Faith and discipleship II (AQA GCSE Religious Studies A): Revision Notes
Faith and discipleship II
This section of St Mark's Gospel explores both the difficulties and benefits of following Jesus as one of his disciples. Through examining specific stories and teachings, we can understand what it truly means to have faith and be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The cost and rewards of being a disciple
St Mark records Jesus teaching his followers about the serious commitment required to be his disciple, but also the incredible rewards that await those who make this commitment.
What discipleship requires
Jesus made it clear that following him would not be easy. He taught:
"Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." (Mark 8:34)
This teaching shows us that discipleship involves three key elements:
- Denying ourselves - putting Jesus and his teachings before our own desires
- Taking up our cross - being willing to face suffering and persecution for our faith
- Following Jesus - actively choosing to live according to his example and teachings
The metaphor of "taking up our cross" would have been particularly powerful to Jesus's first-century audience, as crucifixion was a common and feared form of execution. Jesus was asking his followers to be willing to face the ultimate sacrifice for their faith.
The rewards promised
Despite these challenges, Jesus also promised great rewards for those who make sacrifices for him and the gospel:
"Truly I tell you,' Jesus replied, 'no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age... (Mark 10:29-30)
This passage teaches us that whilst discipleship may require giving up important things in our lives, Jesus promises that the rewards - both in this life and eternal life - far outweigh any sacrifices made.
Peter's denials
The story of Peter's denial demonstrates how even the most devoted disciples can struggle with their faith when facing difficult circumstances.
Jesus's prediction
Before his arrest, Jesus warned Peter about what would happen:
"Jesus answered, 'today - yes, tonight - before the rooster crows twice you yourself will disown me three times." (Mark 14:30)
This prediction shows Jesus's knowledge of human weakness, even amongst his closest followers.
The fulfilment of the prediction
When Jesus was arrested and put on trial, Peter did exactly what Jesus had predicted:
"[Peter] swore to them, 'I don't know this man you're talking about.' Immediately the rooster crowed the second time. Then Peter remembered the word Jesus had spoken to him: 'Before the rooster crows twice you will disown me three times.' And he broke down and wept. (Mark 14:71-72)
Important truths about discipleship revealed in Peter's story:
- Even the strongest disciples can fail when tested
- Jesus understands human weakness and still chooses people as disciples
- True discipleship involves recognising our failures and feeling genuine remorse
- Christians today can take comfort knowing that Jesus chose Peter despite knowing he would deny him
The woman with a haemorrhage
This story demonstrates the power of genuine faith in Jesus and shows that healing comes through trusting in him completely.
The woman's situation
St Mark describes a woman who had been suffering from bleeding for twelve years. She had spent all her money on doctors but had only gotten worse. This shows us her desperation and the hopelessness of her situation from a human perspective.
Her act of faith
When the woman heard about Jesus, she took a remarkable step of faith:
"When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, 'If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed.' Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering... (Mark 5:27-29)
Worked Example: Aspects of True Faith
The woman's action demonstrates several key aspects of genuine faith:
Step 1: She believed in Jesus's power to heal - demonstrating trust in his divine authority
Step 2: She took action based on her belief - faith without action is incomplete
Step 3: She approached Jesus despite social barriers - her condition would have made her ritually unclean, yet she overcame this obstacle
Jesus's response
Jesus's reaction to her healing shows the importance he places on faith:
"He said to her, 'Daughter, your faith has healed you. Go in peace and be freed from your suffering.' (Mark 5:34)
Key lessons from Jesus's response:
- Jesus values faith above all else
- Faith in Jesus brings both physical and spiritual healing
- Jesus treats all people with dignity and compassion
- True faith results in peace and freedom
Modern applications
These passages from St Mark's Gospel continue to speak to Christians today. They show that:
- Following Jesus requires commitment and may involve hardship
- Even faithful Christians sometimes struggle and fail
- Jesus understands human weakness and offers forgiveness
- Faith in Jesus has the power to transform lives completely
- The rewards of discipleship far outweigh any costs
Key Points to Remember:
- Discipleship requires denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Jesus - but the rewards are far greater than any sacrifice
- Even devoted disciples like Peter can fail when tested, showing that Jesus chooses imperfect people and offers forgiveness
- The woman with the haemorrhage demonstrates that genuine faith in Jesus has the power to bring healing and transformation
- These stories show both the challenges and incredible rewards of following Jesus
- Christians today can learn from these examples about what true faith and discipleship look like in practice