Section 2 Flashcards
1
Q
How can Christians be disciples today?
A
- 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
2
Q
‘It is unreasonable to expect people to drop everything and follow Jesus today’
A
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
3
Q
What does the Sending out of the Twelve mean for Christians today?
A
- 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
4
Q
Explain why the Sending out of the 12 is important for Christians today
A
- 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
5
Q
What is a parable?
A
A story Jesus told his followers to help them understand his teachings
6
Q
Summary of the Parable of the Tenants
A
- 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
7
Q
Symbolism in the Parable of the Tenants
A
- 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
8
Q
Why the Parable of the Tenants is important
A
- 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
9
Q
Explain why the parable of the tenants might be difficult for modern Christians to accept
A
- 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
10
Q
Summary of the Parable of the Sower
A
- 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)
11
Q
Why the Parable of the Sower causes conflict
A
- 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
12
Q
Symbolism of the Parable of the Sower
A
- 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
13
Q
Challenges for the Parable of the Sower
A
- 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
14
Q
What does the Parable of the Sower teach about discipleship?
A
- 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
15
Q
Do you think the Parable of the Sower helps Christians to understand the problems of discipleship?
A
- 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
16
Q
What is an ‘act of Christian service’?
A
An time served modelling the attitude of Jesus in service to God’s creation without receiving reward
17
Q
What does Jesus’ teachings on service say about discipleship?
A
- 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
18
Q
Importance of Jesus’ teachings on service
A
- shows that the main way to be recognised by God is to serve, as ‘whoever wants to become great (..) must be your servant’
- disciples learn that the reward isn’t the important part but serving is
19
Q
What does Jesus’ teachings on service teach about service?
A
- says that service should be the main goal not becoming powerful from its rewards or feeling arrogant
- Jesus himself ‘did not come to be served, but to serve’, so we shouldn’t expect to be held higher just for following his teachings
20
Q
What does Jesus’ teachings on service teach Christians today?
A
- it teaches that we should do acts of service because we want to be a good disciple and help people, not because we ourselves might benefit from it
- to be a good christian is to do as much food as possible -> ‘whoever wants to be first must be slave of all’
21
Q
Explain why Jesus’ ideas about service may cause problems for Christians today (5)
A
- because it’s hard to be willing to sacrifice everything to help people and even those you don’t like -> in Mark Jesus says ‘whoever wants to be first must be slave of all’
- this shows how we must be willing to be at service for everyone in order to receive the best seats in heaven
- because they involve not expecting a reward and showing arrogance
22
Q
What did Jesus tell the rich man to do to gain eternal life?
A
To give up everything he has including his wealth and follow the commandments
23
Q
What does the Story of the Rich Man say about the cost of discipleship?
A
- it is rewarded a hundred times over in heaven
- it is not easy nor is it for everyone
- it requires a lot of faith/trust in God
24
Q
Why does the Story of the Rich Man cause problems for some Christians today?
A
- some people work hard for their health so how is it fair to make them get rid of it
- what if the person uses their wealth for good (eg. charity work)
- we shouldn’t have to suffer in order to achieve salvation
- Jesus allowed a potential follower walk away without helping him
25
‘There’s nothing wrong with being a rich Christian’
For:
- can be used for good (charity work) -> helps more achieve salvation (Sending out of the 12)
- wealth is something people work hard for
- God accepts everyone
Against:
- being rich can distract you from what truly matters (God)
- it shows you aren’t truly dedicated -> goes against Jesus’ teachings - Mark: ‘easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God (BUT there are many ways to salvation)
- discipleship comes with a cost
- it is easier to have faith when you don’t have sacrifices to make like Jesus
26
Summary of the Spirit Cast Out of the Boy
- the disciples and boy’s father had doubts the boy could be healed by a miracle
- Jesus rebuked this lack of faith and the father told him that he believes
- Jesus cured the boy of evil
27
Why did the disciples fail to cast the spirit out of the boy?
They had a lack of faith in their ability and so had a lack of faith in God (that’s who they got their authority from)
28
What does the Spirit Cast Out of the Boy teach about faith and prayer?
- it’s the only way to overcome evil and be saved
- lack of faith in God results in lack of reward (eg salvation or miracles)
29
How does the Spirit Cast Out of the Boy cause problems for Christians today?
- it’s hard to have faith in a world full of suffering
- so many are still in pain despite having faith
30
Significance of the Spirit Cast Out of the Boy
- it teaches the disciples that faith is the most integral part of discipleship
- shows Christians that it’s okay for your faith to be challenged as the disciples also went through it
- teaches that the disciples did not always have faith and they too struggled with discipleship
31
‘Stories about demons have no relevance for Christians today’
For:
- demons can be scientifically proven to not be real -> Mark: ‘he foams at the mouth’ symptoms of an epileptic fit which shows the demons were actually disease
- no Christians will suffer from ‘demons’ now (BUT no one can say for sure - paranormal activity + exorcisms)
- Christians feel less connected to these stories -> don’t apply to them
Against:
- demons can come in the form of illness due to sin -> the healing miracles that come from this also prove Jesus’ omnipotence and compassion (EVEN IF they are proven to be diseases, diseases still come from sin)
- they still teach important lessons (eg. to keep faith + you’ll be healed)
Non-literalists might say they do because we should take demons as symbolism for the result of sinning + going against god
32
Summary of Peter’s Denial
- the servant claims Peter is a companion of Jesus, but he denies it
- the servant tells others that Peter is a companion of Jesus but he denies it again
- After his 3rd denial, the prophecy is fulfilled and Peter cries
33
If Peter told the truth about being Jesus’ companion..
He’d be executed with Jesus and Christianity wouldn’t have developed because he played an important role in it
34
Problems Peter’s Denial causes for Christians today
- if Peter couldn’t have proud faith how can we (persecution)
- Peter suffered no punishment even ending up as the first Pope and saint -> tried to save himself instead of standing up for Jesus
35
How does Peter’s Denial help Christians today?
- it’s okay to struggle as long as you get there in the end
- you will grow in spiritual strength + learn from mistakes
36
Significance of Peter’s Denial
- most favoured disciple
- he doesn’t understand
- he tells the truth
- he suffers
- he is rewarded
37
Women in 1st century Palestine
- outcasts
- patriarchal society
- no husband = no protection
38
Stories of women in the ministry of Jesus
1. A woman (gentile) who was seeking help from Jesus as her daughter had an evil spirit in her -> proved her faith
2. A woman poured expensive perfume on Jesus’ body to prepare it ahead of time for burial -> put Jesus before wealth
3. Mary + Mary Magdalene helped Jesus in Galilee and watched as his body was put to rest -> servant to Jesus
4. The Marys brought spices to anoint Jesus’ body + they were told to spread the news of the resurrection -> spread the news like apostles
39
‘Jesus ensured women had a key part to play in his ministry’
For:
- he made sure they wouldn’t get attacked for making sacrifices for him (Mark: ‘she has done a fine and beautiful thing for me’ + ‘leave her alone’)
- gave them the role of sharing the news of his resurrection (Mark: ‘give this message to his disciples’) - BUT they were only the messengers who told the disciples, the disciple were the ones that truly spread the message
Against:
- all of his 12 disciples were men -> if he wanted them to be involved he should’ve had female disciples as a more relatable guide for them
CONVINCING because disciples were considered the main teachers + guides after Jesus’ death so the fact no women were involved shows that Jesus actively seek to make them part of his ministry
40
Oscar Romero (Archbishop of San Salvador)
- did a lot of parish work like visiting prisons and working with others in the church to provide help and food to the poor
- challenges he faced: denounced in the media daily and sent death threats
- his faith inspired him by spreading the teaching of love your neighbour as yourself and also believing that Christ is found in those living in poverty so we should help those suffering
41
Challenges of discipleship for Christians today
- the modern world revolves a lot around material items and there are distractions everywhere -> can be hard to sacrifice it all
- there is persecution all over the world
- rejection from society -> more diverse world + less faith
- Christian message of love and forgiveness -> hard to spread the word when there is so much Christian persecution
- harder to do missionary work
42
How to be a disciple today
- missionary + charity work (CAFOD)
- go to church
- learning and understanding the significance of the teachings and prayer
- reconciliation
- profession (priest,teacher,medic)
- set a good example
- self-sacrifice -> ‘take up his cross’ be like Jesus
43
Rewards of discipleship
- salvation -> eternal life
- reward of helping others
- healthy/positive lifestyle
- community -> meet new people
- evangelising helps others achieve salvation too
44
Explain why discipleship could be challenging for Christians in the 21st Century (5)
- because it requires a lot of self-sacrifice which can be impossible in the modern world -> in Mark it says a disciple should ‘deny himself’ if distractions however, the current world revolves around material possessions making it challenging
- because the Christian message of love and forgiveness can be hard to preach nowadays -> there’s so much suffering from acts like bullying making it harder to preach the gospel
