Ministry - Jesus Calls Ordinary People to Be His Disciples

Hey everyone! Welcome to your study notes for this really interesting part of Jesus' ministry. Ever feel like you need to be a superstar to do something important? Well, this chapter is all about how Jesus chose completely normal, everyday people to be his closest followers and change the world. We'll explore who He called, why his choices were so surprising, and what it really means to be a disciple.


Understanding this is super important because it's the foundation of the Christian church and shows us a lot about Jesus' values. Let's dive in!

1. What Does "Disciple" Even Mean?

Before we meet the people Jesus called, we need to know what we're talking about. The word disciple basically means a "learner" or a "student."

But it's more than just sitting in a classroom! In Jesus' time, a disciple was like an apprentice. They didn't just learn what their teacher said; they followed their teacher everywhere, learned from their actions, and tried to live their life in the same way. It was a full-time commitment!

Think of it like this: You can be a fan of a famous chef by watching their cooking shows. But to be their apprentice (their disciple), you'd work in their kitchen every day, learning their techniques, and hoping to one day cook like them.

Quick Review: What is a Disciple?

- A learner or student.
- Someone who follows a teacher to learn their way of life.
- A deep, personal commitment, not just a casual interest.


2. The First Call: Ordinary Fishermen (Mark 1:16-20)

So, who were the first people Jesus picked for his team? You might expect him to choose scholars or religious leaders. But he didn't.

The Scene: Jesus is walking by the Sea of Galilee, a large lake where lots of fishing happened.

The Call of Simon (Peter) and Andrew
  • Who were they? Brothers who were fishermen. This was a tough, physical, working-class job. They were ordinary guys.
  • What did Jesus say? "Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people." (Mark 1:17)
  • What did they do? The Bible says they immediately left their fishing nets and followed him.
The Call of James and John
  • Who were they? Another pair of brothers, also fishermen, who were in a boat with their father.
  • What did they do? Just like the first two, when Jesus called them, they immediately left their boat and their father to follow.
Let's Break That Down:

This story shows us three key things about Jesus' call:

  1. It's a call to ordinary people. Jesus didn't look for qualifications or impressive CVs. He saw potential in hardworking, everyday people.
  2. It demands an immediate response. They didn't say, "Let me think about it" or "Can I finish this last catch?" They went right away. This shows their commitment and trust.
  3. It gives a new mission. The phrase "fish for people" is a brilliant analogy. Jesus took a skill they already had (fishing) and gave it a new, spiritual purpose: to gather people into the Kingdom of God.
Key Takeaway

Discipleship, as shown here, starts with a personal call from Jesus to ordinary people. It requires leaving the old life behind and embracing a new mission with immediate trust.


3. A Shocking Choice: The Tax Collector (Mark 2:13-17)

If you thought calling fishermen was unexpected, this next one was truly scandalous at the time!

Who was Levi?

Jesus calls a man named Levi (also known as Matthew). His job? A tax collector.

Don't worry if this doesn't sound like a big deal at first! In that society, tax collectors were hated for two main reasons:

  • They were seen as traitors. They worked for the Roman Empire, the enemy who occupied their land.
  • They were seen as corrupt sinners. They often cheated people by demanding more tax money than was required and keeping the extra for themselves.

Basically, Levi was a social outcast. No respectable religious person would want to be seen with him.

The Call and the Dinner Party

Jesus sees Levi at his tax booth and says the same simple words: "Follow me." And Levi gets up, leaves everything, and follows him. He even throws a big dinner party for Jesus, inviting all his friends—who were also "tax collectors and sinners."

The Big Controversy

The religious leaders (the Pharisees) saw this and were horrified. They asked Jesus' disciples, "Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?"

Jesus' reply is one of the most famous things he ever said:

"It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners." (Mark 2:17)

This is a powerful analogy. A doctor's job is to go to sick people to heal them. Jesus saw his mission in the same way: to go to spiritually "sick" people (those seen as sinners) to save them. He didn't come for people who thought they were already perfect; he came for those who knew they needed help.

Key Takeaway

Jesus' call is for everyone, regardless of their past or social status. He actively seeks out the rejected and the outcast. This shows that discipleship is about transformation and grace, not about being perfect from the beginning.


4. From "Disciple" to "Apostle"

As more and more people followed Jesus, he chose a special group of twelve from among his disciples to be his core team. These were called the Apostles.

Disciple vs. Apostle: What's the difference?

  • Disciple: A student or follower (there were many disciples).
  • Apostle: Means "one who is sent." It's a specific role given to the 12.

Memory Aid: Think Apostle = they are sent Away on a mission.

The Appointment of the Twelve (Mark 3:13-19)

Jesus chose the twelve apostles for three specific reasons:

  1. That they might be with him: To learn from him directly and build a relationship.
  2. To send them out to preach: To share his message.
  3. To have authority to drive out demons: To continue his work with his power.
Their Mission (Mark 6:7-13)

Later, Jesus sent them out on their first mission. He gave them instructions:

  • Go in pairs for support.
  • Travel light (rely on God, not money or supplies).
  • Preach repentance (tell people to turn back to God).
  • Heal the sick and continue his work.

This shows the next step of discipleship: after learning from the teacher, the student is sent out to put what they've learned into practice.

Did you know?

The number 12 is highly symbolic. There were 12 tribes of ancient Israel. By choosing 12 apostles, Jesus was showing that he was building a new community for God.

Key Takeaway

An apostle is a disciple who is given a special mission and the authority to carry it out. The goal of being "with Jesus" was to prepare them to be "sent out" by Jesus.

Chapter Summary: At a Glance

Let's wrap it all up. Here are the most important things to remember from this chapter:

  • Jesus calls ordinary people: He didn't choose the powerful or famous, but humble fishermen and even a hated tax collector.
  • A disciple is a learner: Someone who commits to following Jesus' entire way of life.
  • The call requires a radical response: The first disciples left their jobs, boats, and even family immediately.
  • The call has a purpose: To be with Jesus, and then to be sent out with a new mission (to "fish for people").
  • Jesus' mission is inclusive: His famous "doctor for the sick" analogy shows he came to save sinners and outcasts, not just the "good" people.
  • Apostles are "sent ones": A special group of 12 disciples chosen to lead and carry on Jesus' work with his authority.