Mark's Gospel: The Nature of Discipleship
This topic explores the nature of discipleship as presented in Mark's Gospel, focusing on the demands, challenges, and characteristics of following Jesus, including the role of women and contemporary applications of these teachings.
Topic Overview
In Mark's Gospel, discipleship is a central theme that explores what it means to follow Jesus. Mark presents discipleship as a costly, demanding journey that requires total commitment, sacrifice, and trust. The disciples are portrayed as fallible humans who often misunderstand Jesus, yet they are called to share in his mission. This topic is crucial for understanding Christian beliefs about leadership, service, and the nature of faith.
Mark emphasises that true discipleship involves following Jesus even when it leads to suffering. Key passages include the call of the first disciples (Mark 1:16-20), the sending out of the Twelve (Mark 6:7-13), and Jesus' teachings on servanthood (Mark 10:35-45). The disciples' failures—such as Peter's denial and their inability to stay awake in Gethsemane—highlight that discipleship is not about perfection but about perseverance and reliance on God's grace.
This topic fits into the wider Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies course by linking to Christian beliefs about salvation, the Kingdom of God, and the nature of Jesus. Understanding discipleship helps students analyse how Christians today apply these teachings in their lives, such as through missionary work, charity, and leadership in the church. It also connects to ethical themes like social justice and humility.
Key Concepts
Core ideas you must understand for this topic
- →Cost of discipleship: Following Jesus requires self-denial, taking up one's cross, and being willing to suffer (Mark 8:34-38).
- →Servant leadership: True greatness in God's kingdom comes from serving others, not seeking power (Mark 10:42-45).
- →Failure and forgiveness: The disciples often fail, but Jesus restores them, showing that discipleship involves repentance and grace (e.g., Peter's denial and restoration).
- →Mission and authority: Jesus sends out the Twelve with authority to preach, heal, and cast out demons, demonstrating that disciples share in his work (Mark 6:7-13).
- →Understanding and misunderstanding: The disciples frequently misunderstand Jesus' identity and mission, highlighting the need for faith and revelation (e.g., Mark 4:35-41, Mark 8:14-21).
What You Need to Demonstrate
Key skills and knowledge for this topic
- The call of the first disciples (Mark 1:14–20, 2:13–17) and the immediate nature of following Jesus.
- The sending out of the Twelve (Mark 6:7–13) and the responsibility to preach and serve.
- The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1–12) and the potential cost of discipleship.
- The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–20) and different types of Christians.
- The story of the rich man (Mark 10:17–31) and the command to sell all things.
- The spirit cast out of the boy (Mark 9:14–29) and the problems of discipleship.
- Jesus’ teachings on service (Mark 10:41–45).
- Peter’s denial (Mark 14:66–72) as an example and warning.
Marking Points
Key points examiners look for in your answers
- The call of the first disciples (Mark 1:14–20, 2:13–17) and the immediate nature of following Jesus.
- The sending out of the Twelve (Mark 6:7–13) and the responsibility to preach and serve.
- The Parable of the Tenants (Mark 12:1–12) and the potential cost of discipleship.
- The Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:1–20) and different types of Christians.
- The story of the rich man (Mark 10:17–31) and the command to sell all things.
- The spirit cast out of the boy (Mark 9:14–29) and the problems of discipleship.
- Jesus’ teachings on service (Mark 10:41–45).
- Peter’s denial (Mark 14:66–72) as an example and warning.
- The role of women in the ministry of Jesus (Mark 7:25–30, 14:3–9, 15:40–47, 16:1–11).
- Contemporary examples of discipleship (Dietrich Bonhoeffer, Oscar Romero, or Mother Teresa).
Examiner Tips
Expert advice for maximising your marks
- 💡Ensure you can reference specific passages from Mark's Gospel for each sub-topic.
- 💡Be prepared to compare the demands of discipleship in Mark's Gospel with non-religious views.
- 💡Use the command word 'Evaluate' to construct a sustained line of reasoning with a justified conclusion.
- 💡Focus on the significance of these teachings for Christians today.
- 💡Use specific references: When answering questions, quote or reference key passages (e.g., Mark 1:16-20, Mark 8:34-35, Mark 10:45). This shows detailed knowledge and gains higher marks.
- 💡Analyse the portrayal of disciples: Don't just describe events; explain how Mark presents the disciples' strengths and weaknesses, and what this teaches about discipleship. For example, discuss how their failures highlight human frailty and God's grace.
- 💡Connect to modern application: In evaluation questions, link the nature of discipleship to how Christians today respond to Jesus' call. Consider examples like missionaries, charity workers, or ordinary believers living out their faith in daily life.
Common Mistakes
Pitfalls to avoid in your exam answers
- Failing to link the textual passages to the broader concept of 'discipleship'.
- Ignoring the divergent interpretations of the Kingdom of God (realised vs. future).
- Treating the stories as purely historical accounts rather than teachings on the nature of discipleship.
- Failing to provide specific examples of contemporary discipleship as required by the specification.
- Misconception: Discipleship is easy and only about believing in Jesus. Correction: Mark shows that discipleship involves sacrifice, persecution, and a radical change in lifestyle, as seen in the rich young ruler's refusal to give up his wealth (Mark 10:17-31).
- Misconception: The disciples are perfect role models. Correction: Mark portrays them as flawed—they argue about greatness, fail to understand parables, and abandon Jesus at his arrest. Their weaknesses make them relatable and show that God uses imperfect people.
- Misconception: Discipleship is only for the first-century followers. Correction: Mark's Gospel is written for a persecuted Christian community, and the call to discipleship applies to all believers. The demands of discipleship are timeless, requiring commitment and trust in Jesus.
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions students ask about this topic
Before You Start
Prior knowledge that will help with this topic
- •Basic knowledge of the structure of Mark's Gospel and its purpose as a Gospel written for a Roman audience facing persecution.
- •Understanding of Jesus' identity in Mark, including the 'Messianic Secret' and the significance of titles like 'Son of God' and 'Son of Man'.
- •Familiarity with the historical context of first-century Palestine, including Jewish expectations of the Messiah and Roman occupation.
Likely Command Words
How questions on this topic are typically asked
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