Mark's Gospel: The Nature of Discipleship — Edexcel GCSE Religious Studies
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Mark's Gospel: The Nature of Discipleship explained
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.
What to demonstrate
- 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.
Show all 10 objectives
- 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).
Mark's Gospel: The Nature of Discipleship exam tips
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
- →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).
Marking Points
- 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
- 💡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
- 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
What does Mark's Gospel teach about the cost of discipleship?
Mark's Gospel emphasises that discipleship is costly and requires total commitment. Jesus teaches that his followers must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow him, even if it leads to suffering or death (Mark 8:34-35). The rich young ruler's story (Mark 10:17-31) shows that wealth can be a barrier, and the disciples leaving everything (Mark 1:16-20) illustrates the radical sacrifice expected. Mark also highlights that true greatness comes through service, not power (Mark 10:42-45).
Why are the disciples portrayed as failures in Mark's Gospel?
Mark portrays the disciples as failures to show that human weakness does not disqualify someone from being a disciple. They misunderstand Jesus' teachings (Mark 4:13, 8:14-21), argue about greatness (Mark 9:33-34), and abandon Jesus at his arrest (Mark 14:50). Peter even denies knowing Jesus (Mark 14:66-72). However, these failures highlight that discipleship is about relying on God's grace and forgiveness. The angel at the empty tomb tells the women to 'go and tell his disciples and Peter' (Mark 16:7), showing that failure is not final.
How does Mark's Gospel define true greatness?
Mark defines true greatness as servanthood, not status or power. In Mark 10:42-45, Jesus contrasts worldly rulers who 'lord it over' others with his followers who must be servants. He says, 'For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.' This teaching is reinforced when Jesus washes the disciples' feet (though only in John's Gospel) and when he tells the disciples that the first will be last (Mark 9:35). True greatness in God's kingdom is measured by humility and service.
What is the significance of the call of the first disciples in Mark 1:16-20?
The call of the first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) is significant because it shows the immediate and total response required in discipleship. Jesus simply says, 'Follow me,' and they leave their nets and families without hesitation. This demonstrates that discipleship demands priority—Jesus must come before livelihood and relationships. It also establishes the pattern for all disciples: they are called to become 'fishers of people,' meaning they will share in Jesus' mission of spreading the Kingdom of God. The passage sets the tone for the costly, yet rewarding, nature of following Jesus.
How does Mark's Gospel show that discipleship involves mission?
Mark shows that discipleship involves mission through the sending out of the Twelve in Mark 6:7-13. Jesus gives them authority over evil spirits and instructs them to preach repentance, heal the sick, and cast out demons. They are to travel lightly, relying on God's provision, and shake off dust from towns that reject them. This passage demonstrates that disciples are not just followers but active participants in Jesus' ministry. It also prepares them for the post-resurrection mission to spread the Gospel to all nations. The disciples' failures later show that mission is not about perfection but about trusting in God's power.
What does Mark's Gospel say about the relationship between discipleship and suffering?
Mark's Gospel closely links discipleship with suffering. Jesus predicts his own suffering and death three times (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34) and teaches that his followers must also be willing to suffer. In Mark 8:34-35, he says, 'Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.' The cross was a symbol of Roman execution, so this is a stark call to endure persecution. The disciples' experiences—such as being sent out with no provisions (Mark 6:8-9) and facing opposition—reinforce that suffering is part of the journey. However, Mark also promises that those who lose their lives for Jesus and the gospel will save them (Mark 8:35), pointing to eternal reward.