7 Discipleship Insights from Mark

‘Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it’ – Mark 16:20 (NIV)

7 leading insights into discipleship from Mark!

1) Discipleship must be in community! The very first thing Jesus did was to call four men to follow him. That group of five friends was the foundation and epicentre of everything God has subsequently done in forming the church of billions that exists in heaven and on earth today.

2) Discipleship takes time – a long time!

3) Discipleship is directly dependent on the measure you use. ‘The measure you use is measured to you’ (Mark 4:24-NIV). If you come to Jesus with your coffee cup, he’ll fill up your coffee cup. If you come with your swimming pool, he’ll fill up your swimming pool.

4) Disciples make mistakes! The Twelve Apostles lived with Jesus for three years, and even then, they all messed up!

5) Disciples become better disciples by learning from their mistakes. The leading apostle Peter made several serious mistakes (Mark 8:32-33 and 14:66-72), but he learned from them and became a great leader.

6) Discipleship involves difficult challenges! Look at the way Jesus challenged the Twelve: ‘Are you still so dull?’ (Mark 7:18-NIV), ‘Do you still not understand?’ (Mark 8:17-NIV). Sometimes Jesus has to use strong words to get us to where he’s leading us.

7) Discipleship is not endless failure; it's about coming into all that Jesus has brought and is establishing on this earth. ‘Truly I tell you there are some standing here, (some reading this right now), who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power’ (Mark 9:1-NIV).

We disciples are apprentices in our heavenly Father’s family business of the kingdom. There couldn’t be a greater calling or privilege.