelve Disciples of Christ

The number 12 suggests the influence of Hebraic tradition and perhaps warrants the terminology so commonly used today of the church – the New
Israel (Harrison, 139). The following are the original twelve appointed by Jesus (Matthew 10:2-4; Mark 3:16-19; Luke 6:13-16).
A. The “Inner Circle” because they were accorded special privileges ( Mt. 17:1; 26:37;
Mk. 5:37)
 1. Simon - Also called Peter (“The reed changed to rock”, Petros “rock”). Son of Jonas or John. Home: Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman. Wrote 1 &
II Peter. Bible history and traditional legends: Evangelistic and missionary work among the Jews, going as far as Babylon (1 Pe. 5:13). Tradition says as
far as Rome, where he was crucified, head downward.
2. James (Supplanter, “The Elder”) – Also called Boanerges or Son of Thunder. Son of Zebedee and Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and Jerusalem.
A fisherman. Preached in Jerusalem and Judea. Beheaded by Herod, A.D. 44 (?) (Ac. 12:1,2).
3. John (God is gracious, “The Beloved Disciple”). Also son of Thunder, brother of James, son of Zebedee and Salome. Home: Bethsaida, Capernaum and
Jerusalem. A fisherman. Wrote Gospel, I, II, III John and Revelation. Labored among the Churches in Asia Minor, according to tradition, especially at
Ephesus. Banished to Patmos, afterward freed, and died a natural death.

B. The Quiet Workers

1. Andrew (Manly, “The Personal Worker”) - Brother of Peter, son of Jonas or John. Home: Bethsaida and Capernaum. A fisherman. Originally a disciple
of John the Baptist. Tradition: Preached in Scythia, Greece and Asia Minor. Crucified on a St. Andrew’s Cross.
2. Philip (Lover of horses, “Philippos”) – Home: Bethsaida. Tradition says that he preached in Phrygia, and died a martyr at Hierapolis.
3. Bartholomew (Gift of God, Nathanael) – Son of Tolmai. Home: Cana of Galilee. According to tradition, he was a missionary to Armenia and was flayed
to death. Jerome says he wrote a gospel.
4. Thomas (Twin, “The Doubter”, Didymus) – Home: Galilee. Tradition says he labored in Parthia, Persia, and India. Suffering martyrdom near Madras, at
Mt. St. Thomas.
5. Matthew (Gift of God, Levi) – Son of Alphaeus. Home: Capernaum. A tax collector. Author of the Gospel Matthew. Tradition says he died a martyr in
Ethiopia.

C. The Little Known

1. James (“Supplanter”, The Less or Younger) – Son of Alphaeus, or Cleophas and Mary. Home: Galilee. Wrote epistle of James. According to tradition,
preached in Palestine and Egypt. Was crucified in Egypt.
2. Jude (“Man of heart”, Lebbaeus or Thaddaeus) – Brother of James “The Less” from Galilee. Tradition says he preached in Assyria and Persia and died a
martyr in Persia.
3. Simon (“Hearing”, The Cananaean or Zealot) – Home: Galilee. Tradition says he was crucified.

D. The Traitor

1. Judas (“The Traitor”, Iscariot) – Son of Simon. Home: Kerioth of Judea. He betrayed Jesus for thirty pieces of silver and afterwards hanged himself
(Mt. 26:14-16; 27:3-5).
Note that aside from the 12 disciples, Jesus had other circle of disciples.

Note: Aside from the 12 disciples, Jesus had other circle of disciples
 1. The masses, those present at itinerant preaching/teaching events and the large public feedings of the multitudes.
2. The 70 disciples and friends who were impacted by Jesus’ teachings and healings and were committed to following him (Anthony, 2001).

Module 5.3 Demands Involved on Becoming a Disciple of Christ

1. Allegiance to Christ (Lk. 12:8; Lk. 14:26-33)
A disciple should have personal allegiance to Christ, dedication to the cause of Christ, and a heart and mind to really follow Christ. He/she must be ready to
put the claims of Jesus first whatever the cost.

2. Readiness to leave family belongings (Mk. 10:21, 28; Lk. 18:28)

In some cases, the demand is a literal abandonment of home, business ties, and possessions only to answer the call for mission/to minister.

3. Bear the Cross (Matt.16:24; Mk. 8: 34-38; John 10:10)

To follow the way of the cross no matter how difficult it may be. The cross-shaped yoke of Christ is an instrument of liberation power to those who live
in it with him and learn the meekness and lowliness of heart that brings rest to the soul. “One cannot be a disciple of Christ without forfeiting things normally
sought in human life. Non-discipleship may be peaceful, comfortable but will not fulfill the highest human possibilities and take life on the highest plane”

Module 5.4. Two-fold Purpose of Discipleship (Mark 1:16-20)

1. To be with Christ
 To be associated with him
 To express loyalty to him
 To share the outward circumstances of their common life
 To have opportunities to learn from him

2. To send them forth (Matt. 28:18-20; Matt. 10:5-15)

 Jesus commissioned them to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing and teaching people to obey God.

Module 5.5. The Tasks of the Disciples (Mk. 3:14; 5:12; 9:38-41; Lk. 10:1-16)
1. Representatives of Christ to preach his message
2. To cast out demons
3. To heal the sick, to cure the lepers
4. To raise the dead
5. To give freely as they have received
6. To do as commanded in Matt. 28:18-20 (Elwood & Magdamo, 1971).