Section 2 Flashcards
How can Christians be disciples today?
- spread and act on Jesus’ teachings (salvation)
- bring people into the church -> ‘be shepherds of God’s flock’ (missionary work and evangelists)
- read and understand the scripture
- prayer and attend church (penance + supplication)
- charity work (Tearfund, salvation and solve suffering)
- reconciliation (stronger community)
- teach, preach
‘It is unreasonable to expect people to drop everything and follow Jesus today’
For:
- have to abandon livelihood (BUT we all had to make sacrifices and put God first like he sacrificed his Son - non-literalists could say we don’t have to literally drop everything)
- Christianity has already been established so there’s no reason
Against:
- Christianity wouldn’t exist today without disciples to spread the word (Mark: I will teach you to catch people)
- we must do it in order to follow the teachings and follow in the footsteps of the disciples
What does the Sending out of the Twelve mean for Christians today?
- teaches them what to do (set an example)
- teaches about the importance of faith over anything else
- if you have faith you will be rewarded
- encourages missionary/charity work (CAFOD)
- Christians should teach about repentance
- Christians should care and treat the sick
- spread the word at every opportunity
- don’t be distracted by possessions and conflict
Explain why the Sending out of the 12 is important for Christians today
- it teaches the importance of faith and how having faith and telling others about it is ultimately how we’re rewarded (e.g. with salvation)
- it encourages missionary and charity work (tearfund provide support to Christians all over the world) -> these acts strengthen Christianity and help as many people achieve salvation as possible
What is a parable?
A story Jesus told his followers to help them understand his teachings
Summary of the Parable of the Tenants
- tenants took over a vineyard and the owner would send a slave to do his chores
- the tenants would beat or kill these slaves so eventually the man sent his son assured they wouldn’t kill him
- but they did and so the man killed the tenants as revenge
Symbolism in the Parable of the Tenants
- Vineyard owner who lives far away = God the Father sending his son (Jesus)
- The vineyard = Earth where Jesus is sent
- Owners’ servants = prophets who came to bring God’s message to people in the past
- Owner’s son = Jesus sent as the final sacrifice
- Tenants who abuse and kill the servants = the Jewish authorities
- Capstone = people who are rejected on earth as unimportant but God will see their true worth and raise them to a high position in heaven
Why the Parable of the Tenants is important
- prohesises Jesus’ crucifixion
- shows the cost of discipleship -> Christians should be prepared to face abuse
- God will have his revenge
- God will recognise their sacrifice
Explain why the parable of the tenants might be difficult for modern Christians to accept
- it doesn’t guarantee we won’t face abuse despite having faith -> even if we are a Christian abuse is something we have to accept as a cost of our discipleship (but Marks’ original readers knew this)
- it tells us we have to wait to be seen as ‘important’ -> we might lead compassionate faithful lives but the reward for this is something that won’t arrive till after we die - we have to have faith without 100% knowing there will be a good outcome
- the same way in which the slaves had to be abused and killed first until revenge was served
Summary of the Parable of the Sower
- Jesus taught about different ways people react to God’s message
- only some of those who hear it will actually understand it + act on it (they will be rewarded)
- the Kingdom of God is reserved for select few and not everyone (only some seeds land on good soil)
Why the Parable of the Sower causes conflict
- Even if you are doing your best you won’t be rewarded unless you understand God’s teachings and absorb them fully
- Goes against Christ as forgiving as they think God’s kingdom welcomes everyone but it doesn’t according to the Parable
Symbolism of the Parable of the Sower
- the seed on the path = people who hear teachings but ignore them
- the seed on rocky places = people who start off very enthusiastic but get distracted by other things
- the seed among thorns = people who hear God’s word but everyday life stakes over
- the seed on good ground = people who hear the teachings + respond then pass it on to others
Challenges for the Parable of the Sower
- Christians may think they can’t achieve salvation
- Story could challenge Christian beliefs of attributes God’s kingdom (omnibenevolence/science)
- Could challenge your faith + beliefs
- Disciples don’t understand so how can others
- How can a Christian prevent the ‘seed’ falling in the path if they’re scattered randomly
- Contradicts Jesus’ other teachings because he acknowledges some people just won’t get it + won’t be saved
What does the Parable of the Sower teach about discipleship?
- don’t have to be perfect to be a disciple
- it doesn’t always go to plan -> there’ll be struggles but don’t give up as there will be a reward
- if you don’t understand ask for help
- stay focused + loyal
Do you think the Parable of the Sower helps Christians to understand the problems of discipleship?
- it shows them that not everything goes to plan which helps Christians understand that disciples face problems just like them
- because the disciples didn’t always understand the teachings so just because they are recognised by Jesus doesn’t mean they can comprehend everything he says therefore there can be pressure in them to do better
What is an ‘act of Christian service’?
An time served modelling the attitude of Jesus in service to God’s creation without receiving reward
What does Jesus’ teachings on service say about discipleship?
- they only do menial tasks
- not any better than others to be a do-gooder
- servant not the master who is most important
- cost if discipleship is high but the rewards are higher