Discipleship: Problems

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Discipleship Problems
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DiscipleshipProblems
The spirit cast out of the boy (914-29)

• The disciples and teachers of the law were
  arguing.
• Jesus asked What are you arguing about?
• A man said I brought my son to you because he
  has an evil spirit in him. I asked the disciples
  to drive the spirit out but they could not
• Jesus was annoyed How unbelieving you people
  are. Bring the boy to me.
• When the spirit saw Jesus it made the boy have a
  fit.
• Jesus asked the father How long has he been like
  this?
• The Father replied, Ever since he was a child.
  Many times the evil spirit has tried to kill him
  by throwing him in the fire and into water. Have
  pity and help us if you can.
• Jesus said, If you yourself can! Everything is
  possible for the person who has faith.

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DiscipleshipProblems
The spirit cast out of the boycont (914-29)

• The father cried out I do have faith, but not
  enough, help me to have more!
• Jesus commanded the spirit, I order you to come
  out of the boy and never go into him again.
• The spirit screamed and threw the boy into a fit.
• Everyone said, He is dead.
• Jesus took the boy by the hand and helped him to
  stand up.
• The disciples asked Why couldnt we drive the
  spirit out?
• Jesus answered, Only prayer can drive this kind
  out. Nothing else can.

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DiscipleshipProblems
This means

• The disciples could not cast out the spirit
  because they did not trust Jesus completely.
• They did not understand the meaning of the
  self-sacrifice.

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DiscipleshipProblems
The teaching of Jesus on service (1041-45)

• The 10 disciples were angry with James and John
  (They had asked Jesus to sit in the places of
  honour.)
• Jesus said to them
• If one of you wants to be great, he must be the
  servant of the rest and if one of you wants to
  be first, he must be the slave of all. For even
  the Son of Man did not come to be served he
  came to serve and to his life to redeem many
  people.

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DiscipleshipProblems
This means

• Discipleship requires that you are the servant of
  all you must give up your life for others.
• Serving Jesus means serving other people.
• Disciples must give up their own interests
• Even Jesus did not come to be served. His job was
  to die for the people.
• The most important people in Gods kingdom are
  those who do most to help others.
• This passage highlights the problem that James
  and John dont understand what discipleship and
  service involves.

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DiscipleshipProblems
The widows mite (1241-44)

• Jesus was in the Temple, at the treasury.
• He was watching people drop in their money.
• Many rich people gave a lot of money.
• A poor widow dropped in 2 copper coins.
• Jesus said to his disciples
• I tell you that this poor widow put more in the
  offering box than all the others. For the others
  put in what they had to spare of their riches
  she poor as she is, put in all she had she
  gave all she had to live on.

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DiscipleshipProblems
This means

• True discipleship can not be done in a
  half-hearted way.
• We must give all we have in the service of God
  and other people.
• The widow is praised because she gave more than
  anyone else to God (all she had to live on.)
• Jesus teachers that a person who commits
  everything they have to the service of God is
  more precious to him than someone who has
  everything but is not committed.
• Disciples have to reject societys view that
  those who give lots of money good people.

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DiscipleshipProblems
Failure of the Disciples in Gethsemane
(1427-42)
Jesus predicts Peters denial

• After the last supper Jesus said to the
  disciples, All of you will run away and leave
  me. God will kill the shepherd and the sheep will
  be scattered.
• Peter answered I will never leave you, even
  though all the rest will.
• Jesus told Peter I tell you that before the
  cock crows twice tonight, you will say 3 times
  that you do not know me.
• Peter answered, I will never say that, even if I
  have to die with you.
• All the other disciples said the same thing.

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DiscipleshipProblems
Failure of the Disciples in Gethsemane
(1427-42)
Jesus prays in Gethsemane

• Jesus and the disciples went to the garden of
  Gethsemane.
• He told them, Sit here while I pray
• He took Peter, James and John with him.
• Jesus said to them, Stay here and keep watch.
• Jesus threw himself on the ground and prayed.
• Father take this cup of suffering away from me.
  Yet not what I want but what you want.
• He returned to find the 3 disciples asleep.
• He said to Peter Simon are you asleep? Werent
  you able to stay awake for one hour?

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DiscipleshipProblems
Jesus prays in Gethsemane cont

• Jesus said to them Keep watch and pray that you
  will not fall into temptation
• The spirit is willing but the flesh is weak.
• Jesus went away once more a prayed.
• When he returned he found the disciples asleep
  again.
• They did not know what to say to him.
• When he came back the third time, he said to
  them
• Are you still sleeping and resting? Enough! The
  house has come! Look, the Son of Man is now
  being handed over to the power of sinner. Get
  up, let us go. Look here is the man who is
  betraying me.

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DiscipleshipProblems
This means

• The disciples fail in their duty to be Jesus
  close friends. The fail to put Jesus needs before
  their own
• They do not deny self.
• Jesus predicts their failure.
• In Gethsemane Jesus says The spirit is willing
  but the flesh is weak.
• He knew that they wanted to help him but because
  they are human, they failed.
• Marks readers can take comfort from Jesus
  example to go through with something in spite of
  their fear
• If they fail there is also comfort in knowing
  that the disciples were forgiven for failing
  Jesus.

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DiscipleshipProblems
Peters Denial
(1466-72)

• Peter was in the courtyard.
• The high priests servant woman said, You too
  were with Jesus of Nazareth.
• Peter answered, I dont understand what youre
  talking about.
• Then a cock crowed.
• The servant woman told the bystanders, He is one
  of them.
• Peter denied it again.
• Later the bystanders accused Peter, You cant
  deny that you are one of them, because you too
  are from Galilee.
• Peter answered, I swear that I am telling you
  the truth! May God punish me if I am not! I do
  not know the man you are talking about!
• A cock crowed and Peter remembered Jesus
  prediction.
• Peter broke down and cried.

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DiscipleshipProblems
This means

• Despite his promise at the last supper, Peter
  could ot face the cost of discipleship.
• This gives hope to Christians today.
• Peter became the leader of the Church after the
  Resurrection.